War of the Realms #5 — Mark Texeira Variant Cover (2019)

War of the Realms #5 — Mark Texeira Variant Cover (2019) is a striking Marvel Comics variant from the sixth-issue War of the Realms event series.

The cover features a dramatic, painterly fantasy composition dominated by a large, muscular clawed figure emerging from a brilliant golden-yellow burst of light. The character has dark hair, an intense expression and extended claws, while a massive monstrous figure occupies the foreground below, creating the impression of a confrontation between supernatural forces.

The background is filled with warm orange, gold and red tones, with dark mystical symbols arranged around the War of the Realms logo. The lower portion features a hulking purple-and-green creature with horns, armor-like details and a raised fist, while the central clawed character towers above it.

The issue's story is “The World Tree Is Burning,” Chapter Five of the War of the Realms, written by Jason Aaron with interior art by Russell Dauterman and colors by Matthew Wilson. The storyline depicts Malekith's forces transforming Midgard into a battlefield filled with the dead, while Earth's heroes make a desperate stand.

The cover artwork is by Mark Texeira, with Rachelle Rosenberg credited for colors. The Mark Texeira edition is cataloged as a 1:50 variant with UPC 75960609103400551.