Those Not Afraid

by Kyle Starks, Patrick Piazzalunga (illustrator)

A new crime comics series from three-time Eisner nominee Kyle Starks (Peacemaker Tries Hard, Where Monsters Lie) for fans of true crime and murder fiction.


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. Learn more about our awful killers Mark Christopher Ewing and Daniel Dodson and their grotesque activities as we enter a frightening game of cat-and-mouse between killers and police. A great graphic novel for fans of true crime and murder fiction.

Featuring incredibly stylish noir art from Patrick Piazzalunga (Monsters Are My Business) and incredible covers from the legend Glenn Fabry (Preacher, Hellblazer).

Collects Those Not Afraid #1–#4.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Thriller

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to preface this review by saying I really dislike the current trend of serial killer idolization- I know people have been crazy since serial killing began- writing letters to Manson and stuff like that, but today it feels like a normal interest is murder, rape and torture. Spotify is like oh you like Sabrina Carpenter, you’d probably also like this podcast that discusses a serial rapist! Why is this a thing? I understand the interest but that idea of having leisure time be spent learning about killing is so messed up- read comics like the normal people!

That being said, this comic was a fun read. The twisted idea that this totally could happen is almost humorous if it wasn’t so frighteningly true!

There’s a great Billy Woods line, “Apes stood and walked into the future, March of Progress end hunchbacked in front the computer.
Sooner or later it's gon' be two unrelated active shooters. Same place, same time” someone smarter than me can probably explain how our modern culture (or lack thereof) is a breeding ground for that want to be in control- I don’t know, I’m rambling. This one fucked me up.

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great, fun as fuck, brutal horror comic. I really loved this one. The core premise—two competing serial killers, Mark Christopher Ewing (The Ladykiller) and Daniel Dodson (The Home Intruder), enter a 'murder race' to break the state's kill record is brilliant.

The characters were all great, from the serial killers themselves to the two main lead women, especially Cece Galloway, the true crime podcaster whose show inadvertently inspires the competition. I loved how brutal this could get, but somehow the nature of it was always upbeat. I also think the pacing is crazy good, never boring, and I can't wait for a second volume. For pure entertainment this is a easy 4.5 out of 5.

[Andrew Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the top premise but great characters that keep you invested. Cliffhanger ending, though, with no mention of a continuation or sequel series. Kind of a bummer!

[Elizabeth M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Easy to devour, which I did! Two twisted serial killers fight for the state record of most confirmed kills... what more could you ask for? Loved the gritty illustration and the fast paced story. Be warned that we're left on a cliffhanger!

[Kyle Brayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a fun demented twist on horror fiction about serial killers competing against each other and a podcaster that gets caught in the middle.

[Alex Sarll]

Two serial killers cross paths and, having realised they're both within sight of the state record, go into competition – as well as finding their lives getting entangled in other ways. Not a premise that would have attracted me in itself, because I find the whole serial killer obsession somewhere between icky and underwhelming, but it's written by Kyle Starks, purveyor of knockabout ultraviolence from Sexcastle to Peacemaker Tries Hard!, so I assumed it would be a ghoulish romp. Except, perhaps reacting to the success of I Hate This Place, his most popular and until now least fun comic, this is even more devoid of humour, bar the odd mean laugh that feels closer to Mark Millar territory (so one of the murderers much prefers when the press call him the Ladykiller than the Headless Whores Man). Maybe with more space to breathe, it could have built to something, but in four issues it feels overstuffed with often unexplained incident, and lacking in life. Nor are the collaborators of the calibre I usually associate with Starks; the art is clearly going for stylised, and sometimes attains it, but is more often simply rough, and often swamped by the colouring. Even the lettering could be better. A miss, I'm afraid.

(Edelweiss ARC)

[Sem · Rating 2 out of 5]

None of Starks's trademark wit and a nonsensical fourth issue make this a pretty underwhelming read. It tries to pack too much into four issues and the audacious sequel hook doesn't work at all, if only because it's hard to care about any of the protagonists.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good but it's not a very satisfying read considering its ending. What can I say? I see Kyle Starks, I read. This doesn't have that comedic flair I've come to expect from his other more comedic works. But Where The Monsters Lie was less comedic and more serious and still worked well for me. This is even more serious with little comedic levity. The character dynamics shine with both serial killers coming off as two sides of the same coin. The story is tight and gripping and makes you want to read more of these two killers. I also associate Kyle Starks with bloodshed which is served here for sure. The killer's actions get plenty of screen time and are depicted in ways that fit the tone well.
What really sinks all this from a four star is its rushed ending to fit the four issue miniseries count it was given and it ends on a sequel hook that doesn't give much satisfaction in this book. And miniseries continuation doesn't seem to be advertised yet so who even knows if it will be finished? I know Dark Horse has done this previously with Survival Street and Where the Monsters Lie but each miniseries trade had a satisfying one and done ending in case the sequel didn't come. It's a tactic I'm not super fond of but understand what with the market but it's done terribly here.
The art is fine. It complements the bloody tone well and the strong use of stark shadows does well at reminding and playing into these being unfeeling killers with their faces constantly halved or engulfed in pure black shadows.

[Hanna McGehee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up✨

A story of two serial killers battling to break a previous kill count record and a true crime podcaster stuck in the middle is an intriguing plot, and it’s delivered relatively well in this series. There are a lot of moments and occurrences that test your suspicion of disbelief, but it’s a comic book, so that’s to be expected. I wasn’t crazy about the end of issue 3 or the beginning of 4, but I think the end tied it up nicely and made it worth it. Plus, the art is phenomenal! The story itself could absolutely have been done better but its good parts combined with the quality inking and characterizations of David and Mark’s wife make this a solid 4.5-star collection in my opinion.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book sold as "two serial killers battling for the state record for most kills," Those Not Afraid is surprisingly twisty. It's not just gruesome murders. The plot takes turns you might not expect (for example, both the killers appear to have been caught by the third issue) and inserts some non-killer characters to soften the story's tone.

Definitely working in the book's favor: the artwork, which mixes Nick Dragotta with Paul Dini and adds extensively the noir feel. The ending is wide open for a sequel, which I'd pick up, though it feels like this was the perfect amount of such an out-there story.

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the art and colouring.
The story was not so good. I've read the first three, and I won't finish it.

There's a major plot convenience in issue 1 or 2 where one killer just happens to be trying to abduct someone across the road from the other killer doing a kill. That could have been done any number of other ways. The sting scene wasn't set up in anyway. How did the police know where he was going to be if for 40 odd murders it's been 'completely random'.

I dont care for the cliffhanger with the huge muscular guy.

What I did enjoy was the wife being super sensible.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was all right, I guess, though it moved too quickly and could really use another issue or two to sort things out (maybe there's a sequel on the way?). The story of two serial killers competing to break the "all time murder record," is pretty well done and does take some surprising twists along the way. But when a third killer shows up, things just start to get a bit muddled. The art is good throughout.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have rated higher had the last issue not felt so rushed and unfocussed. Feels like Starks could not decide between a mini series telling a complete story or an ongoing.

The concept is terrific and it started off well, with some good dark humour, however due to the 4th issue it feels really unsatisfying as a whole.
Pity.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyle Starks stories always have great twisted, humor and fascinating characters. This book is no exception. It also ramps up the horror and violence and Piazzalunga's art is fantastic. It really helps deliver on both the funny and chilling moments. So, this is a great time if you're a fan of Stark's previous works like me.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two serial killers make a bet to beat the state record for serial killing! That's a fun premise. The characters are so wonderfully violent, it's almost weird how you sort of... root for their friendly competition? But then you see the murders and blood and remember yeah no they're awful people. It gets actually creepy at parts, and can toe the line between funny and a bit scary.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a plot that seems like it will burn out fast.

Let's see how long they can keep it up.

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't get serial killer fanatics.

There is some decent writing in this. I enjoy this writers style but this was not one of my faves.

3.2✨

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best NonComedic book Kyle Starks has done. Solid tension and characters.

[Chr*s Browning]

You've got to admire Kyle Starks's dedication to mindless serial killer pap. You don't have to like it, but I guess you have to admire it. Smelled that ending a mile away.