Ultimate Human #3

The penultimate chapter of this four-issue Marvel series brings the tension to a fever pitch, with Cary Nord's cover art delivering an up-close, visceral image of the Hulk looming over a battered Iron Man — the green giant's massive fist clutching the hero's red-and-gold armored helmet while a repulsor light still glows defiantly. Warren Ellis's script and Nord's artwork (colored beautifully by Dave Stewart) make this 2008 series a genuinely compelling read for fans of both characters. The stark white background puts every ounce of focus on this raw, imposing standoff between two of Marvel's heaviest hitters.