Astonishing Tales #29

Four determined heroes stride forward in purposeful formation on this April 1975 Marvel "Sensational Special Issue" — a massive armored figure at the center flanked by a purple-skinned warrior, a colorfully patterned fighter, and a blue-toned figure bearing a staff, with menacing shadowy faces looming in the stormy background. The banner says it all: "Four Men Against a Savage Far-Flung Future!!" Cover pencils by Gene Colan and inks by Mike Esposito give the Guardians of the Galaxy a bold, kinetic presence that feels both heroic and urgent. With Arnold Drake writing and Colan also handling interior art, this is a strong entry in the team's early Astonishing Tales run.