Avengers Arena #1

Launching Marvel NOW! in 2013, Avengers Arena #1 drops readers into the chilling premise of "Murder World" with a cover by Dave Johnson that assembles a large group of young heroes — some costumed, some in school uniforms — staring out with unease while a skull-faced figure looms ominously at the back. The stark black-and-white palette punctuated by slashing red X's gives the whole image a tense, foreboding weight that perfectly sets the series' tone. Writer Dennis Hopeless and artist Kev Walker clearly have something unsettling in store for this cast, and this first issue is a compelling place to find out what.