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Post by scottharris on Jun 28, 2009 19:13:38 GMT -5
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Post by sharkar on Jul 1, 2009 19:58:52 GMT -5
No, this isn't a Fleetwood Mac thread. As I've been looking through different comic book cover galleries, it's struck me that several top covers share a common motif -- the hero breaking chains in a heroic pose. It's a cool, symbolic graphic, and a common metaphor, but I'm curious what the origins are in terms of comic book covers. I have to think this dates back to the Golden Age, but I'm not able to call to mind any covers specifically showing this. Anyone know more about this cover motif?  Supes busting out of chains has been a part of his schtick from very early on (and probably based on circus strongmen performing this feat). As far back as 1939 an image of him doing this was used as the cover corner "circle" image on Action Comics for a while, and it was also used for the Supermen Fan Club of America (which also had its inception in 1939) and other marketing material.   As Scott mentioned it's a common motif and so was seen on several Superman (and other heroes) covers starting back in the Golden Age. But it was so strongly identified with Superman that the first DC Silver Age Superman Annual (1960) gave center stage to this iconic image.  Reportedly Adams wasn't totally happy with his cover (and I believe he did a similar one later on that he liked better), but it's a fair bet to say he was probably familiar with the older images of Superman flexing his chest to bust out of chains. Heck, as a kid he may have even been a member of the Supermen of America fan club! |
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