Hero for Hire #16

The December 1973 cover by Billy Graham pulls no punches — Luke Cage squares off in fierce combat against Stiletto, whose wrist-mounted blade weapons crackle with electrical threat while a speech bubble ominously warns of a "next blade designed to electrocute him." A smaller image of Cage leaping into action anchors the top of the composition, and the bold "Shake Hands With Stiletto!" tagline makes it clear this villain means serious business. At 20 cents, this Marvel Comics Group issue delivers the raw, street-level energy that made Hero for Hire one of the more distinctive superhero series of its era.