Karmen #1: The Pit of One’s Fear, and the Summit of their Knowledge

Guillem March wants you to think. He wants you to think about growing up, about life, about death, about relationships, and about the flimsy concept of reality. He accomplishes all of this and more in Karmen #1, a debut issue that draws you in, and subverts your expectations over and over again.

This book feels different than any book I’m reading right now. This isn’t a comic that’s going to spell it all out for you. This book will show you, but it won’t tell you. This book draws you in with little bits and pieces then says, “You know what? Forget all that.” It makes your jaw drop, but then it says “Just kidding… (or am I?)”

Our main character, the titular Karmen, is a sort of Grim Reaper figure with a Willy Wonka charisma. She brings you to the brink of your understanding, and pushes you over. She’ll make you laugh, she’ll make you confused, she’ll make you afraid, and she’ll make you wonder why she keeps talking about farting and masturbating.

March’s horror-manga inspired art fuses with the surreal dark comedy tone of his writing to present a stunning book with a mood that truly feels unlike any other on the stands right now. While I’m not entirely sure what’s going on or where we’re headed, March has strategically left just enough bait on the hook to keep me around to find out.