What makes the best comic book covers? It is a great topic for debate. For us, as individuals, there is no wrong answer, of course; it is purely subjective. But, with a little thought it’s possible to explain what it is about a particular image that grabs you. The best images are the ones that make you stop and check out something you weren’t previously planning to purchase – and in some cases, you even end up picking up a title you’ve never even heard of before.

Comic book superstar Brian Michael Bendis may be known for his edgy superhero epics, but back in the day, his genre of choice was crime fiction. He married the two themes for the first time in critically acclaimed tales like “The Sellouts” storyline, an important chapter of which is found in Image Comics’ Powers #26.

“The Sellouts” are actually the aged and, oftentimes, depraved former members of The Unity – the world’s one-time premier super-team par excellence. And although their individual stories are compelling in and among themselves, it is artist and co-creator Mike Oeming’s cover to this memorable issue that really captures the imagination.

Oeming paid homage to the late, great artist Alex Toth and his iconic image of Hanna-Barbera’s Super-Friends, which featured the pantheon of DC’s most popular characters. But where the Justice League is a mighty force to be reckoned with, the broken members that make up The Unity have seen their better days behind them.  

As for this treasured tome, though, it indubitably offers both story and art that any true comic book fan can get behind.

–Scott Braden