Which one of the first four titles of the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise started the series of iconic image grid cover arts?

The answer is Grand Theft Auto III. This game was the first in the franchise to introduce the iconic image grid cover arts that have become synonymous with the series. The image grid cover art of Grand Theft Auto III featured a collage of various scenes and characters from the game, showcasing its gritty and immersive open-world environment. This new style of cover art became a trademark for the series and has been continued and adapted in subsequent installments, making it an integral part of the Grand Theft Auto brand.