Unknown Soldier #18

Vertigo's Unknown Soldier #18 (May 2010) brings Joshua Dysart and Alberto Ponticelli's "Dry Season" arc to its conclusion, and Dave Johnson's stark cover makes the weight of that moment felt immediately — a heavily bandaged figure stands in sharp black-and-white contrast, assault rifle in hand, the composition split by a vivid red stripe running the full length of the image. It's a striking piece of graphic economy that perfectly captures the series' unflinching tone. Praised as "a must read" by The Examiner, this Vertigo mature-readers title continued to earn that reputation in 2010.