13 COVERS: More Superb DARK KNIGHT III #1 Variants

There are dozens to choose from this week, depending on your retailer. Here are some of the best …

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OK, so our DARK KNIGHT WEEK turned out to be longer than seven days. Fine by me. I’ve really enjoyed exploring what some of the biggest writers and artists in the business have to say about Frank Miller’s original landmark work.

Now, here’s the thing: Dark Knight III is out 11/25 and, well, that’s a matter for another column. Except there’s one aspect I want to get into here — the variant covers. There are more than 40, when you include the enormous number of retailer exclusives. Critics call this a raw money grab. I call it capitalism. If people buy, people buy.

Me? I’m intrigued by the art itself. There are some beautiful alternate covers that play off the original Dark Knight Returns (and, to a lesser extent, the execrable DK2).

Last month, after the first wave was revealed, I picked my 13 favorites (click here). A large number have been unveiled since, so I’ve gone back and picked another 13 from the full complement listed by DC. There are plenty I haven’t picked, and you can click here to see those that didn’t make the cut. It’s all subjective, so you may have a very different opinion. I’d love to hear it.

Meantime, here’s 13 COVERS: More Superb DARK KNIGHT III #1 Variants

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And in case you missed them, check out our creator roundtables, where writers and artists like Greg Capullo, Mike Allred, Ron Marz, Darwyn Cooke and many others talk about various aspects of The Dark Knight Returns:

In Part 1 (click here), creators remembered their initial impressions of Miller’s landmark work.

In Part 2 (click here), they discussed how it work influenced them as storytellers.

In Part 3 (click here), they picked their favorite “HELL YEAH!” moments.

My own 13 QUICK THOUGHTS about The Dark Knight Returns‘ legacy (can be found here).

Jock

Jock

Paul Pope

Paul Pope

Francis Manapul

Francis Manapul

Matt Wagner

Matt Wagner

John Cassaday

John Cassaday

Brian Stelfreeze

Brian Stelfreeze

Tony Harris

Tony Harris

Walt Simonson

Walt Simonson

Josh Middleton

Josh Middleton

Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson

Simon Bisley

Simon Bisley. Love that Silver Age cowl …

Babs Tarr

Babs Tarr

Bill Sienkiewicz

Bill Sienkiewicz

Author: Dan Greenfield

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1 Comment

  1. These are some really excellent variants, Too bad i dont have the money or time to get all 40. Btw, I do agree that it is capitalism, Plus comic sales in general have been down dramatically so they have to get that money somehow.

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