The Rawhide Kid #109

Things look decidedly grim for Marvel's fast-drawing frontier hero in The Rawhide Kid #109 — the cover by Larry Lieber and George Roussos shows the Kid dangling upside-down from a rope trap, his guns knocked loose, while three armed outlaws close in with triumphant grins and a boast that "now nobody can stop us!" Subtitled "Blazing Western Action As You Like It," this 1973 issue promises tension in spades with its story "The Vengeance!" — and that cover image of a helpless, snared hero surrounded by enemies sets the stakes up beautifully. If you enjoy your Westerns with genuine nail-biting danger, this one looks like a fine place to start.