2000 AD #24

From the early weeks of 2000 AD's run in August 1977, Prog 24 features a cover by Kevin O'Neill that's hard to look away from: two explorers stand before a cave wall bearing an ancient "water-god" drawing, while looming behind them — very much real and very much alive — is a towering, golden armored mechanical giant with glowing red eyes and a serpentine tail coiling at its feet. The speech bubbles ("Wait till Charlie sees it — it'll KILL him!") add a wry dramatic tension that perfectly captures the comic's signature blend of adventure and dark humor. It's a snapshot of 2000 AD finding its confident, distinctive voice.