The Defenders #68

Herb Trimpe's cover for this February 1979 issue captures the raw urgency of the Defenders' dire situation perfectly — the Hulk strains with every ounce of his might against a cascade of shattering rock and rubble, while inset portraits of a terrified blonde woman and two winged, masked heroes convey that the whole team is in peril. The cover tagline, "Trapped Beyond the Gates of Death," sets a suitably high-stakes tone for the story inside, titled "Valhalla Can Wait!" With David Kraft and Ed Hannigan on writing duties and Herb Trimpe handling both pencils and inks, this issue has a confident, kinetic energy that makes it a satisfying entry in the series' run.