Batman #44

Jock's cover for Batman #44 is a masterclass in atmosphere — Batman's cowled face emerges from a swirling storm of bats, his cape sweeping dramatically across a stark white background with cool teal accents cutting through the black-and-white composition. The image has a raw, painterly energy that feels genuinely unsettling, perfectly suited to the "Superheavy" arc that writers Scott Snyder and Brian Azzarello are steering through the New 52 era. With Jock on both pencils and inks and Lee Loughridge's restrained color palette doing heavy lifting, this November 2015 issue is a compelling visual package from cover to credits.