Oni Press; $4.99

Four stories are told in Cruel Universe #3, starting with a tale of artificial intelligence learning from power hungry ambition. Toxic waste and mutiny are a bad combination in the next story, then a man learns that his online and real life personas are intertwined in the next. It wraps with a tale about the ramifications of outsourcing our conscience.

Like the original EC books, Oni Press’ new line relies on topical content, twist endings, and just desserts. The stories by J. Holtham, Zac Thompson, Ben H. Winters, and Cullen Bunn take a twisted approach to some modern day issues, without being too preachy. Each story carries its own weight, which is always nice in an anthology comic.

-Amanda Sheriff