Barbie #44

Against a sweeping African savanna sunset painted in rich oranges and golds, Barbie stands poised in a stunning animal-print gown, her flowing blonde hair catching the warm light as a black panther, a lion, a gazelle, and a zebra gather peacefully around her. It's a genuinely striking image — cover pencils by Amanda Conner and inks by Jeff Albrecht give the scene an elegant, almost painterly quality that feels a cut above typical licensed comics of 1994. With "African Adventure Part 1: City Living" kicking things off, this issue from writer Lisa Trusiani, Angelo DeCesare, and artist Barb Rausch promises a story as vibrant as its gorgeous cover.