Ascension #10

Volume 10 of Shin'ichi Sakamoto's manga adaptation of Jiro Nitta's novel fills its cover with an arresting close-up of the series' protagonist — sharp blue eyes locked forward, wild dark hair whipping around him, and intricate snowflake crystals drifting across the composition in soft rainbow hues. The contrast between that fierce, determined gaze and the delicate, almost ethereal snowflakes surrounding him gives the image a quiet intensity that's hard to shake. Published by Éditions Delcourt in 2012, this volume is a strong showcase of Sakamoto's detailed linework and the series' ongoing blend of raw human drama and elemental grandeur.