Mystique #20

Mystique fixes the reader with her golden, reptilian eyes and raises a black-gloved finger to her lips — a wordless command that sets the tone perfectly for "Quiet," the five-part arc kicking off here. Mike Mayhew's cover renders Raven Darkhölme's blue skin and cascading red hair with a striking, almost photorealistic stillness, the small skull ornament at her brow adding just the right edge of menace. With Sean McKeever writing and the art team of Manuel García and Raúl Fernández on interiors, this 2004 series continues to make a compelling case that Marvel's most dangerous shapeshifter deserves her own spotlight.