Darwyn Cooke was my favorite artist and one of my favorite writers. He was best known for his simplistic yet elegant art style that had a sense of optimism to it and recalled art styles of the Golden and Silver Ages. With his recent passing it has made me want to go back and look upon his works that I had read and also read new some of his works I hadnt got the chance to read. It also made me want to look back at all the covers he has done for comics over the years. I decided I'd share some of my favorite covers he has done.

1.) Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Darwyn Cooke

I absolutely love this cover and how casual it presents all these characters Cooke has worked with over the years. Its a really fun and cute cover and like how all these characters are just having a good time. Well except Harley Quinn and Joker don't seem to be too thrilled about their current situation. I also love how Green Arro is flipping off Green Lantern. This cover is just perfect in my opinion and I love how everyone from Batman to the Spirit to Catwoman to Silk Spectre to even Slam Bradley makes an appearance. Its like a greatest hits showcase for Cooke which is fitting since this is a showcase book for Cooke.

2.) DC The New Frontier Volume 1

There were several covers for Darwyn Cooke's magnum opus The New Frontier, but this one was probably my favorite. I really like how the characters are presented here and look very heroic. This cover to me is very nostalgic and hopeful in its look and does a great job of not only representing the book but these characters.

3.) DC The New Frontier Absolute Edition

Much like the previous New Frontier cover I love how it presents all these characters. They are all ready to go in and fight for justice. I especially just like it uses a white backdrop to allow all these characters' colorful costumes really pop. Its a very eye catching and beautiful cover in my opinion and I like how he has such a vast amount of characters from the book present here.

4.) Harley Quinn # 13 Variant Cover

Most people probably wouldn't have this cover so high but Im not most people. I love Harley Quinn, granted I love Catwoman more, so him doing anything related to her is perfect. In my opinion he is the best artist to touch her New 52 look and is the only one to make it look actually like Harley Quinn. He keeps her innocence and sexiness and makes her look very cute. Plus this cover is just so playful and funny. She's using a lighter and discovers she's surrounded my fireworks and dynomite.

5.) Aquaman #37 Variant Cover

Another one of Cooke's many great variant covers. This one has Aquaman and Mera kissing in the ocean. Its a very romantic and beautiful image. I really like the colors used here and just think its a very cute cover for Aquaman.

6.) The Twilight Children

The Twilight Children was a pretty good and mysterious series with some great artwork by Cooke. This cover helps capture some of that mystery. Looking at it you aren't quite sure what sure what it will be about and makes you want to. I remember seeing this and Cooke's name on it and wondering what it will be about. Obviously those three kids will be important but how and who is the person looking over them. In my opinion a good cover is one that makes you interested in reading the story inside and thats what this one did. Its very beautiful, mysterious, and also kind of has an art deco look and made me want to try this book and Im glad I did.

7.) Teen Titans # 5 Variant Cover

This cover really plays into Cooke's strong suit by using the Silver Age roster of the Teen Titans. All the characters look great and breathes fresh air into their classic looks. I really like how fun this cover looks and seems to capture the tone and style of the Silver Age Teen Titans. Its just awesome and makes me really want to read some classic Teen Titans.

8.) Detective Comics #37 Variant Cover

This is another cover that really captures the spirit of the characters presented. We have Bruce Wayne exhausted still in his Batsuit from fighting crime and Alfred taking care of him. I really like how it just showcases how absorbed and dedicated to fighting crime. Plus the art is just beautiful and has the style I generally asociate with Batman.

9.) Catwoman #1

It was hard choosing which Catwoman cover to include as he has done several great ones. Out of all the characters in DC Catwoman is probably the character worked with the most and had the most influence on by colaborating with Ed Brubaker. I chose this cover because I think it best showcases just what he brought to Catwoman. Here she looks mysterious and dangerous with a hint of sexiness and beauty. Cooke brought a sense of style to the character that I don't think she really had in most of her history, and though he wrote and drew some stories with her before Catwoman #1 this is where I think things really took off and set the template style for the series.

10.) Minutemen # 1

Before Watchmen was a highly controversial series of books by DC and a series that Cooke was the major creator driving force for the series. My initial opinion of Minutemen was that it was ok but had some really good art and after revisiting it I feel much more positively towards it and love the art even more. This cover really has a sense of former glory and nostalgia that is perfect for the Minutemen. Nite Owl looks fantastic and the colors just really pop. Its a really simple and beautiful cover that I cant help but want to hang up on my wall. It also offers promise for the series to come.

Honerable Mentions:

After going through his many covers and making this list I realized there really were too many great covers just to stop at ten. Ive decide to include some of his other covers that I love. He was an amazing artist and I really want to show tribute to all the great work he has done.

Darwyn Cooke was and is a legend and one of the greats in my opinion. Im just lucky that he has left behind so many great works hope more people in the future discover his great works.

Tell me do you agree with the covers I have listed and what are some of your favorite Darwyn Cooke covers?