Batman Annual #27

This 2009 oversized annual brings together Batman, Azrael, and Robin in a striking cathedral setting, rendered by Jim Calafiore with gothic stained-glass windows and an explosive burst of fire overhead. On the cover, a steely Batman stands at center while the armored, clawed figure of Azrael looms in the foreground and Robin watches warily from the archway behind them — a tension-charged trio that sets the stage perfectly for Fabian Nicieza's "The Eighth Deadly Sin." At $4.99, it's a satisfying package of action and atmosphere with a team-up that promises more than a little moral complexity.