Fantastic Four #93

Jack Kirby and Frank Giacoia set the stage for a brutal gladiatorial showdown on this December 1969 cover, depicting a massive armored warrior raising a hammer over a fallen Thing before a crowd of suited spectators in a grand arena. The tagline "Arena of Death!" says it all — Ben Grimm is down but clearly not out, his rocky fists clenched even as his opponent looms over him. Stan Lee's story title "At the Mercy of Torgo!" promises that this issue puts Marvel's most lovably tough hero through the wringer in spectacular fashion.