John Carter, Warlord of Mars #17

Adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs' beloved Martian saga, this 1978 Marvel entry finds John Carter at a desperate crossroads — sword raised and jaw set, he cradles an unconscious woman in his arms while shadowy warriors mass ominously in the background. The cover's teaser "Trapped by the Savage Orovars!" paired with the haunting question "What Price Victory?" sets a genuinely tense mood, and the striking linework from penciler Ernie Colón and inker Rudy Nebres gives the scene real emotional weight. Chris Claremont handles the script for this second chapter of "The Master Assassin of Mars," making it a fine place to see what Barsoom's greatest warrior is willing to risk for the people he loves.