Marvel Comics; 30¢

What makes the best comic book covers? It’s a great topic for debate. For us as individuals there is no wrong answer, of course. It’s purely subjective. But with a little thought it is frequently possible to explain what it is about a particular image that grabs you. The best ones are the ones that make you stop and check out something you weren’t previously going to purchase – and in some cases, you even end up picking up a title you’ve never even heard of before.

Following the Liberty Legion four-part crossover in Invaders #5, Marvel Premiere #29, Invaders #6, and Marvel Premiere #30, which reintroduced a number of Timely Comics characters, writer-editor Roy Thomas and pencil artist Frank Robbins got back to creating new original characters the following issue.

In Invaders #7 they introduced Baron Blood, a vampire working with the Nazi forces, who is probably the most significant villain to come out of this series. They also gave us a character with what is easily the best costume to come out of the title, Union Jack.

But while that issue may have the crown for significant first appearances – Baron Blood (John Falsworth), Union Jack (Lord Falsworth, aka (James Montgomery Falsworth), Jacqueline Falsworth (later Spitfire) – it is not the first cover appearance of Union Jack.

That happened in Invaders #8. Gil Kane’s striking interpretation of the character made sure that anyone with the slightest inclination to do so would pick up the issue. What a great look! That first cover appearance is featured on an issue that flashes back to the character’s World War I first encounter with Baron Blood. Prime Minster David Lloyd George tasks Union Jack with tracking down a killer who “…seems to think he is Bram Stoker’s character, Dracula come to life.”

Back in their then-present World War II, the Invaders battle Baron Blood and Union Jack comes to their rescue.

Thomas, Robbins, and inker Frank Springer cultivate an atmosphere packed with history, action, adventure, drama, betrayal, and more. In other words, they delivered for any potential new readers who picked up the issue based on the terrific cover by Kane.

– J.C. Vaughn