Precinct1313’s Top Ten Favourite Comic-Book Covers Of All Time: No.01 – Wonder Woman #72 – Brian Bolland
Welcome once again, fellow fans of fantastic fiction, as our classic comic cover crusade reaches its culminating crescendo! In our previous post we introduced you to the astounding artistic antics of Amanda Conner and her stunning and sassy Starfire cover, this iconic instalment we present the superior skills of the bodacious Brian Bolland and his tantalising tribute to the Themysciran Titan with Wonder Woman #72.
The bombastic Brian Bolland was one of a wave of UK comic creators that during the pinnacle of the popular British comic-book scene in the ’80s was snapped up by larger American comic publishers, such as DC Comics, for their alternate and even irreverent approach to the comic-book medium. Bolland along with other British greats, the likes of Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman, had impacted the popular caped crusading format by adding a darker edge to characterisation, and a satirical approach to storytelling underlined with a scorn for politics and a strong anti-authoritarian vibe.
Brian Bolland is probably best known in the UK for his stellar work on Britain’s biggest selling anthology comic 2000AD, especially his authoritative take on Judge Dredd, for whom his work on said character, for me, will always be the definitive take visually. Inspired at a young age by artistic greats like Carmine Infantino and Gil Kane, Brian would go on to be one of the most widely sought after artists in the USA, with classics under his utility belt such as Batman: The Killing Joke and Camelot 3000 for DC Comics. It was, however, his run as comic cover artist for DC in the ’80s and ’90s that he is most fondly remembered, especially his phenomenal run on Wonder Woman, in fact, like the previous post on Starfire, Brian’s cover illustration for Wonder Woman #72 proved so popular with the fans that a limited edition statue was produced in celebration of his vicarious vision!
Thanks For Sticking With Us Throughout This Capacious Comic Cover Cavalcade, Fellow Agents Of Precinct1313, Which Of Our Posted Ten Is Your Favourite, Why Not Sound Off In The Comments Below…
Posted on January 29, 2021, in Comics and tagged 2000AD, Brian Bolland, DC Comics, Precinct1313's Top Ten Favourite Comic-Book Covers Of All Time, Wonder Woman. Bookmark the permalink. 12 Comments.
precinct1313 
Great selection of covers Bruce!
Let me tell you that the last one got me thinking of a WW themed creation… an idea of reversing stereotypes is molding lately and hopefully will come to fruition (see the “reverse ” Medusa statue exhibited at the New York criminal Court) .
Thank you for the effort and care behind this top ten; it’s never easy!
Take care and be safe.
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Thanks my friend, I adore this cover, it really captures Diana’s strength and fortitude, Bolland is an excellent artist. Your reverse stereotype sounds intriguing, will be very interested to see where that takes you. I am intending to put a little more of my fictional work on the Precinct along with the usual reviews, and some of it does pertain to altered mythologies! 🙂 Take care and stay safe too, my good friend. 🙂
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Oh I am intrigued! Please do so my friend !! 🙂
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Excellent choice for N°1 there. Long been a fan of Mr Bolland for his work at 2000AD as well as the classic Killing Joke. So awesome they made a statue of that Bolland Wondy cover!
Really enjoyed your top ten comic book covers countdown! Good research and images as always. I wouldn’t know where to begin honestly, but I know Bolland would be there if I made a top ten.
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Thanks my friend, yeah Bolland is also one of my fave artists, definitely the best 2000AD scribbler of all time (in my humble opinion anyway) His work on Killing Joke is iconic, one of the greatest interpretations of Batsy and Joker ever! 🙂
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Agree. Bolland, Ezquerra and Ewins my fave 3. But a tight call as always, as they’ve had so many talented artists over time.
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Yes indeed, all three are masters of their art, with Ezquerra the most distinctive, his Dredd was also much awesome, and Brett Ewins is my definitive Rogue Trooper artist (along with the amazing Cam Kennedy). It’s such a loss that two of those three are no longer with us – RIP Ezquerra and Ewins, two of the greats!
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Well said! The Ezquerra style was totally unique. And I also love Ewins for his Bad Company work – just outstanding
The late Ron Smith did some outstanding covers, and I think it was him who always drew Dredd with the closer-fitting small helmet.
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Bad Company? now there’s a bombastic blast from the past! Ron Smith was also amazing, damn, I may just have to do another Great British Comic-Book Characters post for all the fantabulous Brit artists!! 2000AD Dredd artist the wonderful Henry Flint actually lives very near to me, and used to buy his copies of 2000AD from the comic shop I used to co-run a few years ago. 🙂
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You should consider doing it. So many talented artists and writers over the years. Yeah, Bad Company… I have most of the original issues, the reprints, and the collection book ‘Goodby, Krool World. Just wow to BC.
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It’s definitely one of the most iconic Wonder Woman cover images.
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Hi there, absolutely agree! Bolland is one of my favourite artists of all time, and his Wondy comic cover run is absolutely iconic!
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