Berserk (2003)

Berserk in Dark Horse's English edition; the cover shown is the original Japanese first volume. Kentaro Miura's dark fantasy is the manga to read for crosshatching. As the series went on, his armor, cathedral stonework, demon hordes and stormy seas were built from layer after layer of fine pen lines, and the large spreads of the later volumes are some of the most labor-intensive drawing in comics. The early chapters are rougher, so the jump in craft is part of the fun. Be warned that it is extremely violent and includes sexual violence. Since Miura's death in 2021, his former assistants at Studio Gaga have continued it under the supervision of his friend Kouji Mori. Dark Horse's deluxe hardcovers print three volumes at a time, larger.