10 Comic Book Cover Gimmicks That Cheapened Great Characters

4. Superheroes Being Jerks

In real life, normal people love to point out when celebs are douchebags - after all, it makes us all feel that little bit better about ourselves, and makes their sleeping on solid gold mattresses a little easier to swallow. If superheroes really existed, I would assume we would extend them the same courtesy. As such, a cover showing a hero as a bit of a d*ck is bound to make readers inquisitive, and have other, more overtly sadistic fans rubbing their hands with glee. Why would Captain America steal a baby? Why would Batman punch an old lady? These are questions that need answering. Example: Superman The trend of having covers depicting Superman as a jerk was a particularly popular trope during the 50s and 60s. The idea of course was that Superman was such a paragon of morals that readers would be shocked to see him act like a jerk, but it ceased to have any effect after 379 instances of jerkiness, though no-one seems to have told the writers and cover makers. This cover is just one of many examples; you could write an essay on how ridiculous it is. So let's get through this: Jimmy is a reporter at a newspaper, so I don't think he's young enough to be adopted even as a joke. In addition, that robe is awesome considering that in-universe Superman memorabilia is probably uncommon and custom made. And lastly, why the hell would Jimmy keep hanging out with this jerk?