JLA: Year One #7

The nascent Justice League tears through a massive war machine in this July 1998 installment of the celebrated JLA: Year One maxiseries, with cover art by Barry Kitson capturing Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman bursting through heavy machinery in an explosion of shrapnel — while a blue-skinned figure fires back from within the vehicle's cockpit. The tagline "War Machine!" and the story title "The American Way" promise the young League facing a threat very much built for overwhelming force. Written by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, this is the kind of high-energy chapter that reminds you why this team of early heroes earned their place in DC history.