Actor-writer duo Hannah Rose May and Utkarsh Ambudkar, along with illustrator Guillermo Sanna and colorist Dearbhla Kelly, come at us with a unique action comic, The Guy in the Chair, blending spy-thriller with romance and comedy to craft a fantastic new series.
In the blood-soaked world of assassins and spies, love has no place. Unfortunately for Abhi, a tactical analyst at a private military company, love is all he can think about. Against his employer’s strict policy, he’s fallen head over heels for Merlin, the field operative whose missions he supports as her “Guy in the Chair.”
When Merlin shows up at his apartment bloody, beaten, and pleading for help, Abhi is yanked from behind the safety of his computer screens, and now the two must prevent their former employer and a cabal of corporate overlords from a hostile global takeover that threatens all of humanity.
The acting duo, who starred together in the second season of CBS’ hit comedy series Ghosts, team up to craft a truly spectacular new comic series that is as much as a spy-thriller as it is a romantic comedy. Hannah Rose May and Utkarsh Ambudkar use each other’s talents for storytelling and created one of my new favorite series of this year.
The Guy in the Chair flips the script by putting a background character, the typical person you would consider supplemental in most action stories, and moves them front and center. Abhi is our protagonist and is the central part of this spy-thriller. Watching someone who’s usually behind the scenes forced out of their comfort zone and into real danger add so much to this story.
Here for the action, stayed for the romantic comedy is how felt with this premiere issue. Most of us have been in a similar, albeit slightly less dangerous, spot we see Abhi in. Fawning over a person that may or may not know you exist, or if they do not to the extent you had hoped for. It’s not cruel, just a case of someone being too wrapped up in their own world to notice you. Add in the fact that any real connection between Abhi and the other lead is technically off-limits. This allowed me to connect with Abhi on a personal level.
Guillermo Sanna’s linework works perfectly for this story. Full of expressive facial detail and dynamic action, blending Abhi’s grounded, tech-filled world with the action of Merlin in the field. The colors from Dearbhla Kelly are vibrant with great contrast. Strong use of lighting and deliberate color choices to set mood, at moments dark and tension-filled and other times more emotional and intimate. A great combination between Sanna and Kelly.
The Guy in the Chair is a unique new comic written by two passionate storytellers, Hannah Rose May and Utkarsh Ambudkar. With its fresh premise, seamless blend of spy-thriller and romantic comedy, and outstanding artwork by Guillermo Sanna and Dearbhla Kelly, this premiere issue sets the foundation for what is likely to be one of my favorite comics of the year.
The Guy in the Chair #1 hits local comic shops on October 8, 2025 from Dark Horse.
The Guy in the Chair #1 Cover
