Brightest Day #20

Aquaman roars in agony on this striking 2011 cover — his fist bloodied, crashing surf swirling at his feet — while Black Manta looms behind him, spear raised and glowing eyes fixed with cold intent. The "Aquawar" banner and the blunt cover-line "Black Manta Strikes!" set an unmistakably dire tone for Part Two of this arc. Written by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi with interior art by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, this chapter of Brightest Day promises high-stakes conflict beneath — and above — the waves, all framed by Gary Frank's dynamic cover pencils and inks.