Regicide #1: Madvilliany

Mihas is a humble farmer, but the land he resides is anything but. When a mysterious man in an iron mask recruits Mihas on a mission to kill the king of the land, he will encounter both blood and horror the likes of which he has never known.

Regicide makes no qualms about what it is by telling you its premise outright. Almost immediately the stage is set and the stakes are declared. This world is one seen in a thousand other medieval setting stories, but there are hints that there is something deeper than the surface of this cursed land.

Patrick Kindlon turns in the humor and sex from his recent hit Tigress Island for a more serious and blood-filled tale to save a tainted kingdom. Despite his immense size, Mihas is a gentle farmer who is well over his head when it comes to violence he will face on his journey. He is capable of defending himself, but that only goes so far when you are facing literal demons and monsters. Doru, the man in the mask that looks very much like Doctor Doom, is holding a bevy of secrets that will also make or break this journey.

Berserk was the right comparison when it comes to this series art. Ludovic Lalliat’s very detailed art helps highlight the visceral first issue’s action and horror beat. Bold lines make the characters pop out against the rich backgrounds and the action scenes are gritty and high-intensity.