Batman Beyond #23

Part four of "Target: Batman" puts the Dark Knight of tomorrow in a deeply unsettling spotlight — literally in a boxing ring, sitting in the corner in full red-and-black Batman Beyond armor with boxing gloves, facing a looming Scarecrow who stands center-ring pulling strings like a puppeteer, while a second fighter crouches on the opposite side of the ropes. Viktor Kalvachev's painted cover composition is genuinely striking, casting the whole scene in a warm, ominous amber glow that makes Scarecrow's burlap grin feel all the more sinister. If you've been following this arc by Williamson, Duce, and Guerrero, issue #23 makes it clear the stakes — and the matchups — are getting very interesting.