Martian Manhunter: American Secrets #2

Eduardo Barreto's cover for this 1992 DC prestige-format series strikes a mood straight out of Cold War noir — a looming, shadowy Martian Manhunter dominates the deep crimson background while a wide-eyed blonde woman in a red dress crouches below him, equal parts glamour and dread. The stark two-figure composition brilliantly captures the miniseries' pulp-thriller atmosphere, pairing J'onn J'onzz's alien menace with unmistakable 1950s Americana. Gerard Jones and Barreto are clearly crafting something with real style and substance in this middle chapter of their three-part story.