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.

In the winter of 1995, filmmakers James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow gave us the cult Twentieth Century Fox film, Strange Days. In December of that year, Marvel released an adaptation of the much-publicized movie starring Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett.     

According to Dan Raviv’s Comic Wars, it is well documented that the film studio – which is ironically now owned by Marvel’s parent company, Disney – was interested in making films based on the popular comic book publisher’s various characters and concepts. Speculation leads one to think that this adaptation came out of that business relationship.

The adaptation’s striking cover presents a pivotal scene from the film to Marvel fans everywhere. Illustrated by Mike McKone and Bill Reinhold, with story by D.G. Chichester, this must-have one-shot for both film and comic fans is worth the trip to the comic book store and back! 

–Scott Braden