John Carter, Warlord of Mars #1

Marvel's 1977 launch of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter, Warlord of Mars arrives with a cover that earns its "Action-Packed 1st Issue!" badge — Gil Kane's pencils and Dave Cockrum's inks deliver a surging, chaotic scene of John Carter and a sword-wielding Dejah Thoris leaping above a snarling Martian beast, while a mass of green, multi-armed Tharks presses in from all sides and alien aircraft streak across the crimson sky. The energy is immediate and sweeping, capturing the pulp adventure spirit of Burroughs' beloved series with real visual confidence. Interior work from writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gil Kane promises that "The Air-Pirates of Mars" kicks off this Martian saga in grand style.