Karl #12

The twelfth volume of the beloved German series brings Karl face to face with "Das Erbe" — The Inheritance — and the cover sets a wonderfully atmospheric tone: a young boy and his dog sit together on a rocky outcrop before a looming castle, gazing up at the luminous, ghostly figure of an armored knight that hovers against a deep twilight sky, a small bat silhouetted nearby. Cover art by Michael Apitz and Bernhard Speh captures a sense of mystery and quiet wonder that has made this series from ak-verlag a treat for younger readers since its early issues. Published in 2004, this is the kind of adventure that lingers — steeped in history, heritage, and just the right touch of the supernatural.