The Avengers #396

In "Balance of Power (First Sign Part 4)," the Avengers face off against two formidable foes from the Zodiac, testing their limits in a high-stakes battle across Manhattan. Meanwhile, a young Tony Stark pushes the boundaries of science, attempting to forge a temporal gateway—his ambition echoing far beyond the moment. Written by Terry Kavanagh and illustrated by John Statema, with Tom Palmer on inks and Frank Lopez handling colors, this 1996 issue delivers a tense, forward-moving chapter in a larger scheme, all wrapped in a striking cover by Luke Ross and Tom Palmer.