The Twelve #1

Styled like a pulp novel cover and billed as "A Thrilling Novel of Tomorrow," this first issue of J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston's twelve-part Marvel series announces itself with real confidence. Kaare Andrews's cover art assembles a striking group of costumed figures — a red-and-blue-clad hero at the center flanked by a blonde woman, a flame-wielding figure, a masked speedster, and several other determined-looking heroes emerging from the shadows behind them. It's a moody, cinematic opening chapter that promises something a little different from the Marvel universe of 2008.