Athanasia

by Daniel Kraus, DaNi (illustrator), Brad Simpson (Colorist)

Watchmen  meets Unbreakable in the darkly disturbing supernatural tale, ATHANASIA, where the heroic dead bleed power into the ground … only to be unearthed by a down-on-her-luck young woman to unforeseeable consequences.

Some secrets are best left buried.

Forrest Molson is going nowhere. One year out of high school -- and one year into sobriety -- she's working with her father as assistant groundskeeper at Athanasia Cemetery, the final resting place of fallen members of the Dynamic Guild, Venture City's resident superheroes. At her lowest point, Forrest discovers Athanasia's darkest secret. At night, the cemetery soil bleeds a substance created from the spectacular substances that ooze from rotting superheroes. This ooze becomes Forrest's new drug -- and she's intent on using her unpredictable new powers to be judge, jury, and executioner of Venture City's evil citizens. But as she loses her mind to her new addiction, she inches closer to becoming the most evil of all.  ATHANASIA  is a superhero story seen through the darkest lens.

From New York Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus (The Autumnal, Whalefall, The Shape of Water) and rising star artist Dani!

For fans of the graphic novels Black Hammer (Jeff LeMire/Dean Ormston), Watchmen (Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons), The Crow (James O’Barr +Film), Kingdom Come (Mark Waid/Alex Ross),  The Killing Joke (Alan Moore/Brian Bolland), The Boys (Garth Ennis/Darick Roberson), The Authority (Warren Ellis/Bryan Hitch); the films Darkman, Chronicle, and Unbreakable and the novels Alter Ego (Alex Segura), Secret Identity (Alex Segura),V.E. Schwab’s Villains series (Vicious and Vengeful), and Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series.

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

“Kraus brings the rigor of a scientist and the sensibility of a poet.” – The New York Times

DANIEL KRAUS is a New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV, and film. His novel Angel Down was the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner, a New York Times Top 10 Book of 2025 ,and a national bestseller. His novel Whalefall received a front-cover review in the New York Times Book Review, won the Alex Award, was an L.A. Times Book Prize Finalist, and was a Best Book of 2023 from NPR, the New York Times, Amazon, Chicago Tribune, and more.

With Guillermo del Toro, he co-authored The Shape of Water, based on the same idea the two created for the Oscar-winning film. Also with del Toro, Kraus co-authored Trollhunters, which was adapted into the Emmy-winning Netflix series. He cowrote The Living Dead and Pay the Piper with legendary filmmaker George A. Romero. Kraus’s The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch was named one of Entertainment Weekly‘s Top 10 Books of the Year. Kraus has won the Bram Stoker Award, Scribe Award, two Odyssey Awards (for both Rotters and Scowler), and has appeared multiple times as Library Guild selections, and more.

Kraus’s work has been translated into over 25 languages. He lives with his partner in Chicago. Visit him at danielkraus.com.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Daniel Kraus and illustrated by Dani, the haunting and unsettling Athanasia offers a glimpse at the darker aspects of a world populated by superheroes. Everyone dies, even superheroes. But what happens when a superhero dies? And who tends their graves? Well, if you live in Venture City, you're well familiar with the Dynamic Guild and the graveyard that houses their fallen, Athanasia Cemetery. It's a graveyard that's been looked after by Forrest Molson and her family for generations. But dark secrets lurk within the graves of fallen superheroes, a darkness that may change Forrest's life forever. In a world ruled over by superheroes, what happens to all of those people the heroes don't save? And what can Forrest do to change things? Put simply, Athanasia reads a bit like The Boys meets Watchmen with an extra dose of absolute horror thrown on top—in the very best way possible.

If you're at all familiar with Daniel Kraus's other literary work, you won't be at all surprised to see him write a superhero story that not only hardly features any superheroes at all but devotes its entire existence to critiquing the very idea of superheroes and wholly unraveling our worship of them. In a way, it's the very antithesis of DC and Marvel and all the rest of our modern-day superhero stories. This is a world, much like Watchmen, where the heroes don't seem all that heroic, and it's up to all of those who've fallen between the cracks to pick up the slack. Here, Kraus crafts a narrative that's all at once a deeply intimate examination of the destructive nature of trauma—both internal and societal—and a critique of the very nature of justice and how it can fail those who need it the most. But it's also an immensely effective bit of horror, too. The superpowers here aren't cool; they're wholly disturbing in the most upsetting of ways. And no matter how hard Forrest tries to be the difference she wants to see, that goal always seems painfully far away.

Aided by Dani's evocative and haunting artwork, primarily black and white with eerie splashes of green from time to time (though explaining what those green splashes represent is a surprise worth keeping unspoiled), Athanasia is an experience that sticks with you long after you turn the final page. It's a superhero comic unlike many others; a critique on the very nature of superheroes married with an intimate exploration of the destructive power of trauma.

Reviewed for Geek Vibes Nation's October 2025 Book Round-Up.

Note: A review copy of Athanasia was provided by the publisher and Edwelweiss.

[Rex Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any coincidence that a ‘superhero’ story can also parallel that of a yarn on addictive behaviour? The Molsons are a family responsible for minding the cemetery that houses the superheroes who have passed away. The problem at Athanasia Cemetery Is the soil is contaminated of the remains of said heroes, as their radioactive powers and remains have leached up to the surface as a sort of ‘supergoo.’ For the youngest member of the Molsons, Forrest, who has suffered multiple trials, traumas and horrors, she stumbles upon the ooze one night and is drawn to its power.

ATHANASIA is a very solid story, fascinatingly drawn, with clever use of blacks, whites and inks. The fact that Venture City eschews the ideas and visuals of a Marvel/DC universe in place of a reality similar to, well, a real world helps the graphic novel splendidly. The work done on Forrest in particular, she’s drawn and expressed very well, from the guilt, then rage felt from early traumas to the megalomaniacal visuals later, Kraus, DaNi, Simpson & Campbell’s collaboration gave full respect and great insight to our dangerous main character. Some scenes may not be as horrific as you expect (the most horrific scene does not directly involve Forrest, imo), yet the dread and terror invoked by Forrest’s arrival are clever, scary even, and well done.

Overall, ATHANASIA I feel does not cross a line, nor stray from the message. The methods in telling Forrest’s story does not veer off the overall moral. With drug addiction, there could not be no definitive ending than what was given, imo. ATHANASIA is a well told story, the only superhero story Kraus could write, with DaNi & Simpson adding a great and unique style. Two thumbs up.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

this wasn’t the most enjoyable thing to me personally so i’m bouncing back and forth from a 2 and a 3 star rating. if i end up deciding on 2 stars, please keep in mind this was just based on my own personal preferences

if you like super hero comic book type of stories, this is for you! we’ve got classic super hero things happening, a style reminiscent of that genre, and cute black white and lime green coloring (loved- it was so intentional with the goo and powers coming with it) and a main character that ends up becoming somewhat of an antihero by the time it ends. my only critique of these things? i’m not that into comic books or super hero stories

i do think tho that this is ultimately an addiction story over a super hero story. we don’t see much of the heroes other than hearing the stories about them and really nothing is solved with them by the time it ends. they still don’t help the regular people much other than to defeat our main character when she goes crazy from the cemetery goo that gives her the powers

when she went crazy, she really did a LOT of bad, said a lot of bad things. it is remarkable that her friends, especially elvis, still have kept in touch with her, supported and forgiven her. i mean she outright said some pretty diminishing and nearly homophobic stuff about marcus and elvis

i liked the part of this that was the relationship between them! i truly wasn’t expecting the two of them to get together so when marcus and elvis shared a kiss i was shocked!! but good for them, it didn’t feel forced but instead felt essential to the plot

the pacing could have been better i think? when the guild comes to fight forrest in the end, we see none of that. just like nearly the very next panel is her collapsing with her sword. i would’ve liked to see a bit more action to represent a dramatic fight even if there arent words or descriptions. but i think the focus was mostly on the addiction part and that fight was just the ultimate final big blowout before she’s got to quit the goo. the pacing i can’t even ultimately say is bad because the way the story unfolds puts the focus on the addiction and cleaning up the messy pieces.

we’re still left with some bad feelings regarding all the bad in the world!! forrest was a girl spitting facts as fuck about what abused women go through. i really thought we would get a lil more resolution with that as far as helping these women. goo or not, she was right about some dudes just straight up harming women doing wrong. maybe they need to be scared straight.

but the point is i guess you can’t do it all, and she was ultimately doing too much. deciding who’s good and who’s bad based on her judgement. her judgement wasn’t that wrong to me though, but i get it’s more to focus on. that no one can play god and deal out their own punishment. but at the same time it was pretty clear that the alternative to it was just uncertain. no one knows how to deal with the shit of the world, but everyone could say that she wasn’t doing it right.

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty unique “superhero” story, which is not an easy accomplishment. I picked this up because Dani has become one of my favorite comic artists over the last few years, and her work here is pretty great, and she’s doing some different things here.

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Kraus has been known to take on varying topics, genres, and writing styles over his novels and comics. This time with Athanasia he partners with illustrator Dani and journeys into the world of superhuman, blending superheroes and horror to craft a fantastic new graphic novel at Vault Comics.

Forrest Molson is going nowhere. One year out of high school -- and one year into sobriety -- she's working with her father as assistant groundskeeper at Athanasia Cemetery, the final resting place of fallen members of the Dynamic Guild, Venture City's resident superheroes. At her lowest point, Forrest discovers Athanasia's darkest secret. At night, the cemetery soil bleeds a substance created from the spectacular substances that ooze from rotting superheroes. This ooze becomes Forrest's new drug -- and she's intent on using her unpredictable new powers to be judge, jury, and executioner of Venture City's evil citizens. But as she loses her mind to her new addiction, she inches closer to becoming the most evil of all.

The premise alone was something I fell for: in a cemetery where dead superheroes are buried, the soil bleeds a substance that grants fleeting powers to those desperate enough to consume it. From this grim concept, Kraus builds a dark story dealing with addiction, grief, and the potential corrosiveness of legacy. Building a superhero story not based in the big two is not an easy task, but what Kraus does is turn that in a different direction. Something stranger, more spiritual, and far more disturbing.

Kraus knows his way around a graveyard, having not only written a few horror stories over the years, but one revolving around grave robbing. So to see this superhero story take us from saving lives to based around a graveyard was no surprise and truly fitting for this writer. However, what truly makes Athanasia special isn't just the darkness, but really it's the empathy. Kraus doesn't mock the idea of heroism, he mourns it. Bringing something different to the superhero table.

The story wouldn't be as gritty and equally as intense if not for the artwork by Dani. The chaotic line work adds so much more grit to the story, almost giving the pages texture. This pairing of script and artwork works perfectly together, giving the story a dark edge that is absolutely needed.

Athanasia stands alongside some of the great, dark superhero tales such as Watchmen , Black Hammer , and The Boys as another pillar in the ongoing dissection of the superhero story. This is a tale about happens after the cape is folded and the world moves on. It's a brutal tale, that is also beautiful in its own twisted way. A superhero tale told through a dark lens for sure. Athanasia by Daniel Kraus and Dani is a must-read for those fans looking for a superhuman story outside of the everyday of the big two.

Athanasia hits shops everywhere on October 8, 2025 from Vault Comics.

[Ellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to be honest; I thought I would love this book. Daniel Kraus is an amazing writer, and he’s written a couple of my favorite books. I had high hopes for this one, especially since it would be the first graphic novel I’ve read from him.

Long story short, it was disappointing. I kept expecting a typical “Steinbeck-depressing” ending (which I actually enjoy in some fiction, including Kraus’). However, the ending was actually boring and illogical.

The plot was intense and exciting, but the ending was bland in comparison. And for most of the story, Forrest was in love with Elvis—who declined her in favor of their mutual friend. In the denouement, they all remained friends. In all reality, a young woman like Forrest who was obviously hurt by their relationship (and whose thoughts and urges were completely out of control when she found out about it) would have been too upset to continue having anything to do with them. Even someone who wasn’t using a “drug” or experiencing an extreme reaction to a dangerous substance wouldn’t want anything to do with these friends, especially if they’re trying to steer her away from her new addiction.

Also, since the actual “superheroes” came to take Forrest down and stop her from continuing her self-proclaimed mission, she would have died. If a powerful, experienced “hero” like the Crimson Warrior died from the same instance, why wouldn’t she? In this sense, that’s another illogical conclusion.

I still love the other books in my collection from Daniel Kraus, but I wouldn’t recommend Athanasia. It was promising at first, but the ending was awful.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good idea--the bio-remnants of superheroes in a graveyard have formed a green ooze that gives a depressive young woman a range of powers with which to fight "evil"--but I'm not sure the presentation really lives up to its potential. This is a very similar story to Kraus' Rotters, one of my favorites, with the girl and her father and grandfather living next to and caring for the graveyard. They've been given lifetime access by the Dynamic Guild (this world's JLA or Avengers), but are barely eking by in a house that's falling apart, etc. It really is kind of a dead-end life and Forrest, the daughter, has already had a stint with being addicted to Adderall, so she's especially susceptible to becoming addicted to the green goo. The Dynamic Guild doesn't seem to be there to deal withe everyday, street-level crime, so Forrest takes it upon herself to become the defender of the poor and downtrodden. But might she go too far? The art takes some getting used to, but is pretty effective. It's weird, but I think if Kraus had really steered more into the depressive, downbeat aspects of this story, it might have been better.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise with good points about everyday people getting overlooked when it comes to justice. The artwork sometimes made it unclear what was going on (I did like it being in black-in-white with green being the only color as a major plot point) and it was uncertain how much time would pass when one section ended and another began, but on the whole I thought it was a unique take on living in a world with superheroes and what would happen if an "ordinary" person suddenly gained those powers.

[Niche · Rating 1 out of 5]

A young woman works as a groundskeeper at a superhero graveyard. She resents the work and superheroes, is mourning the loss of her little sister, and is generally a bundle of teen angst and dissatisfaction. She discovers that at night the graves sweat goo that temporarily imbues the user with the interred superhero's power and becomes an increasingly unhinged vigilante. Set in a world where superheroes are corporate.

I've never been a fan of teen weltschmerz or its associated drama. It feels like a mix of Plutonia with a mix of Identity Crisis and The Boys, but without the novelty.

[Bford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art and style here is incredible - but with Kraus, I just wish the major plot turn for Forrest were more gradual and handled a little differently. It felt too abrupt for such a major story element.
I'd say overall too this whole story felt too short, I could have used 3-4 more books - give more time to each major event here so it has room to hit you.
Athanasia is a pretty good read otherwise.

[Estibaliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting twist of the superheroes and superpowers tropes, with a certain horror element added to the mix.

I just couldn't really force myself to like Forrest, our main character and 'heroine', enough for this to be a superb read, but there was enough interesting elements in this graphic novel to make it enjoyable and original enough.

If only the last part hadn't felt so rushed, and that ending slightly unsatisfactory...

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a cool idea but man did this drag. It should have been half of its 256 pages. The story is about this family that maintains the cemetery where all of the superheroes are buried. Over time their corpses have created this supergoo that gives the teenage member of this family powers. She'd downtrodden and mostly friendless. She goes down the path of the dark side as she gets addicted to the supergoo. But good lord did this drag along the way. Just way too long.

[AlienRosey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m literally obsessed with anything Daniel Kraus writes and his writing here in this graphic novel is such a treat. Mix that with incredible illustrations by Dani and I’m enthralled. Library came in clutch getting this for me to borrow. Need to get me a physical copy of this for my collection ASAP!!!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the story and the art style. This had a lot of heavy stuff in it though - grief, addiction, sexual abuse/assault, and family issues. The story itself about the super hero goo was really original in my opinion so it was an interesting read, just a little heavier than I expected.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic! I've never read something with this kind of premise, and I absolutely loved it. I really hope that this team does more. I would read anything that they put out after reading this.

[Xroldx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bleak and compelling tale of addiction and grief in a world of superheroes.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. I might have superhero fatigue but stuff like this every once in a while reminds me it’s still good

[Amethyst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book! I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

[Reggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy and well illustrated!

[Donne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an excellent idea and I was really excited for it. The lack of character development and continuity in the book was disappointing. I was really expecting a lot more from the concept.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darker than I enjoy, but all the darkness and gore was undercut by the ending.

[Jesse Plumb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel Kraus is better known for his novel Whalefall, which is getting a film adaptation this year. I haven't read Whalefall, or any other of Daniel Kraus's works, as of the time of writing this review, but his work here as a comic writer is very good.

Stories attempting using superheroes in a realistic setting where the consequences of having superpowers as a metaphor examining the faults of modern society are a dime a dozen. Everyone comes for Watchmen's crown sooner or later. More successful attempts at this type of story are things like The Incredibles, or The Boys. It's all in the execution whether the deconstruction lands or not. It's a good thing then that Kraus and DaNi stick the landing, more or less.

Forrest Molson is a recent high school graduate with little prospect. She's unhappily staring down taking over the family business from her father, who's health is rapidly declining. That business being managing the cemetery grounds for Venture City's resident superhero organization, the Dynamic Guild. While wandering the grounds at night, Forrest notices that the graves of all the superheroes have a strange, glowing green ooze leaching out of the soil. It turns out that the remains of a superhero are not inert after death and the chemicals they release while decaying grant anyone who ingests them the powers of that dead hero temporarily. Forrest uses this macabre resource in an attempt to find meaning in her life by becoming a vigilante herself. The unstable and addictive nature of the substance beings to wear at Forrest in more ways than one.

The obvious metaphor for addiction aside, Kraus uses his novel high concept to good effect. Using Forrest as a stand in to also talk about economic inequalities, the exploitation of the poor and the young, unequal law enforcement, and the tensions between honoring a family legacy versus attempting to find something for yourself. It's well-trodden ground, but the comic is more than up to the challenge of telling its story using those familiar beats. The art by DaNi is also striking, the whole comic is in black and white with the exception of the vivid green ichor that seeping up from the graves of dead superheroes.