Guardians of the Galaxy #21

Part of Marvel's 2010 "Realm of Kings" crossover event, this issue of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's Guardians of the Galaxy promises cosmic chaos with a story titled "A Headful of Surprises!" Dave Wilkins' cover plunges two armored figures — one firing energy blasts, the other bracing through a firestorm of explosions and debris — into a beautifully rendered inferno of orange and gold. It's a visceral snapshot of the high-stakes, deep-space action that made this era of Marvel's cosmic titles so compelling.