Dark Reign #1 variant cover (and toy art) by Frank Cho

Nice Namor "double-double"! Double Double is also my go to order at In N' Out Burger (when I'm close enough to one to actually have it...been years though), but I guess now it's my new favorite term I've heard for referring to a double published piece. While reading your description and thinking about Cho's art, I basically feel exactly the same (without owning any myself as of now) - appreciate his work but usually out of my price range and have prioritzed other wants/targets. congrats on the win/bargain! It is a nice piece for sure and I think it's usage in toy packaging is even cooler than it being a published comic variant cover to a number 1 issue. P.S. - I also agree that comic book titles have become absolutely ridiculous and sometimes sound like they were written by AI to me these days lol

Ha!  Too many coincidences.  I actually just had an In-N-Out double double when Derek came to the house last week and brought lunch.  As for the ART double double, don't forget, it's not only for being twice published but also for having extra artwork on the back.  That's what I meant about this particular double double.  As far as long titles go, I haven't seen this much of a mouthful since the days of the Pre-Teen Dirty-Gene Kung-Fu Kangaroos and the Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters.  LOL!  Thanks for the comment buddy!

The reversed image on the toy packaging is the coolest aspect for me. Congrats!

Nice pick up Buddy! 

Happy New Year and thanks for the comment my friend.  Make sure you keep an eye out for my next update, because you have kind of a personal connection to it. Wink!

Classic face forward kingly shot!  And you gotta love that "WTH you lookin' at?!" expression!  Talk about "classic" :)  Congrats!

Amazing image of the King, in such royal repose. Love this suit - and he wears it so well via Cho's pencil and ink. Major congrats!

I love Namor's disco costume too. In a way, I find it more regal than just turning up at royal function in just a pair of Speedos. And he looks very regal here. Nice cover!

Haha!  I hope Mr. Romita isn't rolling over in his grave at that "disco costume" remark.  Was disco even around in 1973?  What year did Saturday Night Fever come out?  OMG, wouldn't it be hilarious to find some old interview with John Romita where he actually admits this costume was disco inspired?  Ha!  Anyway, I'll admit that disco was probably the last thing on my mind when I saw that first black costume cover.  But now that you mention it.............

Well (<looks up sources>), strictly it started in the late '60s, with influential underground clubs starting in 1970. The polyester and sequin outifts began in the early '70s, but it all went mainstream by 1974. So 1973 is in there, but pushing things a bit maybe. Namor could be a dude ahead of the curve, hitting those NY and Philly nightclubs where he met Stephen and Clea before he joined the Defenders. Maybe?

But credit where credit is due - Steve Kro's was the first mention I saw of the disco outfit, when he commented on my Marvel Spotlight #27 splash. Go Steve.

I didn't know Romulans could be so hot.

Ha!  Was so amused by your comment that I actually went to Google to find something to show in my Additional Images.  And honestly, it was a lot easier than trying to prove the disco theory.  LOL!  Thanks for the inspiration (and the comment).

Subby by Cho looks great! And the free back of the art bonus is a very nice addition. Huge congrats!

So fresh and so clean.

Toy Weasel Additional Image!!!! And Double-Published!!!!

The action figure goes for about $15-$25 on eBay, so not sure it's Toy Weasel material.   Besides, I'm retired.  LOL  

RIP Sal Buscema.  Sal had a great run on Namor.  Anyways, you sure sound like you're unhappy with the piece.  Or you just needed to stretch out the write up?    

Hmm, not sure where you're getting that.  I love the size, I love the price, I love the black costume, and I love that it's double published.  The only thing I said that was remotely negative is that Cho was never an art priority for me.  Other than that, I'm thrilled to have this one.

You just proved my point.  You wrote all we need to know in 3 sentences. 

Ha!  I'm sure by now almost everyone on CAF knows how long my descriptions can get.  But that wasn't the point I was questioning.  It was the first part of your comment where you thought I didn't like the piece for some reason.  Not sure where you got that, especially since none of the other comments echo yours.

Sure.  Why not?

Fun modern take by Cho (even if nobody can touch the Buscema cover)

Thanks buddy.  That's why I posted the two covers side by side in the Additional Images.  But you're right, no one can touch the Buscema original (though I doubt Frank had any such illusions).  It's exactly what you said, a fun updated take.  Slightly different pose, slightly different scepter, and of course the black costume.  But I think what Frank WAS shooting for was that same sense of regal strength and majesty.  In that endeavor, I think he fully succeeds.

Lucky man!! That's a very nice cover!!! Namor is one of the Marvel's stars!!!

Beautiful "repurposing" of that classic and indelible Buscema cover!  Your write-up is fantastic (as usual) and sincere congrats on reeling this one in for a really nice price!  Beautiful, clean Cho lines here that don't skimp on the detail or regal carriage that Namor simply must have.  Great "royal portrait" (and I love the way Namor is staring down the barrel).  I wonder at what stage the thought of its use as toy packaging came in, because that scepter looks pretty toy-ey to me.  But, hey!  Double-double it is!  A great Cho add is a great Cho add; congrats on your patience and being in the right place at the right time.  It's a tried and true formula for success that works as well in art collecting as it does in, y'know, fishing!  :)  This is an excellent pick up, Eric - big congrats!

Thanks buddy!  After reading your very kind comment, I actually thought about going back and updating my description to include the possibility that it also could have been the other way around.  Toy drawing to cover, instead of cover to toy drawing.  While it's certainly a cover quality drawing, the simple stand alone design does seem particularly suited for packaging art.  But when considering the scale (it's just so darn big), it seems like a lot for a toy.  Granted these things can be reduced or cropped (as shown in the actual toy pic).  So who knows (well, I suppose Frank would).  Anyway, food for thought.  

Great when a piece can get multiple purposes.   Cheers!   And a drawing on both sides, even better.  

well, a strong and solid piece... great pick up!

(even though my ideal Cho piece is not one with only male characters) 

I'm sure many people would agree with you my friend.  Frank's rendering of the female form is probably one of the reasons for his popularity.  But honestly, it was never a consideration for me.  At least not in terms of preference.  Again, my mantra is it's not who or what your draw, it's HOW you draw.  So it's not really the subject that's important to me, it's the quality of the art.  Yes, maybe there would be more comments on the piece if it featured a beautiful female figure.  But when I look at this piece, I see a really strong Cho example that has everything I like about Frank's art.  

Love the costume, great Cho image

IMPERIUS REX! Cho captures his highness' majestic demeanor so well