Black Panther #46

T'Challa stands arms-crossed against a blazing desert sunset, his golden vibranium necklace and retractable claws catching the warm light while glowing eyes pierce out from beneath his mask — it's a striking portrait of quiet, coiled authority. The southwestern landscape behind him, complete with saguaro cacti and silhouetted mesas, sets an unexpected Western stage that makes the "Saddles Ablaze" story title feel immediately intriguing. Writer Christopher Priest and artist Jorge Lucas bring a confident energy to this 2002 Marvel run, and this cover alone makes a compelling case for picking up Part 1.