Human Target #4

Peter Milligan and Javier Pulido kick off "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" with a cover that puts you right in the crosshairs — a determined man levels a pistol directly at the viewer while the looming shadow of a figure raising a baseball bat hangs over him, setting an instantly tense, noir-drenched tone. Pulido's clean linework and bold use of negative space make the threat feel immediate and personal, a perfect visual setup for a story arc that promises danger dressed in America's favorite pastime. This Vertigo X title, rated for mature readers, continues to earn its Washington Post "A" — this 2004 issue is a fine place to see why.