Frankenstein #5

Marvel's The Monster of Frankenstein #5 (September 1973) promises gothic thrills with its cover tagline "The Monster Walks Among Us!" — and Mike Ploog's cover art delivers on that promise with raw, moody energy. The Monster himself lunges forward through churning, murky waters, his massive frame draped in purple and brown, one yellowed hand gripping a terrified dark-haired woman in red who strains against her bonds. A small inset vignette in the upper corner shows a solitary cloaked figure silhouetted against a full moon, adding an extra layer of dread to this brooding 20-cent gem from Marvel's early-'70s horror revival.