American Vampire #26

A shadowy figure in a military cap peers through stage curtains, red eyes gleaming in the dimness, while a vintage broadcast microphone dominates the foreground — it's a genuinely atmospheric setup for "The Nocturnes Part 1 of 2." Scott Snyder's American Vampire has always excelled at blending period unease with supernatural dread, and this 2012 Vertigo entry looks to be no exception, with Rafael Albuquerque's painterly cover evoking the smoky tension of a backstage encounter that's anything but ordinary. Roger Cruz brings the interior to life alongside colorist Dave McCaig and letterer Jared K. Fletcher, making this a well-crafted package from top to bottom.