Usagi Yojimbo #36

Stan Sakai's cover for issue #36 throws us right into the heat of a tense indoor confrontation: the rabbit ronin Usagi squares off blade-to-blade against a wild-maned, skull-robed feline opponent, while a third figure lies sprawled on the floor and an imposing armored samurai looms in the background doorway. It's a wonderfully kinetic snapshot that fits perfectly with "The Mystery of the Demon Mask, Chapter 3," suggesting the intrigue is building toward a dangerous peak. Sakai's expressive anthropomorphic style — every character bristling with personality even mid-duel — makes this 2000 Dark Horse Maverick issue as visually engaging as ever.