Nightwing #9

Scott McDaniel and Karl Story's cover for Nightwing #9 (June 1997) is a visceral, kinetic image: Dick Grayson in his black-and-blue costume is shown falling or being dragged downward, his expression strained with effort, while a swarm of dark, bat-like creatures claw at him from every direction against a burning red cityscape. The sense of being overwhelmed — outnumbered and pulled apart — makes "Die Trying" a title that feels entirely earned just from the image alone. Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel's ongoing collaboration on this series was firing on all cylinders by issue nine, and this cover alone makes a compelling case to open it up.