In one of the most iconic comic book images of all time, the cover to Batman #497 is an emotionally arresting visual. As a character, Batman seemed to be the most unbreakable human being in DC Comics, but this cover by Kelley Jones showed otherwise. It is tremendously powerful, and was put to film in The Dark Knight Rises and numerous other Batman media. It still works, even to this day, as a truly horrifying image.
39. Action Comics #583 (Curt Swan)
A legendary cover that served as the farewell to the pre-Crisis Superman, fittingly drawn by the man who defined him; Curt Swan. It is technically considered the final Superman story for the pre-Crisis version of the character, though its cannon status is continuously debated. However you see it, it's still one of the greatest Superman covers of all time and is a touching send-off to a Superman that deserved one.
38. New Gods #1 (Jack Kirby)
There's nothing in this world that's quite as beautiful as a Jack Kirby cover, complete with all of his trademarks and little touches. The cover to New Gods #1 is one of his best, all of that wonderful imagination that he was famous for in one blazing cover. Everything just works together, a harmony of ink and pencils, as well as a quirky Orion color scheme that shows how in motion his mind always was.
37. Tales From The Teen Titans #43 (George Perez)
The Teen Titans were a sensation in the 1980's thanks to the stellar work of writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez, whose work on Tales of the Teen Titans #42 is absolutely stunning. The fan favorite storyline known as The Judas Contract began right on this cover, and it's Perez at the top of his game. It's an uneasy cover, with that very distinct feeling of being watched seeping through brilliantly.
36. Kingdom Come #4 (Alex Ross)
Mark Waid's seminal work rocked the comic book industry, showing that these characters could be presented in a real-world setting, yet still maintain what makes them so magical. The covers and interior art done by Alex Ross absolutely made the book as powerful as it is, and no cover in the series is as purely incredible as issue #4. It's Ross as only Ross can do it, with breathtaking colors and iconic imagery.
