Batman: Battle for the Cowl: Commissioner Gordon #1

Part of DC's 2009 "Battle for the Cowl" event, this one-shot puts Commissioner Gordon front and center in a Gotham suddenly without its Dark Knight. The cover by José Ladrönn says it all — a trench-coated Gordon stands resolute against a full moon casting a bat-shaped shadow, revolver in hand, his expression steady amid falling debris and the glow of distant flames. With Royal McGraw writing and Tom Mandrake on interior art, "A Cold Day in Hell" promises a compelling look at the man who keeps Gotham's thin blue line from breaking.