Demon Knights #9

Paul Cornell's medieval New 52 series takes a dark turn in this 2012 issue, as Michael Choi's cover pulls no punches: a green-skinned, armored demon figure looms over a bloodied, fallen robed figure on a shattered stone floor, with the cover blurb declaring "The Murder of Merlin!" in stark red letters. The image is unsettling in the best way — atmospheric and visceral, with the demon's yellow-eyed glare suggesting cold satisfaction rather than frenzy. With interior art from Diógenes Neves and Robson Rocha, Demon Knights continues to deliver the kind of dark Arthurian adventure that made this New 52 title such a rewarding find.