Those Not Afraid, penned by three-time Eisner nominee Kyle Starks and illustrated by Patrick Piazzalunga, is a terrifying horror series where a competition between two serial killers takes center stage. As a massive fan of Starks, horror, and true crime…Those Not Afraid became a no-brainer for me.
In Those Not Afraid, two serial killers discover they are within reach of the state record for kills and enter a terrible competition to see who gets there first.
Starks’ writing skills shine brightly in this series, where he continues to prove his ability to blend horror with a touch of dark humor. The premise, which is simple yet enthralling, is one that makes the comic series standout from a crowd, while also finding similarities with some of the best. Each page weaves together an exciting horror tale with elements of suspense and intrigue that kept me hooked. What will happen next, was continuously in my head.
The use of a true crime podcaster as a way to share a bit of backstory as well as provide a foundation for the story to build off is a perfect fit in this story. It brings real life elements together with the more fictional narrative being told. This is a more modern storytelling device that not only adds depth to the plot but also provided me with a relatable entry point to grab onto.
A horror comic is only as good as its illustrator and Starks seems to continue to partner with outstanding artists. Piazzalunga elevates the story to another level entirely. His art captures the brutality and dark humor with striking imagery, offering panels that are creative as they are horrifying. The moments of simplicity alongside moments of visceral murder made for some truly shocking moments. Piazzalunga’s illustrations paired with Marco Brakko’s colors perfectly encapsulating the chaotic nature of a horror comic in a truly beautiful way.
While Those Not Afraid is unique in its own right, I couldn’t help but find style and horror comparisons to one of my favorite comics of all-time, Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson‘s Nailbiter. Both comics delve into psychological terror grounded within realistic settings while exploring themes surrounding obsession; yet still manage distinct voices all their own amidst shared genre territory! As someone who holds Nailbiter to a high standard, I found myself thrilled in another title capable of delivering similar feelings.
Those Not Afraid captures the horror and dark humor I have come to expect from the Kyle Starks, paired with outstanding and gruesome artwork from Patrick Piazzalunga. This series is just what I needed in 2025, this book has a real chance at being one of the best comics of the year.
The collected edition of Those Not Afraid is available at local comic shops and bookstores everywhere from Dark Horse.
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