Superman Annual #1

Superman crackles with raw energy on Kenneth Rocafort's striking cover for this 2012 New 52 annual, depicting the Man of Steel in his sleek armored suit surging forward through a storm of white-hot lightning. The tagline "The Man of Steel Faces Alien Extinction!" sets a suitably grand stage for "Protector of the People," a story brought to life by an impressive creative team including writers Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza alongside a talented roster of artists. At $4.99, this oversized annual delivers the kind of scope and ambition that makes DC's annual format so worthwhile.