Green Lantern #44

Part of DC's sweeping 2009 "Blackest Night" crossover, this issue pairs writer Geoff Johns with artist Doug Mahnke (with inks by Christian Alamy) for a cover that sets a genuinely unsettling tone. A decayed, black-ring-bearing figure — a horrific undead version of the Flash — looms over a struggling Green Lantern, pinning him into crumbling rubble with terrifying force. The image captures the core dread of the Blackest Night saga perfectly: even the most trusted allies can become the most dangerous threats.