The Shade #1

Spinning out of Starman by James Robinson and Gene Ha, this April 1997 one-shot puts the enigmatic Shade front and center — rendered by cover artist Tony Harris in a richly ornate composition that frames the gaunt, top-hatted figure clutching his cane against a deep crimson backdrop, surrounded by a gallery of period faces hinting at a story rooted in the 19th century. The Art Nouveau-inflected border and those watchful portrait medallions give the whole cover a sense of layered history and quiet menace. If you've been following the Shade through the pages of Starman, this is a compelling standalone spotlight on one of DC's most intriguing immortals.