Marvel Super Action #26

The Swordsman takes center stage on this December 1980 Marvel Super Action reprint, with cover art by Gene Colan, John Romita, and Frank Giacoia capturing him in a moment of fierce, explosive action — his blade unleashing a burst of energy that sends opponents flying in every direction against a vivid blue backdrop. The cover tagline "The Swordsman Strikes!" says it all, with the figure's red-and-dark costume rendered with real dynamism amid a scatter of defeated foes. It's a satisfying showcase for one of the Avengers' more complicated members, with the interior story "Mightier Than the Sword?" — by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan — promising plenty of classic Bronze Age drama to match.