A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE…
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UPDATED 11/12/25: The late, great Don Newton was born 91 years ago! Perfect time to reprint this piece from his birthday in 2019. Dig it! — Dan
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If you’re a 13th Dimension regular, you almost certainly know that we dig running 13 COVERS birthday galleries for top-flight artists.
The late Don Newton — who was born Nov. 12, 1934, and died far too young in 1984 at the age of 49 — is one of those artists.
Thing is, Newton wasn’t a terribly prolific cover artist, all things considered. He did his share but I’d really prefer not to repeat what we’ve done in the past.
Instead, in this particular case, I’d like to highlight just one cover — but oh, what a cover it is:
The front of 1983’s Detective Comics #526 is a stone-cold masterpiece — a dazzling image that stands as one of the era’s best and one of the greatest anniversary covers of all time.
The issue itself is notable for Jason Todd’s first appearance in a costume — click here for much more on that — in a crackling yarn by Gerry Conway, Newton and inker Alfredo Alcala, featuring just about every villain who’s ever crossed the Caped Crusader.
But that cover — that cover.
Newton frames our heroic triumvirate in the center — Batman, Robin and Batgirl — ready for action, set on a circle of gold. It’s a fine image but what really sells the cover is the bold red background — with dozens of faces both friendly and fearsome displayed in white-lined negative. (Dick Giordano was the inker. Anthony Tollin, according to the Grand Comics Database, was the colorist and rarely was he better.)
The classic Detective Comics logo — along with DC’s of-the-moment Anniversary banner — gives the package an almost regal bearing.
The result is electrifying — and you can’t help but wish that Newton were given more covers to do by the DC editors. And, of course, that he lived a much longer life.
Because in this shining moment, Don Newton proved that he wasn’t just a first-rate artist.
He proved that under the right circumstances, he was among the very best.
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MORE
— 13 COVERS: A DON NEWTON Birthday Celebration. Click here.
— The Greatest ROBIN Outfit That Never Was. Click here.
November 12, 2019
Well said, Dan. When I picked this up from the comic rack in Eastside Pharmacy, I knew I held something special in my hands. I remember trying to name every character on the cover, and there were a few I couldn’t (Getaway Genius and Captain Stingaree)!
But the cover, the design…we’re used to these “poster” style covers now, but they were very rare in the Silver and Bronze Age, where plot was king. Newton was one of my artistic heroes, and this was him at his very best, in my opinion.
November 12, 2019
What a truly magnificent cover the late Mr. Newton did for “Detective Comics.”
November 13, 2019
Don Newton is my All-Time Favorite Batman artist.
AGREE! Great Cover.
Also love Don’s cover to Batman #374.
In an era where Batgirl art was bland, No one draw Batgirl better then Don.
Sexy and Powerful.
November 12, 2025
I agree that it was and still is an amazing cover. What I appreciate most as well about this issue is DC’s ability then to count corrected. Since Batman debuted in Detective Comics 27, his 500th consecutive appearance in this was number 526. Some how after May of 1983, DC forgot how to count and made Detective Comics 1027 as Batman’s 1,000th appearance. However 526 plus 500 more equals 1026 not 1027. Hmmm, maybe the name for number 1027 should have been Defective Comics? 526’s cover is powerful and mathematically accurate, too.
November 12, 2025
Don Newton was one of the most underrated cartoonists of his generation. He deserves more recognition.
November 12, 2025
Don Newton was, and still is, my favorite Batman artist. And what a cover!
November 12, 2025
I first saw Don Newton’s art in an issue of The Phantom and I remember thinking, “This guy would be great drawing Batman.” It took a while but I was so glad when he finally got the opportunity.
November 12, 2025
It’s fabulous, and what a treat to have the extra gold ink. The illo, design and colours are wonderful, but that logo is the topper. Every time the original ‘Tec and Action mastheads are used big is a great time.
November 12, 2025
Don Newton ranks up there with my other two favorite Batman artists – Marshall Rogers and Neal Adams. I loved the look of Don’s Batman -especially in Detective Comics when it featured The Batman Family. Don’s Batman (to me) seemed larger physically than other renditions of Batman, but with being overly large or muscular.
November 12, 2025
I love this cover, and the story too. It’s probably my favorite Batman story drawn by Mr. Newton, in part due to Alfredo Alcala’s inks. His inks perfectly complemented Don Newton’s pencils.
But I am sorry we didn’t get to see a long run by Mr. Newton on Infinity, Inc. His one issue (#13) was gorgeous. He drew Fury and Jade so beautifully, and I can’t help but think his Power Girl and Huntress (!) would have been too, had they continued to be a part of the book.
To my knowledge, he never drew the Earth-2 Helena Wayne Huntress. Does anyone know if he did?
November 13, 2025
I did a search in my Infinity, Inc. issues. I’d forgotten Mr. Newton had drawn the opening pages of issues 11 and 12. Mr. Newton did draw the Huntress in one panel, but in profile.