Adventures of Superman #598

There's something wonderfully timeless about Clark Kent mid-transformation — and this cover by Mike Wieringo and José Marzán Jr. captures that thrill perfectly, showing him in a phone booth pulling open his suit jacket to reveal the unmistakable red-and-blue of the Superman costume beneath, all while casting a cautious sidelong glance. The bold tagline "A Call for Help!" adds just the right note of urgency to the scene. Writer Joe Casey launches the "Cult of Persuasion" prologue here, making this January 2002 issue a compelling starting point for whatever challenge awaits the Man of Steel.