Justice League of America #204

The Royal Flush Gang is dealing the Justice League a very bad hand in this July 1982 issue, and George Pérez and Dick Giordano's cover captures the chaos beautifully — Superman, Black Canary, Green Arrow, and their teammates are scattered and staggered across a surreal landscape of giant playing cards, while the King, Queen, Jack, and other Gang members press their attack from every angle. "Battle Royal (The Royal Flush Gang, That Is!)" promises exactly the kind of all-out superhero brawl that made this era of DC so energetic and fun. With Gerry Conway scripting and a dynamic cover that practically spills off the page, issue #204 is a genuinely entertaining snapshot of the JLA at full throttle.