Azrael #45

Set against a dense jungle backdrop, this September 1998 issue pits Azrael — clad in his red-and-gold suit and wielding a blazing flaming sword — against a determined Deathstroke, who braces himself on the ground with his own glowing blade at the ready. The cover tagline "Deathstroke Stands His Ground!" says it all: this is a collision between two formidably armed combatants, rendered with sharp energy by cover artists Roger Robinson and James Pascoe. Dennis O'Neil's long-running series rarely lets up, and the promise of Azrael versus one of DC's most tenacious mercenaries makes this a compelling addition to any run.