Batman #252 Cover Art by Nick Cardy
Artists: Nick Cardy (Penciller) , Nick Cardy (Inker) , Gaspar Saladino (Inker) , Frank Robbins (Writer)
19 Comments - 7,436 Views - 18 Likes
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Batman #252 Cover
Artwork Details
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DescriptionOn Cloud 9 after picking up this beauty!Original cover art for Batman #252 (DC, 1973) by Nick Cardy (pencils and inks) for the featured story, "The Spooks Master Stroke!" As a huge Batman NUT since meeting and befriending Bob Kane as a boy, there are several key covers spanning the history of Caped Crusader that I just flat out love - this is one of them. Very dark and moody scene by Cardy (which is what I always look for in a Batman piece) with simply superb composition that displays both hero and villain in full frontal shots and likewise loaded with dramatic tension and anticipation of the intense confrontation to soon follow. Cardy's rendering is excellent - clean, sharp and very detailed with special attention payed to the intricate shading in the dirt ditch surrounding the open coffin. And his vision for the scene shows the apex of atmosphere as the Spook rises out of the grave to ambush the shocked Manhunter. The whole cover is composed as if to suggest that Batman is being enclosed and trapped on all sides by his ghostly adversary and the surrounding graveyard to boot. All original stats are present as well, including the timeless and ultra famous Batman logo (this particular version most likely being designed by Neal Adams himself), which hearkens all the way back to the original Golden-Age concept artwork found in the classic splash page from Detective Comics #30 (August, 1939) by his creator Bob Kane. This vintage logo design would be used in the very next issue on the splash page in Detective Comics #31 (Sept., 1939) and then adorn the cover(s) when the hero was awarded his very own title with Batman #1 (Spring, 1940), that specific logo being slightly updated by another Golden-Age great, Jerry Robinson. And I've always loved the Spook as a Batman villain since he reminds me of a green cloaked version of my all-time favorite Bat-baddie, The Monk, who first appeared in the classic two-part tale in Detective Comics #31-32 Sept./ Oct., 1939). Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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David Matheny
Member Since 2021
Posted on 8/14/2022
Foggy Bottom wrote:
Justice.and here I am hoping to get to agree with Baller.
Will K 
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/11/2014
A great cover by Nick. I always liked the way he drew Batman's cowl. Usually other artists drew them with brows showing focus, fear or surprise. Nick seemed to draw them with a broader range of expressions.
Anthony F
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 10/11/2014
Cardy's Batman is iconic, this creepy cover is a great example from his run!
Gal Schwartz
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/11/2014
Incredible cover !! Cardy could do anything !
Jeremy Radisich
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 10/11/2014
Awesome, awesome piece--I love Cardy covers that combine horror and super-heroes since he was a master of both genres. From the coffin to Bats to the perspective on the lettering inside the coffin, just an incredible example of comic book artistry. Congrats!
Greg Gross
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 7/9/2015
Owned this issue in the 70s! Very cool Cardy cover! Congrats!
Nick Katradis
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/21/2017
Rob, a Cardy masterpiece! An incredible Batman Bronze Age cover by one of my favorite artists!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 8/12/2018
Fabulous! Nick Cardy is an underappreciated talent! This cover rules!!!
Brian Norton
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 8/27/2021
Nick Cardy sure knew how to grab your attention with his cover wotk.
Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012
Posted on 12/3/2023
I had never heard of The Spook, so I looked him up. Interesting character, defeated and beheaded by Bruce Wayne's son, Damian Wayne. Harsh.
Anyway, I really love these creepy Batman covers, and Mr. Cardy is the master of creepy. Awesome piece of work.
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