Thursday, December 10, 2009

From the Dust Bin: The Silver Surfer #5 [Rejected Cover]



I love to see unused/alternate covers from days gone by. This one by the late John Buscema was intended for The Silver Surfer #5 (Apr. 1969). The original cover is also posted for a comparison basis, but with respect to the terrific image that actually was approved back then, there is something much more powerful about seeing the massive figure of The Stranger stomping down on poor Norrin Rad. At least in my eyes, this rejected cover would have been better!

It would be nice to see one of the surviving inkers from those days finish this baby up! What do you guys think?

5 comments:

Jay Watson said...

Great post Chuck!
I'd have to say that the un-used alternate cover IS SUPERIOR for two reasons: 1) the Surfer himself is seen more up-close and in more emotion; and 2) With the Stranger stomping rather than merely "blasting" it also shows his fury and rage in a more visceral way. They should've gone with plan B.
best,
r/e

Mykal Banta said...

What magnificent pencils! When drawing power and muscle, I don't think anyone can best John Buscema, then or now! His Conan was the one for the ages. -- Mykal

Anonymous said...

I'd guess why they went with the second version is because it makes the Surfer look more 'heroic' and the action 'greater' - from the pov of 1969.

Mic said...

It's likely the cover was redrawn because the title character isn't shown on the surfboard; one reason why storytelling was often clear and direct back in the day was the prevailing wisdom to treat every issue as if it was someone's first.

Kirk G - The Thrifty Rocketeer said...

How odd that they went with the cover they used. It is said that Stan hated "butt shots" of heroes from the rear. Yet here, he went with it! I would have preferred the rejected version!