Superman #20

Against a blazing yellow background, Aaron Kuder's cover for Superman #20 puts the Man of Steel front and center — battered but utterly determined — trading earth-shaking blows with a heavily armored, battle-scarred opponent whose cracked helmet and red suit suggest someone built to go toe-to-toe with Krypton's last son. The word "SMASH!" erupts across the image in a way that practically rattles the page, setting a visceral, kinetic tone for Scott Lobdell's story "Wham!" The New 52 era is firing on all cylinders here, and this July 2013 issue makes a strong case that Superman's toughest fights are the ones where he walks away looking just as rough as his enemy.