The Goon #5

Eric Powell's The Goon #5 from Dark Horse delivers a cover that's equal parts eerie and entertaining — the Goon and his wide-eyed pal Franky are spotlighted in a bold yellow circle, fists ready, while a ring of hulking blue figures looms ominously in the background alongside a pale, gaunt face and a blood-spattered vulture perched above. Powell does everything here — writing, art, inking, and lettering — with a supporting color team that includes Robin Powell, Shaynne Corbett, Barry Gregory, and Gage Powell bringing the moody blues and vivid yellows to striking life. If you've got a taste for pulpy atmosphere with a healthy dose of rough-and-tumble charm, this 2004 issue wears that combination well.