Maskerade #5

The fifth issue of Dark Horse's Maskerade arrives with a cover that perfectly captures the series' playful, irreverent energy — a gold-and-black costumed hero strikes a confident pose, smartphone in hand (sporting a "Hang in There" cat case, no less), surrounded by a sea of masked, piled-up bodies rendered in moody purple tones. It's a wonderfully offbeat image that balances superhero spectacle with genuine wit, reflecting the creative team of Kevin Smith, Andy McElfresh, John Sprengelmeyer, Giulia Gualazzi, Giulia Brusco, and Andrew Thomas firing on all cylinders. At $3.99, this 2023 series continues to feel like one of the more distinctive masked-hero offerings on the shelf.