The Legend of the Shield #5

From Impact Comics' 1991 revival of the patriotic hero comes Legend of the Shield #5, subtitled "Trapped!" — and the cover by Grant Miehm makes that danger feel immediate. The Shield is pinned beneath a massive military vehicle as it explodes against a rocky outcrop, clutching his star-spangled shield in a desperate bid to survive, while a second costumed figure streaks through the sky in the background. It's a kinetic, ground-level moment of peril that sets the stakes for the "Heritage" story within, courtesy of the creative team of Mark Waid, Grant Miehm, and colorist Tom Ziuko.