Excalibur #26

The cover of Excalibur #26 (1990) makes a striking promise right up front — "Their future comes back to haunt them!" — as a blazing, arms-wide figure dominates the background in a burst of flame, while five teammates stand their ground below: Captain Britain in his red-and-blue uniform, a casually robed figure, a dark crimson energy-wreathed woman at center, a red-haired woman in a dramatic blue cape, and a blue-skinned Nightcrawler in white and red. Ron Lim and Joe Rubinstein deliver a confident ensemble portrait that radiates tension without giving away a thing. It's a compelling snapshot of one of Marvel's most adventurous team books at full stride in 1990.