Mage, Book Three: The Hero Denied #7

The intense, close-cropped face of Kevin Matchlock dominates this striking cover, his skin cast in deep violet hues and his eyes blazing an unnerving, luminous yellow — all framed by a lush, dreamlike tangle of pink and teal roses that give the image an almost surreal beauty. It's a wonderful tension between the floral softness surrounding him and that unsettling, fierce gaze staring straight back at the reader. Matt Wagner's work on Mage: The Hero Denied has been a compelling return to this long-running saga, and issue #7 looks every bit as visually arresting as the series deserves.