John Espinoza :: DC Portfolio

Unused Cover to Detective Comics #643 (1991)

Artist: Mark Badger (All)

9 Comments - 1,849 Views - 8 Likes

Unused Cover to Detective Comics #643 (1991) Comic Art

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Superman #420 p. 24 (1986) - Coal into Diamond

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LOTDK: Batman: Run, Riddler, Run #2 p. 9 (1992)

Artwork Details

Title:	Unused Cover to Detective Comics #643 (1991)
Artist:	Mark Badger (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	Not For Sale
Views:	1,849
Likes on CAF:	8 9
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	9
Added to Site:	7/27/2016
Comic Art Archive:

Description

By this time, Mark Badger was already frowned upon for not conforming to the DC house style. He was asked to draw the cover to Detective Comics #643, only to be rejected because it didn't have cobwebs. The job then went to Denys Cowan whose cover was used instead, because, well, it had a cobweb. I like Denys Cowan's work, but I think Mark Badger's cover is better. What do you think?

Ink over graphite on DC Comics cover board.
12" x 17".

1991.

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About the Owner

	John Espinoza ( 9 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	October 2014
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	John's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Daryl R
Member Since 2015

1 - Posted on 7/27/2016

Great piece! Definitely not a typical cover image. Great content though

Reggie Francia
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 3/29/2017

I love this issue! I like seeing covers of "what could have been".

Devils Bile
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 6/11/2017

This is a great piece and I disagree with DC you can see a huge push for him trying to be influenced by Norm Breyfogle yet holding a classic Rogers layout. It is a lot closer to what a Bat editor should have wanted at the time than the printed version, it might have just been the heavy amount of lighting a colorist might have had to add compared to the really dark cover images they were pushing at the time?

Jamie Cufr
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 7/27/2018

I like both, but I think I like the design of the unpublished version better. I think the poses make for a better cover layout.

Earl Hamilton
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 2/26/2019

YOURS WINS!! Hands down! At first glance thought it was a WRIGHTSON-ROGERS Mashup! SOOO GREAT!

Fred's CAF Gallery
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 12/22/2019

Superior!

Bill J
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 3/23/2020

I like the unused cover (yours) better. I'm a sucker for action covers and this one packs a punch!

Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 1/18/2022

I do not understand why this cover was not used. It's outstanding!

Gal Schwartz
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 1/31/2022

Fantastic cover, it shoud've been used !

All
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	Will Gabri-El 9/7/2025 10:28:00 PM
	Mike Pf 9/7/2025 10:11:00 PM
	Lee P 9/7/2025 10:07:00 PM
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