Superman #346

Something has gone terribly wrong with the Man of Steel in Superman #346 — the cover, penciled by Ross Andru and inked by Dick Giordano, shows a wide-eyed Superman hovering above Metropolis while an alarming burst of flame erupts from his mouth, sending bystanders — including a horrified Lana Lang and a cigar-waving onlooker — scrambling for safety. The bold cover copy warns readers to "avoid contact" with Superman, teasing a story by writer Gerry Conway with art by Curt Swan that promises a very bad day for the world's greatest hero. If you've ever wondered what it looks like when Superman's own powers become a public menace, this 1980 issue makes a compelling case.