The Avengers #204

The cover of this February 1981 issue sets an urgent, kinetic tone — a powerful, blue-suited villain dominates the center as energy blasts and raking lines tear across the composition, while Iron Man, the Scarlet Witch, Captain America, and Beast are caught in the chaos around him, with the bold tagline "Trapped on the Island of the Yellow Claw!" leaving little doubt that Earth's Mightiest Heroes are in serious trouble. Bob Budiansky's pencils and Joe Rubinstein's inks deliver a beautifully dynamic scene, all tension and motion. Inside, David Michelinie joins the creative team for "Claws Across the Water!", making this a fine snapshot of the Avengers title firing on all cylinders in the early '80s.