BRONZE AGE BONANZA: Aparo! Adams! Kane! Romita! MORE! — Welcome to BRONZE AGE BONANZA — our monthly series that looks at the greatest covers of the Bronze Age — exactly 50 years later. For more info on this feature, click here. — It’s a strong month when you could argue that the No. 7 cover should be No. 1. Dig the TOP 13 COVERS OF APRIL 1974 — RANKED: — 13. Batman #257, DC. A sentimental pick, really. Kind of on the busy side, but I dig the bold, red background and (I’m pretty certain) it’s the first Bronze Age appearance of the Penguin, seen here with a disguised Talia. That’s a strange pairing. Also, Ally Babble was annoying as fuck. — 12. Nightmare #19, Skywald. Pure Skywald schlock by Sebastia Boada but that’s the best, most unhinged gill-man I’ve ever seen. Manphibian’s got nothing on that guy. — 11. Adventure Comics #434, DC. Just your standard, terrific Aparo Spectre cover. — 10. The Witching Hour #44, DC. Not the most original idea, but it’s all in the execution. I look at Nick Cardy, whose work I love, as a “soft” penciller, as opposed to a Neal Adams or Mike Grell. But then he can nail a cover like this that is downright ominous and startling. Very strong. — 9. Everything’s Archie #33, Archie. Welcome to the 1974 Annual Riverdale Stargazing Ball and Key Party. — 8. World’s Unknown #8, Marvel. If I only judged by my heart, this would be a lot higher, because I love this movie. (It came out 50 years ago this month in the U.S.) But even on its own merits, it’s a great Gil Kane/Vince Colletta cover that spotlights the Harryhausen flick’s best set piece. One question: Why is Caroline Munro’s Margiana (lower left) a blonde? — 7. Iron Man #69, Marvel. This is a strong month, which is why this Ron Wilson/Mike Esposito cover is as low as it is. It’s one of the most memorable Shellhead covers of the Bronze Age but it just so happens that the competition is stiff. — 6. Star*Reach #1, Star*Reach Productions. The first issue of the beloved independent comic, which presaged the indie boom of the ’80s. Still one of the most respected series of the Bronze Age and the Chaykin cover serves bold notice that comics readers were...