Avengers #34

Count Nefaria looms large on this double-sized finale cover, his glowing red eyes and predatory grin radiating dangerous confidence as he reaches toward the reader — a villain very much in command. George Pérez and Al Vey deliver a striking, menacing portrait that captures exactly the kind of threat only Earth's Mightiest Heroes could hope to contain, and it's no surprise this run earned the 2000 Wizard Fan Award for Best Series and Best Artist. Kurt Busiek's "The Nefaria Protocols" wraps up here in grand style, promising a showdown worthy of the roster of Avengers teased in the corner boxes above.