300

In 1999, Frank Miller brought his signature stark, stylized art and unflinching storytelling to this single-issue comic published by Schreiber & Leser. A visceral, cinematic retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, it strips the historical clash down to its brutal essence, focusing on King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans as they make their legendary last stand. Though brief in length, this standalone work became a defining visual statement of its era, its iconic imagery and terse narrative influencing how the ancient world is depicted in comics and beyond.