Amazing Heroes Issue #52— Cover

Amazing Heroes Issue #52— Cover

Periodical
Comic Strip

The cover of Amazing Heroes issue 52 has the title “The European Invasion” typed out in bold, orange, capital letters. The classic Amazing Heroes text lies right at the top left corner of the comic in bold, yellow, capital letters. Right above Amazing Heroes, it denotes that the issue is no. 52, was published on August 1st, and is $1.95 in the United States and $2.50 in Canada. The background of the cover features a dark, black abyss that’s exposed by a door. The door itself is an American flag. Standing in front of the flag is Judge Dredd, who has a speech bubble that says “Okay…the door’s open! Come on in!” It’s unclear who he is talking to, as he is turned toward the black portion of the photo. His uniform is a deep navy blue, with gold plating on his knees and shoulders. On his left shoulder, the plating has an eagle on it. He has green gloves and a green belt, with a gold eagle insignia topped with a red, white, and blue badge in the middle. He has a red mask on that covers the upper portion of his face, and is holding a silvery-grey weapon that’s steaming and appears to be a gun.

Being that issue 52 is focused on the European side of comics, it’s fitting that the superhero Judge Dredd is on the cover, being created by Brits John Wagner and Pat Mills, according to his Wikia page. Mills came up with the concept behind Dredd upon request from Mills, bringing a character to life from across the pond. Many writers like Jack Kirby and Stan Lee were American, so placing a superhero created by Brits is fitting for the theme in issue 52. Though Judge Dredd himself wasn’t explicitly European, there was a whole slew of European superheroes that weren’t publicized to American readers. A list on europeisnotdead.com includes names like Superdupont from France, Gutsman from the Netherlands, Captain Berlin from Germany, and more. Including Dredd on the cover, who hails from British creators, still draws a connection between actual European superheroes and the creators behind them as well. Additionally, in the dissertation “Superhero Comics and the Popular Geopolitics of American Identity” by Mervi Miettinen, she discusses the concept of how Americaness is heavily supported in the comics industry in an idealized and mythicized manner. Noting this is important in regard to this specific issue because centering an entire comic around European comics helps break down this concept, showing that writers and superheroes themselves are equally as culturally significant. Having an American flag on the cover shows their entrance into this idealized area of comics as well. One last important element to note is the title of the comic— “The European Invasion.” This could be a reference to the mid-1960s movement called the “British Invasion,” which was all about British rock-and-roll infiltrating the United States, according to Britannica. Fans of this movement may be especially drawn to a comic that’s focused on the world on the other side of the pond as well, wanting to unearth other elements about a culture they have never lived themselves. All in all, this cover is a great segue to European superheroes and writers being popularized in America, while also drawing in fans who love the European lifestyle already.

David W. Olbrich, Tom Mason, Kim Thompson, M. Thompson, T. Heintjes, Janet Toombs, Lidia Hlywa, Peg Weinberg, J. Michael Catron, Mike Raub

MSU Special Collections Comic Art, PN6725.A47

Redbeard, Inc.

August 1st, 1984

Autumn Miller

All rights reserved

-http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/19 (Table of Contents)
-http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/20 (Representative Page)

Comic, 6.6x10.3 inches, color

English

Periodical

1981-1992