What makes the best comic book covers? It is a great topic for debate. For us, as individuals, there is no wrong answer, of course; it is purely subjective. But, with a little thought it’s possible to explain what it is about a particular image that grabs you. The best images are the ones that make you stop and check out something you weren’t previously planning to purchase – and in some cases, you even end up picking up a title you’ve never even heard of before.

The sophomore release of Voyager Communications’ fledgling comic book publisher, Valiant, Solar, Man of the Atom captured the imagination of legions of fans in the early 1990s, and found itself a must-have buy at comics specialty shops. And with covers as amazing as the one featured on the January 1992-dated Solar, Man of the Atom #5, it is no wonder!

Nothing said this series was something special like this issue’s visually stunning cover by acclaimed creator and former member of the legendary Studio, Barry Windsor-Smith. Under his masterful pen, he created, as described in the first volume of Fantagraphics Books’ Barry Windsor-Smith: Opus HC, a self-portrait of himself for Solar’s alter-ego, Phil Seleski. Only on the page, the Windsor-Smith-modeled Seleski mentally changed the molecules in the air to manifest itself into the Man of the Atom’s hood. It’s a striking vision, and makes one not only want to read about the hero…but also become the hero.

Described by some as Valiant’s meta comic, the first several issues of Solar chronicles Phil Seleski’s decision to don the persona of the scarlet clad superhero that is the Man of the Atom, as well as tell his tragic origin. And, truth be told, it is an origin that ties directly into a previous “Cover Story” selection, Unity #0. Buy these issues – and the rest of the first ten Solar, Mon of the Atom chapters – and discover that most excellent tale for yourself.

-Scott Braden