Adventures of Superman #518

Part seven of DC's sprawling 1994 "Dead Again" crossover brings the stakes to a cosmic level, and this cover by Barry Kitson and Ray McCarthy delivers the tension in full. Superman — long-haired in his post-resurrection look, costume torn and expression anguished — writhes against crackling pink lightning while Darkseid looms large above him, Omega Beams blazing from his eyes, flanked by a menacing crowd of Apokoliptian figures. The tagline "Darkseid of the Force!" says it all: Karl Kesel, Kitson, McCarthy, and Montano are pitting the Man of Steel against one of the DC Universe's most formidable threats, and the outcome looks anything but certain.