Incredible Hercules #129

Hercules stands front and center on this striking 2009 cover by David Williams — arms crossed, expression steely, dressed in his classical gold-and-green warrior's garb — while a crowd of Marvel heroes surges dramatically behind him, including figures recognizable as mutants and cosmic characters set against a fiery, hellish backdrop. The sheer scope of that assembled cast hints at something far bigger than a solo adventure, perfectly matching the ominous story title "The Descent." Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente's run on this series consistently delivered mythological spectacle with genuine heart, and this issue looks to be no exception.