Everything is Fine Volume One: A WEBTOON Unscrolled Graphic Novel

Everything Is Fine #1

by Mike Birchall

Perfectly normal couple Sam and Maggie live in a perfectly normal neighborhood, with their perfectly normal dog Winston. All the houses look the same. The people sound and look the same. On the outside, everything is fine. But is it? Winston, their sweet dog, has been dead for some time now, and Sam and Maggie begin to struggle to keep up the facade of their idyllic suburban life.

The mystery continues as the couple, despite being as “fine” as they can be, reckon with heavy surveillance by outside cameras, and question their every decision. While both emotionally repressed and eerily disconnected, Sam and Maggie are one wrong move away from something much more sinister.

Their neighbor, Charlie, catches on to this strange and manipulative force and attempts to escape from the watchful eyes of those in power, starting Sam and Maggie on a path of resistance. But rebels are heavily punished in this society, and deemed “red-status” — swiftly erased from memory. What happens when everything isn’t fine?

This volume collects episodes 1–16 of the WEBTOON comic Everything Is Fine.

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Comics, Dystopia, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Published May 16, 2023

About the author

Mike Birchall is a UK based author and artist, known for creating the horror comic 'Everything is Fine'.

Reviews

[nush ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have no fucking clue what the fuck is going on but im invested. invigorated. intrigued.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I want you to know, Tom. Even through that mask… I saw it on your face. We’re all in the same boat here, but that doesn’t mean you have to enjoy it. Like you do."

Have you ever spotted a cover to a book and knew instantly that you had to read it? You don’t even read the synopsis, the cover grabbed your attention so swiftly that it consumed you. You bypassed everything else, you just needed this book in your hands because of that cover. It just happened to me with this book and I don’t regret a thing.

Going into this book blind was the best thing possible. I didn’t know what was going to come next and I can say that it rocked my world. It was out there bizarre and I loved it. I know they said to forget but I can never forget this read.

Who has to meet the hammer for me to get the second volume?

[— Massiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part I - Finished (April 12th 2022).

5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆

Part II - Finished (March 31st 2023).

5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆

----

y'all know disaster is getting closer. I CAN'T WAIT.

[Rossy Montaño · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un sol radiante, un clima agradable, casa propia, un esposo que te ama, vecinos amistodos, todo está bien, pero también no lo está y ese sentimiento está presente a lo largo de cada paso y así vamos formando una idea de que clase de lugar es este, un mundo distópico perfecto donde hay una tensión por una aparente estricta vigilancia, pero quien lo hace? porqué? Que saben los vecinos? Porque al parecer todo mundo sabe o esconde algo, algo que Sam y Maggie no logran comprender, pero que deben adaptarse a esta nueva realidad.

La graficación de los personajes me parecen cute en principio, pero al no saber lo que expresan sus rostros nos aventuramos a adivinar que está pasando, lo que solo hace acentuar mas esa aura misteriosa y algo creepy en que se encuentran envueltos, pasando de una representar una animación tierna a personajes lóbregos y sombríos desdibujando sus matices, sincronizando muy bien con la ambientación que va a tono.

Es evidente la sensación de desconcierto que producen los acontecimientos puesto que hay desconocimiento de lo que sucede y el suspenso de lo que pueda pasar a continuación y remata con un final que simplemente incita a continuar el siguiente volumen, lo recomiendo si quieren una lectura ligera diferente, con algo de misterio e intriga a la orden.

[Autum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely eerie

[Grapie Deltaco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit ???

Deeply unsettling and had me on the edge of my seat from the moment we meet Sam and Maggie.

In this bizarre dystopian, the town's citizens are heavily monitored by cameras, their own required animal helmets, and each other. Pieces slowly but surely fall into place regarding the circumstances of how these people are being controlled under a strict yet vague regime.

I never know what's going to happen next but I can't bring myself to tear my eyes away from it all.

All is not swell in this totalitarian nightmare but it's unclear just how sinister the town's creation and enforcement goes.

I am losing my mind

CW: murder, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, blood, kidnapped loved ones, depression, extreme totalitarian surveillance state, grief, animal death, paranoia

[Lilja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally do horror but I love this one because everything is fine. :)

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

1984 gets crossed with a childless and paranoid version of the old The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet sitcom where the cast wears Hello Kitty heads to literally mask their inner turmoil and maintain the "everything is fine" facade of their oppressive society.

Weird but sort of compelling.

I think the cliffhanger jumped the gun and frittered away too much of the slow-burn atmosphere for some gratuitous shock, but I'll be back for the next installment to see what the fallout might be.


FOR REFERENCE:

Collects episodes 1-16 of the WEBTOON comic.

Contents:
• Prologue: Everything Is Fine
• Part 1: The New Forever
• Part 2: Swings and Roundabouts
• Part 3: Spaghetti Western
• Part 4: Mise en Place
• Part 5: Friends for Dinner
• Part 6: An Iron Voice
• Part 7: Forget Me Not
• Part 8: Crocodile Teeth
• Part 9: Try It at Home
• Bonus Material

[Shourya Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, can't wait for part two!

[Amna ༊࿐ ͎. ｡˚ ° ⊹ ˚. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything is definitely NOT fine. This was such an eerie and confusing but an interesting read!

[Alec Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

na moral, QUADRINHO DO ANO -aqls emocionado

amei d+++! comecei odiando, achando mt nada a ver. lá pela metade, eu já tava completamente fisgado, DOIDO pra descobrir mais desse universo!!! até baixei o webtoon pra poder continuar lendo!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not sure what to expect with this graphic novel but it was so good. I loved the slight reveals with the feminist rage aspect. I loved that Maggie slowly started doing her own thing so you got that criticism of the traditional female role being stripped away. I kept waiting to see what was going on because I was getting the sense that maybe there was trauma and they were just trying to get passed that but there was so much more. It may look only slightly dark based on the front cover but it is pretty unsettling. I loved it though.

Check out a podcast that I host with my boyfriend where we talk books and book related things:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Xjyht7...

and our Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkbooky/

[cycads and ferns · Rating 3 out of 5]

My name is Maggie, of neighborhood
one-four-seven-d. Before this delicious meal, I feel spontaneously compelled to offer my thanks. I am thankful for my husband’s diligent work that provides for us….and the fulfillment I find in my own household duties. I’m thankful for the government that keeps us healthy, protects us, and feeds us. I’m thankful for the opportunities given to me for advancement….I am the happiest I’ve ever been.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

4✨️
داستان یه محله با آدمایی که ماسک خرس رو سرشونه و دارن تظاهر میکنن که همه چی روبه‌راهه.
خیلی سوالا تو ذهنم هست در حال حاضر که ایشالا ولیوم بعدی یه خرده‌شو جواب بده.

[sana ୨୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

i’m really excited to be getting a webtoon’s arc. i’ve been seeing this one around, and i’ve heard so, so much praise about it. i had only read the first few chapters, but i’d never gotten past that point. this was really good and creepy. however, this was also really confusing for me at times and some parts. so, i’m really curious about the next volume, considering i also haven’t even read this on the webtoon app (which means i don’t know what happens). this was really cool, though.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC !!

[❃A.J❃ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best thriller and horror books ever! I recommend going into this one blindly! You will love the experience! ❤

Even though the title is Everything is Fine you can tell that actually "everything is not fine" from the beginning. At first, the story is confusing, there are tons of unanswered questions but they will be answered soon!
The story is set in a dystopian world. The concept of Cat Heads is really unique and interesting.

This is one of my favorite books of all time and the art is amazing!

[Sara the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

No, no it is not. Everything is not fine. Like if "fine" is New York then this book is in California.

[Zai Zai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything is Fine Volume 1 is an utterly gripping and unsettling dive into psychological horror that left me both haunted and eager for more. This Webtoon series, with its deceptively simple art style and suffocating atmosphere, channels the eerie, dystopian dread of Ira Levin’s classic works like Rosemary’s Baby or The Stepford Wives. The story unfolds in a seemingly perfect suburban world where something is deeply, disturbingly wrong beneath the surface, and the slow unraveling of that facade is nothing short of chilling.The narrative follows Sam and Maggie, a couple navigating their tightly controlled, pastel-colored neighborhood where everyone wears creepy, oversized animal masks—a visual that’s equal parts absurd and terrifying. The masks, combined with the characters’ forced cheerfulness, create a pervasive sense of unease that builds masterfully throughout the volume. Without spoiling, the story’s exploration of conformity, surveillance, and the loss of individuality feels both timeless and uncomfortably relevant, with subtle hints of societal critique woven into the horror.What makes Volume 1 so compelling is its ability to balance quiet, creeping tension with moments of visceral dread. The pacing is deliberate, letting you stew in the characters’ growing paranoia, while the art—clean lines and muted colors—amplifies the uncanny vibe. Every panel feels like it’s hiding a secret, and the dialogue, often laced with double meanings, keeps you second-guessing what’s real. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you, making you question the “normal” around you long after you’ve finished reading.I’m already hooked and can’t wait to dive into Everything is Fine Volume 2 to see where this twisted tale goes next. If you’re a fan of horror that crawls under your skin and stays there, this is an absolute must-read.

[jemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐
Solo voy a decir que nada es lo que parece en este webcómic. Cada capítulo te deja con ganas de más. Hay mucho suspenso e intriga. Que no te engañen esas bonitas ilustraciones porque la historia es todo lo contrario. 🌚

[fer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esse quadrinho é de uma historia do webtoon, entao ele nao tem um final conclusivo. Me deixou curiosa pra ler o que mais acontece com os personagens.

Eu nao necessariamente super me interesso por essas narrativas que bebem mt de 1984 do Orwell, entao nao é uma tematica que super chama a minha atençao. O quadrinho bebe bastante dessa fonte. Me lembrou muito do filme Vivarium, assisti a alguns anos atras e tem alguns elementos parecidos.

[Chaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't stop reading!!!

[kamile 🦇 · Rating 4 out of 5]

amaaaazing art work, the story telling as well! it all felt very eerie, however i’m not sure if this is exactly my cup of tea but i’ll read the second volume to see:)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

At no point did I understand what I was reading. The cat masks are very strange, although totally cute. The creeping sense of menace and dread kept me hooked. I had to read through this two times because I felt I didn't get it after the first read through. After the second read I still don't get it but I really want to know more.

[Robbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend recently introduced me to the “WEBTOON” app and I am obsessed 😩 After scrolling through the selections for some reason this comic specifically caught my eye and I was NOT disappointed.

From the very beginning, the weird cryptic conversations, lack of any real dialogue, and most importantly the face masks do an amazing job of setting a very creepy and suspenseful vibe for the reader. I couldn’t stop reading! I was dying to know what the hell was in Charlie’s basement and why everyone was dying to “forget.”

Each episode left me with more questions than the last, I was on the edge of my seat the entire read. The plot twist with Linda and Bob caught me completely by surprise. I hated them before but afterwards even more. The betrayal felt worse when you realized they were hypocrites too. I was shocked when we got to really witness the dynamic between these two. Linda was a more controlling partner and she seemed to put Bob down a lot. Which is crazy because he was right about so many things.

I’m here for Maggie and Sam 😩🙌🏽 When we finally got to see them actually having a real conversation, I was so happy. You could definitely see that the love is still there.

I can’t wait for volume 2! Does the mayor of Lakeview know what really happened to Tom? Have we seen the last of Bob and Linda? Where are the children?

[becca sott (warner's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"—Yo seré la cabeza, pero tú eres el corazón."

4 🌟 Debo de admitir que desde el primer capítulo, al lector le invade una sensación completamente extraña... ¡Me encanta!

La sinopsis que brinda el webtoon es la siguiente: Sam y Maggie son un matrimonio normal, que viven en un casa normal. Sus cabezas, sus vecinos y su dulce perrito no tienen nada de extraño. Todo está bien.

Si bueno, NADA DE ESTO ESTA BIEN. Este webtoon ha sido de mis primeros del género thriller, ¡y me encanta! Yo la verdad es que no soy tan partidaria de este género, pero esta novela gráfica está muy buena: Tiene tremendos giros de trama, los personajes son muy ingeniosos, y el ambiente siempre se conserva tétrico -lo que mantiene al lector esperando por el siguiente capítulo-.

Por el momento, el autor ha subido 29 capítulos (dándolo como cierre de la primera temporada -que, por cierto, muy buen final-.) ¡pero sí o sí estoy muy interesada en continuar la historia a medida que se siga actualizando!

"Everything is fine" es una novela gráfica muy bien ejecutada, que mantiene al lector en suspenso, ¡una lectura 100% recomendable!

"—Cuando esto termine, olvídalo todo."

[Kalil Zaidan · Rating 4 out of 5]

nossa, uma delícia de ler e com uma história bem intrigante à la distopias de hipervigilância. crueldade o gancho do final, tô doido pela continuação!

[MaguiWorld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. I don't know what I just read, at times it reminded me of the movie Don't Worry Darling.

I heard a lot about this webtoon and I wanted to read it but I ended up very confused and the truth is that I couldn't connect much.

In case I don't like characters that don't have facial expressions. By having those masks, you kind of don't know what expressions they might be making. But that would take away the creepy, right?

I would like to know how it goes because that ending was pretty intense!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was wonderfully creepy. The contrast between the idyllic setting and the subtle reminders that something is off, is done really well. Couple that with the fact that all of the characters wear cat masks, and what could be an outlandish gimmick, becomes eerie and compelling. I'm intrigued to see where this goes.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was epic! Great pacing and the bright colors contrast with the dark story so well. I am really invested in knowing what happened and how this will end!

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those horror stories that hooks you with dystopian intrigue and genuine concern for the main characters.