Strikeforce: Morituri #17

Strikeforce: Morituri was launched by Marvel Comics in 1986, created by writer Peter B. Gillis and artist Brent Anderson. The series offered a subversion of traditional superhero tropes, centering on a group of volunteers who receive superpowers to fight an alien occupation of Earth, knowing that the process will inevitably kill them within a year. Issue #17, published in 1987, fits squarely into the series' exploration of mortality, existential dread, and the political machinations of the governing body overseeing the program.

The art and narrative tone of the series were intentionally grounded and somber, reflecting the cynicism of late 1980s dark-age comics. By the time issue #17 was released, the title had established a cult following for its willingness to permanently remove central characters and its focus on the psychological toll of terminal heroism. The design and aesthetic choices favored a more gritty, realistic depiction of conflict, departing from the colorful, indestructible archetypes typically favored by the major publishers of that era.