Batman No. 210 Cover: Novick or Adams?

As can happen, one artist draws a cover, and the editor chooses to have it redrawn by another artist. Case in point the cover for Batman 210, March 1969. The layout had been done by Carmine Infantino and passed on to Irv Novick who was enjoying his early years of drawing super-heroes for DC, which included Batman and The Flash.

For reasons unknown to us, DC decided to have to cover redrawn by Neal Adams, an artist who was beginning to reimagine super-heroes in American comics. This was only the third time he’d done a Batman cover.

Both of them are presented here for comparison. Fashion watchers do the “Who wore it better?” thing, so this is “Who drew it better?” Comments – as ever – are welcome.


Batman 210 Cover by Neal Adams

As published.


IRV NOVICK

Batman 210 Cover by Irv Novick

Scan from Heritage Auctions. That’s a rubber cement stain covering most of the art.

Batman 210 Cover Restoration by Scott Dutton

Art restored and trade dress re-created. The word balloon lettering and the headline were hand-drawn elements by Gaspar Saladino.

Batman 210 Cover Colour by Scott Dutton

Colour version 1.

Batman 210 Cover Colour by Scott Dutton

Colour version 2.


NEAL ADAMS

Batman 210 Cover by Neal Adams

Scan from Heritage Auctions.

Batman 210 Cover Restoration by Scott Dutton

Art cleaned up and trade dress re-created. The word balloon lettering and the headline were hand-drawn elements by Gaspar Saladino.

Batman 210 Cover Colour by Scott Dutton

Colour version 1.

Batman 210 Cover Colour by Scott Dutton

Colour version 2.


WHO DREW IT BETTER?

Batman 210 Covers by Irv Novick and Neal Adams

Scans from Heritage Auctions.

Batman 210 Covers Colour by Scott Dutton

Colour.


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