Red Roots #1 — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A razor‑sharp debut that hits with style, tension, and a creeping sense of dread.
Lorenzo De Felici wastes zero time pulling you into this world. From page one, the book feels alive—dangerous, intimate, and humming with something just out of sight. Your reaction nails it: this is a bravo of a first issue. The writing is tight, the pacing confident, and the artwork? Absolutely excellent. De Felici’s linework and color choices give the story a pulse, shifting effortlessly between grounded character drama and unsettling, almost cosmic unease.
The dual‑protagonist setup—a professional killer and a high school teacher—shouldn’t work this smoothly, but De Felici threads their lives together with a mysterious force that feels both terrifying and inevitable. You can sense the collision course forming, and that tension is what makes this opener so addictive.
This is one of those #1s that feels like it knows exactly what it’s doing. Stylish, eerie, and beautifully crafted. And yes—picking up the next issue is a no‑brainer.
Overview The lives of a professional killer and a high school teacher are bound by a terrifying, mysterious force.
I think I picked this up because of some positive reviews and probably a preview in an Image comic. Then I realised it was from "Void Rivals". Not to knock the art on Void Rivals but the work here really impressed - maybe it's because he suits a more down to earth/horror setting or possibly because he's working from his own script? Whatever the reason, this looks great and the action is really dynamic and violent, while the school/home scenes work equally well. I'm impressed how much of this comic is handled solely by Felici suggesting it's a labour of love and it shows.
The story is hard to pin down and it's part of the appeal. One story thread follows an agent taking down a drugs den "John Wick" style, while the other follows a school teacher frustrated by the way the world works and finding unwelcome guests in her home that causes her to question her sanity. There's no obvious crossover between the two and while I have my suspicions, nothing is confirmed in this first issue. If anything, the end of the issue suggests something even more weird is going on and is definitely in the horror/fantasy genre.
I will definitely be reading the next issue as I'm currently hooked on seeing how the stories connect. Others may find this frustrating though.
I'd recommend this to fans of stories that are tricky to pin down to a particular genre or outcome (think "weapons" ) and those who like well choreographed action. Also anyone who has enjoyed the art on "void rivals" should give this a try as it feels like the artist has stepped up a level for this book.
Overall impression = 4/5 Writing = 4/5 Art = 4/5
Will I read the next issue? Yes, I was really intrigued by the cliffhanger and still curious as to how these stories connect.
Wait for the trade collection? Either is fine. Some may prefer the trade as it may deliver connections more quickly.
Did I need to read previous issues/series? Not applicable as new series.
Whew! That was layers deep and a great read. Ihave a zillion questions but that's just indicative of how invested I've become in the two storylines running parallel to one another here. It's layered in a great way. Almost like light and darkness converging until dark ultimately wins? Kate is a school teacher that's going about her daily routine, dealing with kids and their overzealous disciplinary parents. Hearing the final bell at the end of the day is seemingly enough satisfaction for her. She's a cat mom and leads a pretty uneventful life until she finds a severed head in her closet. After it's reported and investigated by police she returns home only to find tons more heads and believe she's having some sort of psychotic break, like her mom who doesn't even recognize her own daughters voice at this point.
Alongside of that a compound has been infiltrated and a lone agent is responsible for killing 20+ personnel which is all blood, guts, and gore. He's looking for the bossman who he accuses of killing another female agent. When he's finally taking down, to my surprise he turns into red roots! Wild stuff. This is edge of your seat entertainment!
This book was a pleasant surprise, and I will be picking up the next issue. I originally grabbed it just to push my weekly purchases over the price threshold so I could use my debit card, and I am really glad I did. The story follows two different characters, an assassin and a school teacher. The assassin is working through an entire crime organization from the inside, taking them out one by one, while the school teacher keeps discovering severed heads hidden in her parents’ home. At first, the two storylines feel completely unrelated, but apparently they will eventually intersect later in the series. Both threads are engaging and packed with mystery and action. The pacing keeps things moving, and there is enough intrigue to stay invested in both sides of the narrative. The art is solid, though at times it feels a bit too light in tone for the darker subject matter the story is trying to convey. Overall, it is a fun and intriguing start that has definitely grabbed my attention and made me want to continue the run. I would recommend it. Grade: B
This is my first book by Lorenzo De Felici and I have to say I'm probably going to check out more. Interesting concept is barely fleshed out in this oversized issue - not to say that it isn't fast paced enough, just that this feels like just the tip of the iceberg as to the comic's central idea. Looking forward to issue 2.
Color me intrigued! I have no idea what I may have been expecting but this truly original comic has me in a tizzy to figure out what's next! Fantastic writing and art work!
I have been an admirer of Lorenzo de Felici since Oblivion Song and this series was a no brainer for me to start. I'm intrigued and definitely looking forward for more.
Very good and interesting. The art could be a bit better but the story is good. I am very intrigued to see where this mystery goes. I want to know more about this weird world.