The Champions #15

The Champions face their most overwhelming odds yet in this September 1977 showdown, as the cover — penciled and inked by Al Milgrom with inks by Mike Esposito — pits Hercules, Black Widow, Angel, and Iceman against a swarm of monstrous bee-like Death-Drones, with the massive, insidious Swarm looming over the battle as its self-proclaimed Lord of the Killer Bees. Every hero is clearly outmatched by sheer numbers, and the composition crackles with desperate, fist-flying energy that makes this "last stand" feel genuinely urgent. Inside, writer Bill Mantlo and artist John Byrne bring "Death Drone!" to life — a fine creative team for a team pushed right to the edge.