Avengers Annual #1

A painted cover by Gabriele Dell'Otto sets a fierce tone for this 2012 Avengers Annual, depicting Iron Man delivering a powerful kick to a pale, seemingly unhinged figure crackling with energy — the two locked in a brutal midair collision against a rain-soaked urban backdrop. The painted work, colored by Ive Svorcina, gives both figures a visceral, almost cinematic weight that suits an oversized annual perfectly. With Brian Michael Bendis at the helm, this is a satisfying package for any fan of the Avengers' more intense street-level confrontations.