Superboy #187 rejected cover

I usually side with the final choice, but I do believe they made an error in this selection.  The action is more dynamic, and the figure of Superboy is stronger.  You're lucky to have this Cardy gem.

Thanks Steven. I do agree with you on how final choices by the editorial team are usually for the better, but not in this case.

This is nicer with more inks and darker tone of angry Superboy leading the jail break!  Great Cardy traits throughout and especially in the way he drew the faces.

Thanks for your agreement Marcus. I do value your opinion.

Even without the notes from the editor, its clear why they re-did the cover, but artistically speaking, the first one has all the punch!

Dan, I'm not sure why you think it"s clear why they redid the cover. Only reasons I can put forward was to make the image more symmetrical, which took away from the Superboy image. Or to feature more prominently the two inmates below Superboy in order to emphasize the story inside.

So let me start by saying, I prefer the original version from an artist pov..but the main difference between the two is the placement of the camera. In the first version, it's placed up close and in the action (it's a mid range view). In the published the camera is pulled back and gives a wider lense or view which makes  the scene really clear and shows Superboy leading the jail break.  My guess is that this sense of clarity is why they asked the artist to draw a wider shot.  Is it my opinion, yes..but that seems to be the most logical reason when comparing the 2 pieces.

I think that's a sensible conclusion.

Thanks for clarifying

Editorial must have demanded a more straight on approach ;)

As I mentioned above Rick, that is one of the only reasons I can think of.

REally nice images on this one! Congrats!

Thanks Miki. Burkey had a published cover that wasn't as appealing and nearly 3x the cost since it was published. I think I made a good choice.

Really cool addition to your collection, Lee! congrats. I agree with you personally as well that this is the more interesting approach (and feels more like a lasting image) for the cover but Editorial had their reasons I suppose. I prefer to think of these as "alternate covers" instead of rejected since rejected sounds so harsh! ha. 

Thanks Kavi. I truly grateful to have it in my cokkection. I didn't want to soften up the title. I put it right out there "REJECTED. Rightfully so, or not.

Good one! This was a memorable story from the year in which DC went heavily into "socially conscious" stories to try to woo college activist readers. It was a two-parter in which Superboy learned first hand about the dismal living conditions in American prisons, and agitated for reform. I have three of the interior pages.

Thanks for the insights. And thanks for the link to the pages.

You know what I find interesting? In this case I would actually have rejected the 2nd cover just because of how bizarre the Superboy figure looks! Congrats on ticking off another piece from your bucket list, Lee.

Yea, I really don't like the Superboy image in the 2nd cover either. The foreshortening seems off.

It's beautiful Lee!

Thanks Nick!

Great!

Beautiful cover and a real treasure find! Congrats!

Thank you Al.

Rejected no longer! Great pickup!

Thanks Derek.