Superman #188

Superman #188 (January 2003) kicks off Chuck Austen's run on the title with a cover that perfectly captures the Man of Steel in full flight — fist cocked, heat vision blazing, debris exploding around him as he carries a dark-haired woman to safety, all under the teasing tagline "A Life Less Ordinary." Tom Raney and Scott Hanna deliver a cover that feels both kinetic and intimate, balancing superheroic power with a surprisingly personal moment. As a bonus, the issue includes a free preview of Aquaman's first issue, making it a solid package for any DC reader of the era.