The Marvels Project #3

The third chapter of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's eight-part series exploring Marvel's Golden Age origins turns up the heat — literally — with a cover by Steve McNiven depicting the Sub-Mariner, fists clenched and expression fierce, striding forward through a ring of roaring flames. The scaly trunks, pointed ears, and wristbands leave no doubt about Namor's identity, and the fire surrounding him lends the image a raw, elemental intensity that feels perfectly suited to this era of emerging super-beings. Dave Stewart's colors bathe the whole scene in molten oranges and golds, making this one of the more striking covers in the run.