Variant covers are here to stay. Once thought of as a marketing ploy in the 1990’s to drive sales and bring in speculators, variant covers continue to be a constant in the comic book publishing industry. 3D covers, pencil covers, cut out covers, holographic foil covers, variant artist covers, baby covers, the list of what publishers will do to get retailers to up their orders is varied. Now, there is one variant cover that is of particular interest to me, the blank cover.
Blank covers are exactly what you expect them to be. It’s the same issue you would normally buy with a stark white cover and only the title, issue number and credits printed on it. They are meant to be taken to artists and made into unique works of art to add to your collection. I would have never thought, as a long time comic collector, to EVER write or draw on a comic in my collection. This makes it okay.
I recently was asked by a fan/collector, Neil Martin, to sketch on one of his blank Batman #0 blank variants. Neil has a pretty impressive collection of this issue, with art by some of the top names in the industry. To say that I was honored is an understatement.
Take a look at Neil’s set (not all the covers are posted here) including my addition (Mr. Freeze).
Head on over to our Facebook page (don’t forget to Like and Follow us) and post your blank cover variant art. I know I’d love to see them.