Fables #97

From Vertigo's mature-readers series comes this striking October 2010 issue, with a cover by Joao Ruas that frames a red-haired young woman crouched low, a pistol resting near her hand, a rose embroidered on her shirt, and a glowing mandala-like halo radiating behind her head — equal parts saint and survivor. The image carries a quiet, unsettling tension that fits perfectly with the "Rose Red" storyline running through this chapter. With Willingham, Buckingham, Leialoha, and Green bringing the interior to life, Fables #97 is a compelling stop in one of Vertigo's most ambitious ongoing series.