Outlanders #9

Johji Manabe's cover art for this ninth volume in Dark Horse's English-language run of Outlanders puts a fierce, wide-eyed warrior front and center — clad in leather armor and chains, she strains with both hands against what appears to be the massive, armored hide of an enormous creature looming at the right edge of the frame. The tension and raw energy of Manabe's manga linework shine through in every detail, from her windswept blonde hair to her shouting expression. With a generous 40 ad-free pages, this 1989 Dark Horse release offers a substantial dive into Manabe's science-fantasy world.