Astro City #22

Alex Ross's painted cover for this 2015 Vertigo issue tells a quietly moving story all on its own: a weathered, white-bearded old man in a red costume cradles a bottle of Astro Ale, his expression carrying the weight of a long life spent in the cape-and-cowl trade, while a red-masked heroine leans in close beside him amid sweeping, vine-draped alien architecture stretching into a violet sky. The contrast between his aged, contemplative face and the vibrant fantastical world surrounding him sets the tone perfectly for a story titled "Hero's Reward." Kurt Busiek and Jesús Merino bring their signature heart to Astro City's ongoing exploration of what superhero life really costs — and perhaps what it sometimes gives back.