RED ROOTS #1

by Lorenzo De Felici

The lives of a professional killer and a high school teacher are bound by a terrifying, mysterious force.

Genres: Comics, Horror, Graphic Novels

Kindle Edition

First published April 22, 2026

Reviews

[Scott Rhee]

This first issue of "Red Roots" by Lorenzo De Felici is so weird and incomprehensible that it is as infuriating as it is utterly fascinating. Readers will fall into two camps: 1) those, like me, who absolutely love the weirdness and want to read more, and 2) those who get through the 48-page comic book and think, "Nope!"

I'd try to explain what happens, but I'm not even entirely sure. There's some bad-ass assassin killing baddies in some kind of warehouse, alternating between a story of a high school teacher who keeps finding decapitated---but conversant---human heads hiding throughout her house. Throw in melting bodies and a D&D orc with a giant ax, and you have... major confusion.



What the hell is going on? Where is De Felici going with this story? I sincerely have no clue, but it is intriguing me enough that I am looking forward to the next issue.

[Benjamin Bailey]

great first issue

Can’t wait to see where this goes. Gorgeous art and brilliant pacing. Highly recommend this one, folks. Comics are the best.

[The Void Reader]

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.

Happy reading from the Void 💀🔫📚

[Lizzy DeMarco]

Interesting intro

[Neil Pearson]

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.

Will I read previous issues N.A.

[Jake Lajza]

The severed heads are cool but the cats are my favorite part

[Misse Jones]

two. Two. TWO.

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!

[tan]

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Image Comics for approving me to read this arc.

I requested this book after seeing the interesting synopsis. I must say that the actual content is as interesting as the synopsis claims. The first half of the book runs two parallel stories of two people and the second half shows how these two are going to be interconnected in each other's lives. What's even more fascinating is by the end of Volume 1 , you do end up having more questions than you initially started with. The suspense is very much existent in how the story flows. I will be very excited to tune in for the next part.

Spoiler ahead :

The theme of the land of a primitive species getting invaded by an unknown entity and endless war about it ,yet the primitive species being considered as the evil ones by the "invaders', well I hope I am reading into the lines correctly but the author surely portrays a real-world scenario. Still don't know what to feel about the undertones here, since the story just started but my review will likely evolve with how the story is shaped further in this aspect.

[AviChaim Snyder]

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

[Sayd]

A high school teacher and a professional killer get thrown together in an unlikely duo fashion. The POV swaps between the two, contrasting how vastly different their lives are. When their threads come together, you realize how strange the story is going to be in all the best ways. The world is mysterious and I want more.

I really had no idea what I was getting into when I started this. I went for the cats, and I stayed for the weird story. The cat art is great and none were harmed. I absolutely loved the art style. Movement and action seem very dynamic. There is a lot left unanswered, but it feels intentional, and I am so curious.

🎨 5
📝 5
Rating : 5

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this graphic novel in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Ally]

I had a bit of trouble getting into the story at first, but it soon became much clearer and easier to follow. It quickly developed into something completely different from what I had expected and turned into more of a fantasy story than horror. Fantasy isn’t really my genre, but I still enjoyed it.

Beautifully drawn, with great characters who are easy to tell apart. It’s a shame I now have to wait before I can read the next book in the series.

[Ink and Evidence]

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

4/5

My first time dipping my toes into Comic book's and oh my am I HOOKED!

The art was pleasant and jumping between scene felt unique, going from horror to normality and back again.

There are multiple stories in this novel and I enjoyed the pacing of each on. The mystery and intrigue kept me moving through the story, craving the answers.

The ending has left me looking for the next volume to pick up already!

[Fines Massey]

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.

[Frédérick Boulay]

Absolutely love this! It's weird, intriguing, beautiful drawings, great character work. The switch between the two POV, without being able to explain it, is really swift, smooth, and make sense. It's cohesive in its weirdness and absurdity.
Only with this first issue, I already know I'll love this.

[Garth]

2026 - 365 Days of Whatever Is On My Comic Book TBR
Day 123

Very good start to a WTF story. I don’t know what kind of story is really going to spin out of this but I will be there for the next issue.

[Aaron Kapner]

Fiercely original

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!

[Trevor ComicFan]

89

Reminds me a lot of there is something is killing the children, where the writing is great, but art is mediocre. The fact he is doing both gives him high props though. The story was intriguing enough to make me want to check out issues two.

[Jillian]

Well, I'm hooked! I read the preview for this comic and was immediately interested, and issue one did not disappoint. Two seemingly random characters have very different but equally wild things going on before the story derails even further.

Art: 4.5/5 Plot: 5/5 Writing: 4.5/5 My Enjoyment: 5/5

[haiasIQ]

tête-à-tête - a private conversation between two persons (Merriam-Webster)

[Alican Kunta]

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.

[Dean]

Im intrigued by this book.
Two storylines that may ar some point converge.
Art and colours are pretty good too.
Dont think ill buy the trade.

[alejandro galvez]

Good.

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.

[Andrew Svec]

Hard to tell where this is going yet but great art as usual from Lorenzo.

[Tshepi]

Peak

[Angel L]

Quick read. Entertaining. I really enjoyed it its very cool and I would for sure like to continue the series

[Patrick]

Interesting start to the series. Have lots of questions that I hope will be addressed in future issues.