Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man #3

Part three of four in Marvel's 2009 Dark Reign tie-in, this issue puts the dark side of the Spider-Man mantle front and center — literally, as a black-costumed figure takes a solid punch to the face, a deadpan "Ow." floating in the air above the impact. Chris Bachalo's cover pencils and Tim Townsend's inks deliver the moment with sharp, kinetic energy, balancing humor and brutality in a single striking image. Brian Reed's story, titled "Half Man. Half Spider. All Amazing.," promises that same irreverent edge throughout this sinister chapter.