The Top 20 Gorilla Grodd Covers

While Super-Gorilla Grodd will always be primarily a Flash villain, the power and intensity of this great ape has pushed him to combat the greater DC Universe. Since the Scarlet Speedster has such an abundance of Rogues, Grodd will occasionally match-up against the Justice League's resident telepath, Martian Manhunter...

20) DC Super Stars#14: Secret Origins of Super-Villains #14 (June, 1977)

Goofy Aparo fun!

19) Super Friends #30 (March, 1980)

Firing a ray gun that turns people into apes. Gottabe Grodd!

18) Birds of Prey #23 (November, 2000)

Whatever happened to that "G" belt? Pimp! Still looks like Solovar is the one on a rampage, though. Too skinny and much too much cape.

17) The Secret Society of Super-Villains #4 (December, 1976)

If not for the funky Sasquatch Grodd, this could have ranked higher.

16) The Flash #193 (February, 2003)

Indistinct and overly bloody, but alright.

15) The Secret Society of Super-Villains #8 (August, 1977)

Captain Comet, Kid Flash and the Trickster may not impress, but the layout is solid.

14) The Flash #329 (February, 1984)

Nice tearing of the threads, but this is a bit too dated for the times.

13) Catwoman #27 (December, 1995)

Not the clearest case of Grodd, but them red eyes and that curiously sensual embrace tell you something is up! I hate to pick on the girls, but you know these were rough years when lone

12) DC Special Series #6: The Secret Society of Super-Villains Special  (1977)

It would be nice if Grodd were actually doing something, but his presence fill the cover, so that your eye is drawn to him above all others. Grodd's placement indicates his stature as team leader, and directing three name villains plus Angle-Man rates.

11) Green Lantern #30 (October, 1992)

A very un-'90s crossover, and Grodd stands victorious, but there's a lack of oomph to carry the day. Grodd is so cut he looks like a miscolored Man-Ape, but the swipe-y image lacks the gravity of the classic John Buscema shot with Captain America and Black Panther.

10) Justice League Unlimited #29 (March, 2007)

Unlike Action #424, you can totally tell that's the Super-Gorilla decking the Superman, and tossing in a Chuck Heston paraphrase besides. Unfortunately, it just isn't as hilariously transgressive of cape law.

9) The Flash #172 (August, 1967)

That is one freakish gorilla, but there's no confusing Grodd with the standard issue here. Negative space, implied menace and the 4th wall breaking conversation with simian fiend all attack your senses.

8) The Flash #127 (March, 1962)

This one works without trying very hard. Ever so slightly purple fur, great mass, a wicked caricatured face, and the simple fact that a gorilla would bother to zap his foe instead of pound them.

7) The Flash #192 (January, 2003)

There have been a number of Super-Gorilla Grodd telepathic beatdown covers, but this one works the best by far.

6) The Secret Society of Super-Villains #1 (June, 1976)

Grodd is rolling with the Rogues and tossing Justice League robots into a garbage can. What's not to love?

5) Action Comics #424 (June 1973)

This image is so full of win, but the colorist screwed the pooch. It might as well have been Titano.

4) Supergirl #4 (December, 1996)

It's tough to distinguish a Grodd cover from a general DC gorilla cover, especially when he lacks purplish hair, his monkey-mullet, a cape, tech or what have you. All Gary Frank needed was brooding evil intellect, but the chair helps.

3) JLA: Classified #3 (March 2005)

A flesh-eating Grodd roasting Batman over a spit while his friends look on in horror? My dreams aren't this good. However, the excess of flame and forced perspective hurts its Groddliness.

2) Flash #45 (December, 1990)

Ignore the stupid domesticated animals. Here's a thoroughly satisfied, slavering Grodd taking a seat to watch as his greatest foe is eaten alive.

1) Martian Manhunter Annual #2 (October 1999)

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their Martian.

Honorable Mentions
80 Page Giant #9: The Flash
The Flash (1959) #295
The Flash (1959) #300
The Flash (1959) #313
The Flash (1959) #329
DC Special Series #11: Flash Spectacular
The Secret Society of Super-Villains #11 (1977)
Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #20
Blue Devil #30
Angel and the Ape #3 (1991)
Supergirl (1996) #47
Legends of the DC Universe #19
The Flash (1987) #178
The Flash (1987) #240
Justice League of America (2006) #14
Salvation Run #4
Superman/Batman #63

Check out more spotlight countdowns of great art from the past 75 years of DC Comics Covers at DC75: Top Character Covers of the Dodranscentennial