Drakuun #9

Issue three of six in the "Revenge of Gustav" arc, this 1997 Dark Horse manga release from Johji Manabe puts its armored warrior heroine front and center — crossbow in hand, wild blonde hair flying — as she grapples with a massive, snarling orange beast while a pair of wide-eyed small creatures look on from the background. The cover crackles with kinetic energy, capturing the series' blend of fantasy action and manga charm in a single dynamic image.