Amala's Blade #4

The four-issue Dark Horse miniseries reaches its finale with a cover that puts Amala front and center — sword raised high, steampunk pistol in her other hand, golden-feathered armor catching the eye as she stands before a massive crowd and a line of looming tanks. Behind her, banners bearing a gear-and-symbol insignia unfurl while ghostly figures drift overhead, signaling that the stakes have never been higher for this scrappy young assassin. Michael Díalynas handles art, inks, and colors throughout, and his richly textured work gives this 2013 closer an energy that makes you want to start the series from the beginning.