In 1990, painter Jon J Muth published a four-issue comics adaptation of Fritz Lang's classic 1931 film, M. The stunning images — silverpoint with charcoal, plus dark and dense oils — revolutionized the way comics could look, helping to usher in an era of comics that make gestures toward high art. Suspenseful, daring, and formally brilliant, M was a landmark story long out of print — until now. Abrams republishes M this spring, collecting the comics classic into one volume for the first time.

Today on the Comics Page, we're proud to present an excerpt from M, by Jon J Muth, based on the film by Fritz Lang. M is in stores this month from Abrams.