EXPANDING COMIC BOOK VARIANT COVERS

A lot of you may think that there are already too many variant covers in the world of comic books. They are going to happen regardless so these will be what should happen, at least an opinion of what should. Although the money value of these comic books may have dropped due to the over usage of the variant cover gimmick, the personal value is a matter of opinion. The variants can make for unique covers as well as a collision of worlds that may or may not happen in other mediums. There is the Black & White covers, or simply an alternate artists take, and even a blank variant cover. Which most take to comic book conventions as to get a choice artist to render them a truly unique cover. Themed variants with an example being the recent Steampunk style making its way onto the covers. Cross-Promotions have also made their way into the variant cover scene with the likes of Lego and Scribblenauts. Celebrations usually join in on the fun too, recently Superman having variants that included a different era and the style of that time to celebrate the original superheroes 75th Anniversary. Will be interesting to see what happens this year with Batman75 celebrations.

Now some of these may or may not have already happened in the past, or perhaps are likely to never happen due to different publishers owning the rights to certain characters or what not. If they have happened then perhaps they could be done again, but with fresh talent or a different crop of characters appearing on the covers. A few ideas that are obvious, while others are perhaps truly just the opinion of one. Here is a list of comic book variant covers that should happen...

LEGO DC UNIVERSE

This may have happened, but have come up short in a search for actual variant covers that weren't fan-made. If it hasn't, then it should. DC Comics did beat Marvel to the Lego mash-up with the video games and movie. Marvel had a run of Lego variant covers, DC Comics should join the club.

LIVE ACTION SHOTS

Of course these have been done on even standard covers, but these could be done in other ways that make them more intriguing or unique from what has been done before. Perhaps actors and actresses who have portrayed the comic characters in movies and television reliving their past roles on the variant covers. Even use them as part of the promotion of an upcoming movie. Example would be having the stars of the Man Of Steel follow-up appear full costume on the covers. Batfleck in all his glory gracing the variant covers of the Bat-titles, Henry Cavill reprising Superman on the Kryptonian's  titles, Gal Gadot on the Wonder Woman cover, and of course a group shot for Justice League.

ANIMATED PARODIES

MAD Magazine may have the lead in the parody department, at DC Comics mostly but they do cross-over for the films and shows. Skottie Young's Baby Marvel covers are amazing as well. This however is referring to the animated television shows that poked fun or have paid homage to the comic book world. Shows like The Simpson's, South Park, Family Guy and American Dad. Some are owned by other publishers, but if they worked out a deal, why not? The target audience is generally the same, and they could make for some humorous covers. Even Robot Chicken's DC Comics Special would make for some interesting variant covers for fans of the show and the special.

INTRODUCING...

It could make for a way to test the market with new talent making it to the big leagues to see how the larger customer base gauges them. Instead of finding out during a multiple issue run or as a co-artist where the work is either lost within the main artists work, or forced to be side by side with that art which could be more accepted by the general fan. This is even a way to test the fans with possible changes to a characters appearance. Variant Covers can be viewed as simply an alternate interpretation as opposed to a leaked image which can come across as something concrete and harder for fans to initially accept.

Another idea for the live action shot would be to use cosplay winners from various comic cons, or THE comic con in San Diego. Even use the more known cosplayers out there. Some of them are top notch and movie quality in appearance. Likely more affordable than actors, even though it could be somehow worked out for a reasonable if not free price. May be able to act on screen, but if you appear on the cover of that characters comic book, then they truly can say things like..."I'm Batman!!" And there are also plenty of other ways they could do Variant Covers. Feel free to chime in below in the comments section, or where ever you found this post (StumbleUpon, Facebook, etc). Until next time...

Stay Nerdy!