Protectors 17 Cover - Best 90's Cover Ever - Vote for Pepper - and all your wildest dreams will come true!
Artists: Willie Pepper (Penciller) , Scott Reed (Inker)
173 Views - 21 Comments - 14 Likes
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DescriptionThe word grail gets thrown around too much but when it comes to the peak of the 90's comic art renaissance, this might be a serious contender. Who can forget the power team up of Willie Pepper and Scott Reed on this book, both household names by this point in the game. Jim, Todd and Rob WISHED they had come up with this cover.Take a minute and take it all in. Superteam battle cover. Not sure where they are going, who they are fighting or what they are doing but it is the 90's...who cared...as long as they were all screaming and most had their hands balled up in to a fist. F#%k'n A. This has it all, Kirby/Sinnot radiating action lines, dynamic poses that would give even Burne Hogarth a moment of pause and eight(yes eight, count them) feet! One might think some of the characters are derivative of other well known Marvel comic characters as well as those from other publishers. Psssh!!! You know what I say to that," look at the 8 feet!!!" I missed this touchstone of the 90's comic revival when it was first on the stand only because I was so disheartened by some of the gimmicks going on at Marvel and DC that I missed this whole series which ran for a full 20 issues. Malibu comics had some street cred back in the day and scorchers like this are why! I am still catching up on this incredible opus. Not knowing all the players yet, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few first appearances in this book and maybe even some birthin' going on. These were certainly heady days with so much innovation and inspiration going on in the hobby and I somehow missed it. Well, here I am making up for it with this piece that is sure to be a cornerstone of my 90's art collection. I think the CAF 2025 best of Cover contest is over now...no need for anyone else to enter. On that note, I am starting a very small lobby campaign to get some votes for this unrecognized gem. I think you get 5 votes in this category, think about throwing one this way. Vote for Pepper! All your wildest dreams will come true! Social/Sharing |
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James S 
Member Since 2017
3 - Posted on 12/7/2025
If you throw a trapper keeper, a poster of a Lamborghini Countach, a half dozen beanie babies, and some JNCO jeans in a blendor and turn the mixture into comic art, it would not be as 90s as this masterpiece!!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 12/7/2025
Wow! Pepper and Reed were without question the Alex Raymond and Hal Foster of their time. They were in SO much demand back then, but comics just didn't pay enough so they had to leave the industry pretty quickly. That was a massive loss to the comics industry and we can only guess what works of art they might have produced had they stuck around. You are very fortunate to be able to own this and I look forward to seeing it in its custom frame, hanging on your wall. I never thought I'd see the day when your Alex Raymond Flash Gordon would come down from the wall, but it had a good run. May this masterpiece live on in its place forever!
Duke Fleed
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 12/7/2025
I hope you are well Jeff, but you can't be serious. everyone knows.. it doesn't matter the decade..the best comic covers were,are and will always be Groo covers by Sergio Aragones.. all that being said..Good Luck!
Danny Kiihnl
Member Since 2022
1 - Posted on 12/7/2025
Its hard for me to decide which is better. Your description or the cover itself.
Redhead Demiurge
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/7/2025
No lies were detected in your description, but I think you forgot to mention this is an example of graphic storytelling that Moore cries himself to sleep at night over, wishing he could match it.
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
2 - Posted on 12/7/2025
Redhead Demiurge wrote:
No lies were detected in your description, but I think you forgot to mention this is an example of graphic storytelling that Moore cries himself to sleep at night over, wishing he could match it.
Exactly my thoughts. The mind shutters to think how much better Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell would have been with the 90's aesthetic and these superstars. Then Swamp Thing = mind blown!! Moore peaked too early in his writing and this convergence of greatness was missed.
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/7/2025
You've introduced me to so many great stories I had never read and so many creators whose work I was not familiar with - add Pepper, Reed & The Protectors to the list! Thanks, Jeff!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 12/7/2025
For Sale next week! Tuning in, popcorn ready! I am so confused yet so stoked for you, simulatenously. congrats? ;-p
Chris C
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/7/2025
There are almost FIVE feet showing on this cover. It's almost too good for the 90's.
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
Posted on 12/7/2025
Chris C wrote:
There are almost FIVE feet showing on this cover. It's almost too good for the 90's.
There are actually eight feet I've identified so far. One is more an ankle but I gave it a pass. This is The Night at the Roxbury of covers.
Chris C
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/7/2025
Jeff Singh wrote:
There are actually eight feet I've identified so far. One is more an ankle but I gave it a pass. This is The Night at the Roxbury of covers.
Dear Lord....EIGHT? I hesitate to "Roxbury" any cover but for this I have to make an exception. Huzzah!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
2 - Posted on 12/9/2025
Did I hear that Thomas Fish offered to trade his Jim Lee X-Men #1 cover for this? And you turned him down???!!!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
2 - Posted on 12/9/2025
Bill J wrote:
Did I hear that Thomas Fish offered to trade his Jim Lee X-Men #1 cover for this? And you turned him down???!!!
That's exactly what happened, Bill. But why are you feigning surprise? You know as well as I do that NOBODY in this hobby would give this baby up for that shitty Jim Lee piece. Only a fool and his Protectors #17 cover would be soon parted, and Jeff is NOBODY's fool!
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 12/9/2025
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
That's exactly what happened, Bill. But why are you feigning surprise? You know as well as I do that NOBODY in this hobby would give this baby up for that shitty Jim Lee piece. Only a fool and his Protectors #17 cover would be soon parted, and Jeff is NOBODY's fool!
Tabarnac, I won't tell you what Ruben offered me.... What happens in Canada stays in Canada.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 12/9/2025
Jeff Singh wrote:
Tabarnac, I won't tell you what Ruben offered me.... What happens in Canada stays in Canada.
😂
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