Royal City #13

Jeff Lemire's Royal City concludes its run with a cover that quietly commands your attention: a young figure floats face-up beneath a water's surface, dark hair fanning out around them, while three small figures stand reflected in the water below — their world inverted, looking up at what lies beneath. The watercolor-and-ink artwork, entirely Lemire's own hand, carries the melancholy warmth that has defined this series, with muted golds and blues evoking both memory and loss. A fitting final image for one of 2018's most emotionally honest small-town dramas.