Batman #481

Batman #481 brings a mythological twist to Gotham in this 1992 entry, as a toga-clad figure seated on an ornate throne sends a crackling bolt of energy straight into the Dark Knight — with Batman grimacing through the impact in the foreground while Batman and Robin stand watchfully in the background. Jim Aparo's clean, kinetic linework sells the confrontation beautifully, capturing both the thunderous power of the "Messenger of Zeus" and Batman's determined refusal to go down. Doug Moench's story promises something a little different from street-level crime, blending ancient myth with Gotham's gritty present.