As any readers of my past articles would know, nothing thrills me more than the many varied gimmick covers attempted over the years. From die-cut, to hologram, to acetate, I’ve loved every crazy thing they’ve ever tried. But it’s been a while since I’ve discussed my all-time favorite gimmick: chromium covers (like a foil cover on steroids, nothing shines quite like chromium). And while going through my collection recently I realized my favorites have changed!!! So, here is my updated all time top 5 list of chromium covers.
5) Walking Dead #100 / Invincible #100
Kirkman is a guy who so clearly loves 90’s comics. And chromium was HUGE in the 90’s. So, you know he had to have chromium covers on both of the 100th giant size issues of his major series. Both issues had many many covers, but these were the ones I just had to make sure to get.
The death of Superman was one of the biggest books of the early 90’s, garnering the attention of the whole world and becoming one of the biggest selling issues ever. Being no stranger to a gimmick cover with the black bagged edition of his death, this issue during his return decided to switch gears and give us the special treat of a chromium cover. Long haired Superman in front of a menacing Cyborg Superman, this was one of my favorite covers of that entire era.
3) Generation X #1In 1994, I was pretty X-cited to have an all-new team of young mutants to read about, because clearly 5 or 6 other x titles weren’t enough! But when I saw this chromium cover on the shelf, I nearly lost my mind. No better way to kick off a new book than with that absolutely eye-catching chromium sheen.
2) X-Men Alpha #1Speaking of X chromium, they managed to outdo themselves not even a year later with the epic start of the X-Men Age of Apocalypse story. Can you even imagine grabbing this off the shelf? All new versions of our favorite characters, and even some new ones altogether, and given the ultra-premium chromium treatment. Must buy doesn’t even begin to cover it.
1) Danger Girl #1Kind of an odd choice perhaps for my number one chromium cover, but it’s because of how hard it was to get at the time. I was 15 in 1998, and had already been several years into being a comic lover. But my 20-year-old brother had just gotten into the hobby as well, as more of an investor in the possible future value of comics, as was the rage at the time. And we were both real hyped about all the Cliffhanger books: Danger Girl, Crimson, and Battle Chasers. I remember us running around to every comic shop we could to get them. So, these will always hold a little extra place in my heart, for the hunt!!!
So, there you have it, my updated list of the best of the best chromium covers out there. Theres really not a whole lot more, and it’s well worth it in my mind trying to get everyone. I was particularly overjoyed to see the two chromium covers Kirkman once again did for his recent title Terminal. Keeping chromium alive!!!