Captain America #45

Steve Epting's cover for this 2009 issue is a striking composition — a resolute Captain America stands front and center, shield firmly in hand, while sepia-toned figures including Black Widow and what appears to be a previous Captain America flank him in the background, evoking a sense of history and legacy. It's a fittingly weighty visual for the conclusion of "Time's Arrow," the three-part arc that Ed Brubaker has been crafting with artists Luke Ross and Butch Guice. Frank D'Armata's colors make the red, white, and blue of Cap's costume and shield pop brilliantly against the muted backdrop, giving the whole image a quiet but powerful gravitas.