The comic that first introduced me to comic creator Joseph Schmalke was an early Murder Hobo comic, so when a new story arc was announced you know I was excited. This time around, Schmalke is joined by illustrator Ryan G. Browne to give us just the antics you’d expect from a Murder Hobo series.
In the Lands of High Adventure, brave heroes seeking fame and fortune wage glorious battle against the malevolent forces threatening their realm. But this is not their story. No, this is a tale about a different type of hero, the dreaded Murder Hobo. Selfish mercenaries who thrive on anarchy, these agents of chaos foil even the best-laid plans.
Even when I opened the original Murder Hobo all those years ago, it really wasn’t my style of comic. However, Schmalke crafts a humorous and over-the-top comic like no one else. It now doesn’t surprise me after getting to know the creator over the years. It’s dirty, funny, and takes place in an uncommon setting. It’s the blend of these things that made me fall in love with this world.
I am pretty certain I have never read a comic, let along any story, where our main cast of characters have to deal with a bad case of pink eye while having to attempt to run their shady business. This alone made me need to know what is happening along the way. We have Murder Hobos for Hire, a case of conjunctivitis, and a ton of dirty jokes.
This first issue of the new story arc sets the foundation for what you can expect in issues moving forward while also introducing us to the villain at hand. It’s a dark, humorous and unique story that will make you laugh while also turn your stomach a bit at the same time.
Browne joins the team to give us the Murder Hobo vibe we have come to expect, but a bit more polished. It has an animation style of moment in static images that give each panel a bit of life and movement. He captures pink eye on our cast of characters in a way that will gross you out but make you laugh, making me eagerly await more issues.
Murder Hobo delivered exactly what I had hoped for, a chaotic, humorous, and offbeat story by Joseph Schmalke and artist Ryan G. Browne. It’s a grimy, laugh-out-loud adventure that leans hard into the absurd while setting up the new series. It’s a blend of Schmalke’s signature dark humor and Browne’s expressive artwork, making for a grand return to the bold and bizarre!
Murder Hobo #1 hits local comic shops on April 22, 2026 from Midnight Factory Press.
Murder Hobo #1 Covers
