Cruel Universe #8

Oni Press's EC Comics revival continues with Cruel Universe Vol. II, No. 8 — promising "Bizarre Tales of Time and Space" and delivering a cover that twists the wholesome into the unsettling. Miguel Mercado's painted cover presents what looks, at first glance, like a cheerful mid-century family scene — a man, a woman, two children, and a fluffy white dog gathered together on a sunny lawn — until you notice that their limbs are robotic chrome assemblages, all mechanical joints and polished metal beneath their ordinary clothes. Writer Melissa Flores and all-around artist Kano bring the story "Blackout" to life inside, and if the cover's uncanny warmth is any indication, this issue earns its title in the best possible way.