Blackhawk #4

Blackhawk throws himself into a roadside brawl on Rick Burchett's kinetic cover for this fourth issue of DC's 1989 mature-readers series — the hero in his distinctive blue-and-yellow uniform trading blows with two heavyset thugs while a third gunman in green takes aim from behind a wrecked period automobile in the background. With Martin Pasko writing and the title "Better Dying through Chemistry" teasing something darker beneath the fisticuffs, this issue makes a strong case that the new-format Blackhawk had plenty of punch to offer readers willing to follow it along.