Avengers / Thunderbolts #6

The six-issue Avengers/Thunderbolts crossover reaches its conclusion with "Blood Will Tell," and Barry Kitson's cover sets the emotional stakes beautifully — a massive, weathered face dominates the image, a single tear tracing down its cheek, while a red-suited figure with clenched fists looms to the left and a black-and-gold costumed hero stands watchfully to the right. The composition is quietly striking, suggesting exhaustion and consequence rather than triumph. Writers Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with interior art by Tom Grummett and Gary Erskine, bring this collaboration between Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the "Justice, Like Lightning…" Thunderbolts to a close in 2004.