Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

This 1995 Marvel series opener puts Nick Fury front and center in a way that means business — heavily armored, gritting his teeth, and charging forward through a wall of fire with an energy weapon blazing in his hands. The S.H.I.E.L.D. logo looms large above him like a badge of authority, while a small inset panel in the corner hints at the grim-faced operative fans know well. Cover pencils by Corky C. Lehmkuhl and inks by Mark McKenna give the whole thing a raw, kinetic energy that suits a man who's never been one for subtlety.