Batgirl #5

Part of DC's New 52 initiative, this March 2012 issue of Batgirl drops readers into a snow-swept confrontation as Barbara Gordon — bloodied but clearly not beaten — crouches in a defensive stance while an enormous, bruised fist looms threateningly above her. The cover, penciled and inked by Adam Hughes, teases the arrival of Gretel, a new villain the cover copy promises is "sickly sweet and sadistic," making for a striking contrast against Batgirl's determined composure. Written by Gail Simone with art by Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes, this chapter — "A Candy Full of Spiders" — looks like a genuinely tense addition to Barbara's New 52 adventures.