Posted by Dan Greenfield on Jan 17, 2021
The TOP 13 COVERS of JANUARY 1971 — RANKED
BRONZE AGE BONANZA: We flip the calendar on the monthly feature and begin anew… — 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. — We started BRONZE AGE BONANZA last January on a hunch and you guys dug it, so we’re ready for a new year showcasing the best covers from 50 years ago. Naturally, that means starting with January 1971. As usual, these are based on sale dates, not publication dates. C’mon, get happy! — 13. The Partridge Family #1, Charlton. Jeez, Charlton went all out in trying to jam everything they could on this cover. Not the best job but it does draw the eye and it certainly tells you what was going on in pop culture in January 1971. There’s a version out there where the photo’s in color, by the way. (Admit it: You love “I Think I Love You.”) — 12. Laugh #240. Actually, you’re wrong, Archie. They did make it once they changed their name to They Might Be Giants. — 11. The Mod Squad #8, Dell. The Mod Squad uncovers a crooked cop — by looking in every direction! Dig the groovy background, baby. — 10. Tales From the Tomb, Eerie Publications. Johnny Bruck at it again. This cover is modified from a German pulp mag from a decade earlier but I don’t care. It still deserves a spot on this list because: A) you’ve got a laser-carrying ape creature, and B) some dude with his own personal fireworks show coming out of his face. That’s entertainment! — 9. DC Special #11, DC. Neal Adams pretty much dominated 1970’s BRONZE AGE BONANZA and you can pretty much expect more of the same for 1971. This is a pretty straightforward piece but I’m struck at the sheer draftsmanship of the gargoyles. Just great illustration. — 8. Aquaman #56, DC. Nick Cardy’s swan song as Aquaman cover artist — and the series’ swan song until it was revived some years later. Aquaman would make his way to Adventure Comics in the meantime. — 7. Adventure Comics #404. My guess is that Supergirl somehow stumbled onto Bob Fosse’s company workshopping Pippin and things just got out of hand. — 6. Thor...
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