Be Not Afraid is an unsettling, emotional tale of spiritual folk horror. Jude Ellison S. Doyle‘s haunting story along with Lisandro Estherren unique illustrations and Francesco Segala moody colors make for a miniseries that leaves an impression.
Cora Reims once embraced a vision of pure light—an angelic messenger who left behind a terrible miracle: her son, Jordy. Despite his angelic countenance, it soon becomes apparent that Jordy is a plague upon the Earth, spreading death and cruelty wherever he goes. After years of torment and generational shame for her transgression, Cora receives a divine revelation on the eve of Jordy’s eighteenth birthday: God has finally heard her pleas and Heaven demands the destruction of her devastatingly powerful child.
As plagues descend on the town of Enoch and the townspeople’s faith fractures under fear, Cora must now confront her past, her purpose, and the divine horror she once mistook for grace with the guidance of a mysterious, new stranger.
Be Not Afraid is a truly unsettling exploration of religion, shame, and the despair of feeling unworthy of love–both from God and even your own mother. Doyle crafts a harrowing and deeply haunting spiritual folk horror that I honestly wasn’t prepared for, even being familiar with the writer’s previous work.
The artwork from Estherren perfectly complements the story at hand and Doyle’s dark narrative. The illustrations are as disturbing as the story with an almost poetic quality that shines in each and every panel. The addition of colors by Segala is atmospheric that captures the essence of Be Not Afraid which gives a truly immersive and terrifying experience.
The series truly leaves an unsetting impression on you, but it’s one of those stories that should be revisited over again to allow it to sink in and sit with you for a while. The unique, terrifying, and emotionally resonant story stays with you long after the fine panel. It’s something unlike most in the genre and has me at a loss for words.
Be Not Afraid is the type of comic that lingers in the back of your mind, creeping into your thoughts long after you close the book. Jude Ellison S. Doyle crafts a rare blend of horror and heartache that almost demands more than one reading to peel back the meaning and emotion felt on each and every page. With raw, unsettling artwork by artists Lisandro Estherren and Francesco Segala, this series is a standout in the horror genre making it a must-read.
The collected edition of Be Not Afraid hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on July 7, 2026 from BOOM! Studios.
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