Arak / Son of Thunder #3

Ernie Colón's cover for this 1981 DC adventure puts Arak, Son of Thunder front and center — weapons drawn, muscles taut — alongside a young woman brandishing a blade of her own, both apparently bracing against the looming, golden winged figure that dominates the background. The cover promises "The Sword of the Iron Maiden" across a full 27 pages, and the tension radiating off these two fighters makes that thriller tag feel well earned. Roy Thomas and Ernie Colón were clearly bringing something ambitious to DC's sword-and-sorcery corner that November.