Inferno #4

The finale of DC's four-issue 1998 series goes out with one of the more disarming covers of the year — a yellow-and-red costumed heroine seated in a meditative lotus pose, eyes closed, radiating serene composure while a fiery, wide-eyed face looms ominously in the flames behind her. Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger frame the contrast brilliantly: self-help magazine headlines about "Renewing Yourself" and "Whole Fitness" surround her, playing inner peace against the infernal threat at her back. It's a clever, visually witty wrap-up to the series that suggests the real battle in "Who by Fire" may be as much internal as elemental.