American Virgin #3

A striking cover by Joshua Middleton sets the tone for "Wet Chapter One" — a shirtless young man wearing a cross necklace stands knee-deep in rippling blue water, looking upward with an expression caught somewhere between vulnerability and determination. The cool, fluid palette and overhead perspective give the image a quietly disorienting intimacy, perfectly suited to a series that explores faith and identity in unexpected places. With writing by Steven T. Seagle and art from Becky Cloonan and Christine Norrie, this 2008 DC release is a compelling entry in one of the more thoughtfully crafted comics of its era.