Guardians of the Galaxy #18

Against a blazing cosmic nebula, cover artist Pasqual Ferry assembles a striking lineup of heroes — a sword-wielding warrior, a bearded figure in green, a flaming-headed woman clutching Captain America's shield and a pistol, and a massively built powerhouse, all framed beneath a glowing energy axe and a caped figure soaring above. This 2009 issue of Guardians of the Galaxy — written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with interior art by Wesley Craig and colors by Nathan Fairbairn — promises far-flung adventure right in its title: "Other Worlds, Other Wars." It's a vivid snapshot of the team at full force, radiating the kind of cosmic scope that made this era of Marvel's galaxy-spanning storytelling so compelling.