Cerebus #22

From Aardvark-Vanaheim's November 1980 lineup comes this striking issue of Cerebus, whose cover — by Dave Sim — frames the story's stakes with arresting visual wit: a prone purple-clad figure lies sprawled on the ground while a giant, upside-down Cerebus looms overhead, glowering down with characteristic menace. The bold cover text, "The Death of Elrod," leaves little doubt that something consequential is in the air for the albino swordsman. Sim's clean linework and moody teal-and-purple palette make this one of the more visually memorable covers of the series' early run.