Captain America #3

Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's acclaimed run hits its third chapter of "Out of Time" with a cover that crackles with urgency — Captain America and a blonde woman fight back-to-back against a surrounding squad of heavily armed soldiers, his shield raised and her rifle at the ready. Epting's cover pencils and inks deliver a grounded, kinetic intensity that perfectly captures the tone of this 2005 series, blending superhero action with a gritty, espionage-tinged aesthetic. If you're following this six-part arc, this issue's cover alone makes a strong case for why this creative team was generating so much excitement.