VH1 Solar #3 is iconic cover? Really?

[Oxmyx]

I just don't see it.
I am pretty sure I'm looking at the right one, just the two guys up in the air

I'm listening to VCR 233 on the OTV podcast channel. Collector's Top 10

Thoughts?

VCR described it as "so damn good" that Valiant wanted it as their first gold book, but only got as far as gold prototype.

I'm not arguing or dismissing anyone, I just don't see it.

[greg]

I thought I remembered JayJay saying they tested the gold process on "a couple books laying around", which would imply they didn't put much significance on which two books they tried.

As far as the cover goes, it's an early BWS where the two guys are both Solar, so it is assumed the one in costume is Dr. Solar (from Gold Key) and the other man is Phil Seleski (Valiant). Making a sequence from Solar #1 to #5 covers, you get Phil (#1), then Dr. Solar splitting out of his brain (#2), then the two men together (#3), then the battle (#4), then Phil resting having defeated/combined Dr. Solar... just Solar remains (#5).

Solar #3 cover (in costume) was used for the Solar statue by DF, possibly because it was a representation of Dr. Solar (Gold Key) from the story inside. DF never had any Valiant copyrights. The DF lithograph for Solar was cancelled because they featured Erica Pierce and she was all Valiant. The use of the Solar #3 image for the statue was probably borderline legal, since it was a Valiant image of a prior Gold Key character.

[Oxmyx]

The DF lithograph for Solar was cancelled because they featured Erica Pierce and she was all Valiant.

Haha. I literally just asked this question about Mothergod in another thread

Thanks Greg. You're awesome.

Reading your description of the story-related progression of covers in Solar #1-5, it is really cool coming right off the discussion bemoaning the severe reduction of story-related covers in the comics industry today over on the MARCH 2020 SOLICITS thread

[ckb]

I have always been partial to 7 in the 1-11 run, but I understand the love for 3 even without Harada.

[slym2none]

VH1 Solar #3 is iconic cover? Really?

Yes.

That's all the answer necessary.





-slym

[Oxmyx]

VH1 Solar #3 is iconic cover? Really?

Yes.

That's all the answer necessary.




-slym

Oki dokie. I still don't see it, but cool.

[syzhang28]

I never liked it all that much

[nycjadie]

To me, Solar 1, 3, 5 and 10 are among the most classic of Valiant covers. BWS was at his finest. Issues 1-5 and 7 are my favorites, and can be vieeed as a narrative in and of itself. I haven’t seen that in few VEI runs. The Valiant gets close.

[nycjadie]

Actually, Rapture does a great job.

[Summydad1]

If Solar 3 isn’t a classic/iconic VH1 cover then what is? BWS is part of OG VALIANT lore. The color is great too. Have you ever looked at it in person or just online? I understand opinion but what would you consider iconic VH1? Solar 3 is right up there with Harby 1, RAI 0 (iconic but not particularly artistic), EW 4 and Solar 10 (the story behind it). Also take into account the other VH1 covers that BWS did. To me that adds to his icon status. A&A 0, Bloodshot 1, etc.

[Oxmyx]

If Solar 3 isn’t a classic/iconic VH1 cover then what is? BWS is part of OG VALIANT lore. The color is great too. Have you ever looked at it in person or just online? I understand opinion but what would you consider iconic VH1? Solar 3 is right up there with Harby 1, RAI 0 (iconic but not particularly artistic), EW 4 and Solar 10 (the story behind it). Also take into account the other VH1 covers that BWS did. To me that adds to his icon status. A&A 0, Bloodshot 1, etc.

I've just seen it online. I may not being very fair to Solar #3 but it just doesn't seem at all dynamic to me.
Iconic would be Magnus #25 maybe or that Solar vs XO cover or Solar with that demonic grin caused by Darque or do you mean only preUnity?

[possumgrease]

I dig it.

[Summydad1]

It does look better in person. I am biased for two reasons. I enjoy BWS covers and I remember when the cover came out originally. I am also partial to pre-unity anything so these books are my cup of tea.

[myron]

To me, Solar 1, 3, 5 and 10 are among the most classic of Valiant covers. BWS was at his finest. Issues 1-5 and 7 are my favorites, and can be vieeed as a narrative in and of itself. I haven’t seen that in few VEI runs. The Valiant gets close.

+1

[Jrosen]

To me, Solar 1, 3, 5 and 10 are among the most classic of Valiant covers. BWS was at his finest. Issues 1-5 and 7 are my favorites, and can be vieeed as a narrative in and of itself. I haven’t seen that in few VEI runs. The Valiant gets close.

Solar 2 is my favorite pre-unity cover.

[possumgrease]

Two is dope too.

[sonicdan]

Two is dope too.

Agreed!
https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypie ... iece=65222" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Blood of Heroes]

Two is dope too.

Agreed!
https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypie ... iece=65222" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bragger!

[Oxmyx]

To me, Solar 1, 3, 5 and 10 are among the most classic of Valiant covers. BWS was at his finest.

Solar 2 is my favorite pre-unity cover.

That (#2) is a GOOD cover. My favorite of that run is actually #4.
#2 and #4 are both extremely dynamic and action packed and tell part of the story. I can understand them being memorable.
#3 is just flat to me. Do you think it borrows some esteem by association? Maybe partly? Maybe mostly?

[Jrosen]

Two is dope too.

Agreed!
https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypie ... iece=65222" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's awesome. Do you have it framed?

[slym2none]

To me, Solar 1, 3, 5 and 10 are among the most classic of Valiant covers. BWS was at his finest.

Solar 2 is my favorite pre-unity cover.

That (#2) is a GOOD cover. My favorite of that run is actually #4.
#2 and #4 are both extremely dynamic and action packed and tell part of the story. I can understand them being memorable.
#3 is just flat to me. Do you think it borrows some esteem by association? Maybe partly? Maybe mostly?

We get it. You don't like it as much as some.

Art is art. Best art is undefineable, whether you like it or not.





-slym

[Oxmyx]

BWS was at his finest.

Solar 2 is my favorite pre-unity cover.

That (#2) is a GOOD cover

We get it. You don't like it as much as some.

Art is art. Best art is undefineable, whether you like it or not.





-slym

Good point!

[Juki]

BWS was at his finest.

Solar 2 is my favorite pre-unity cover.

That (#2) is a GOOD cover

We get it. You don't like it as much as some.

Art is art. Best art is undefineable, whether you like it or not.


...........................................................................



I have a collection of “Blue Dog” lithographs/silkscreens by an artist from my area, George Rodrigue , that was obtained from the 90’s till 2013 when he passed away. Some people enjoy seeing them....some people think they are silly and say “a kid could draw that dog in like 5 minutes.” But, the prints usually stimulate some type of reaction.

The funny thing is that George Rodrigue was a struggling artist for most of his life. He went to art school. He became locally known for painting and documenting the disappearing way of life of the Acadians (Cajuns) and Oak trees. He drove around selling his art out of the back of his van and at local restaurants. As he became more known, he was commissioned to paint local governors and several US Presidents. But, he didn’t make his millions until he painted a simple “Blue Dog.”

I would say that good art makes you take notice and feel something.

[slym2none]

BWS was at his finest.

Solar 2 is my favorite pre-unity cover.

That (#2) is a GOOD cover

We get it. You don't like it as much as some.

Art is art. Best art is undefinable, whether you like it or not.


...........................................................................



I have a collection of “Blue Dog” lithographs/silkscreens by an artist from my area, George Rodrigue , that was obtained from the 90’s till 2013 when he passed away. Some people enjoy seeing them....some people think they are silly and say “a kid could draw that dog in like 5 minutes.” But, the prints usually stimulate some type of reaction.

The funny thing is that George Rodrigue was a struggling artist for most of his life. He went to art school. He became locally known for painting and documenting the disappearing way of life of the Acadians (Cajuns) and Oak trees. He drove around selling his art out of the back of his van and at local restaurants. As he became more known, he was commissioned to paint local governors and several US Presidents. But, he didn’t make his millions until he painted a simple “Blue Dog.”

I would say that good art makes you take notice and feel something.

I don't disagree. But what is that "something" it makes you feel? Is it the same "something" for you as it is for another person who appreciates it? That is what I mean by "undefinable". You might can define it for you, and someone else might can define it for themselves, but no one can define it for another person.

I personally like Kelley Jones and his Batman work in particular. He wasn't the greatest of artists, but he had both a cinematic eye for quality of shots and the undefinable "it" to his work that just spoke to me.



-slym

[kjjohanson]

I've never been a big fan of the cover for Solar #3. While it makes sense in the context of the story, I think comic cover art (at least, before the age of variants, where pretty much anything could go on a cover), the cover is an ad for the book, which shouldn't require any knowledge of the story to make sense. The Solar 3 cover always appeared to me as an unconnected presentation of two characters.

This thread makes me wonder what VH1 covers people think are the most iconic and/or underappreciated.