Superman / Batman #14

Superman and Batman stand triumphant atop what appears to be a Mount Rushmore-like monument — its carved stone faces looming below them — as a fiery sunset sky sets a portentous mood for this opener of the five-part "Absolute Power" arc. The cover by Carlos Pacheco and Jesús Merino captures the World's Finest duo with a commanding presence, the bold tagline "Pretenders to the Throne!" hinting at a story that questions who truly holds power in their world. Jeph Loeb's partnership with Pacheco makes this 2005 series a genuinely compelling read for fans of big, ambitious superhero storytelling.