Action Comics #478

A desperate SOS blazes across the cover of this December 1977 issue as Superman battles a squad of armed, purple-suited figures on what appears to be the lunar surface, with the Earth itself visible in the background — and a caption warning that the Man of Steel is fighting for his own life while the planet hangs in the balance. Rich Buckler's pencils and Bob Oksner's inks give the scene real urgency, with Superman's cape whipping dramatically as he punches through his attackers. Writer Gerry Conway and artist Curt Swan deliver what looks to be a genuinely high-stakes cosmic adventure with "Earth's Last Day!" — a title that doesn't leave much room for comfort.