Aztek: The Ultimate Man #1

Aztek: The Ultimate Man #1 was published in 1996 by DC Comics, serving as the debut of a character co-created by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar, with interior art by N. Steven Harris. The series was born out of the mid-90s push to expand the DC Universe with unique, high-concept heroes, introducing Uno, a man raised by a secret society to become a champion for the deity Quetzalcoatl. The narrative was intentionally designed to blend esoteric, pulp-inspired adventure with the cynical sensibilities of the era’s comic book landscape.

The character's aesthetic was heavily influenced by Aztec mythology, featuring a high-tech suit that harnessed cosmic energy to provide the wearer with various superhuman abilities. Designed to stand out against the grittier anti-heroes popular at the time, Aztek was positioned as a mysterious, earnest protector. While the initial ten-issue limited series received a respectful cult following for its ambitious world-building and metaphysical themes, it ultimately struggled to capture a broad audience, leading the character to be relegated to occasional appearances in wider DC ensemble titles thereafter.