Oni Press; $4.99

Cruel Kingdom begins with a story about a village that has sworn off violence but finds a loophole, and the second tale features a “helpful” stranger who comes to remote village. The third follows a bitter old man sworn to protect a vulnerable young woman, and the issue wraps up with a story about a realm that needs a new ruler.

The latest EC title from Oni Press travels to fairy tale-like lands with magic and knights, swords and monsters. The cruel aspect comes in the human monsters who are hypocrites, predatory, driven to madness, or fueled by hubris. It drives them to darkness that only the reader can see coming.

-Amanda Sheriff