Krampus #2

Image's Krampus! series leans hard into its monstrous mythology with this second issue, the cover showing the horned, green-furred beast himself pinned down with a massive blade pressed against his snarling, fang-filled face — a close-up composition that makes the threat feel immediate and visceral. The moody blue palette and urban backdrop give the scene a gritty noir edge that suits a creature of holiday dread transplanted into the modern world. From the creative team of Joines, Kotz, Riley, and Pritchett, this 2014 Image release makes a compelling case that December's darkest folklore deserves its own comic shelf space.