Guardians of the Galaxy #9

Set in Marvel's 31st century, this February 1991 issue kicks off the three-part "World of Mutants" arc with a cover that wastes no time making an impression. The fearsome Rancor dominates the foreground, claws bared and cape flying as she delivers punishment to a downed opponent, while a winged female figure swoops from above and a blue-skinned warrior engages from the right — with more combatants caught in the chaos around them. Penciled by Jim Valentino and inked by Rob Liefeld, it's a kinetic, crowded battle scene that sets an appropriately ferocious tone for whatever awaits the Guardians on a world ruled by mutants.