Citizen V and the V-Battalion #2

Spinning out of Thunderbolts, this 2001 Marvel series brings "action and intrigue" to the fore with issue #2, "Burning Bridges." The cover by Michael Ryan and Sean Parsons puts Citizen V front and center — a commanding figure in his striking blue, red, and white costume, skull emblem prominent on his chest — while a dynamic ghosted montage of additional characters fills the background, hinting at the larger cast surrounding this high-stakes mission. Writer Fabian Nicieza keeps the tension taut, and with Ryan and Parsons delivering sharp, energetic linework throughout, this is a series with a lot of style to back up its ambition.