Superman: The Man of Steel #104

This September 2000 issue of Superman: Man of Steel puts the Man of Steel himself in a vulnerable spot — literally — as a powerfully built armored figure in a teal suit, red cape, and visored helmet looms over a pinned-down Superman, wielding an enormous hammer and a staff tipped with green Kryptonite energy. The striking gatefold-style cover design by Ed McGuinness and Cam Smith frames the confrontation with the story title "No Axioms" woven through the lettering, making the threat feel both immediate and imposing. Mark Schultz, Doug Mahnke, and Tom Nguyen bring their talents to this issue, promising the kind of high-stakes Superman storytelling that made this era of the title so compelling.