When issue #1 of Kill Train dropped, we loved it so much we even wrote a full review about it. And now that the whole series is out? Buckle up, because Kill Train by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs and Martina Niosi is easily one of the best horror comics I’ve read this year. What a killer ride!

Kill Train
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Writer: Olivia Cuartero-Briggs
Interior Artist: Martina Niosi
Cover Artist: Skylar Patridge
Colorist: Simone d’Angelo
Letterer: Becca Carey
Release dates: January 29, 2025 – May 28, 2025

If you’ve been living under a rock, Kill Train is a pulse-pounding horror series about Vanessa, a woman who finds herself in a train filled with sadistic killers. She and a group of passengers have only one goal: make it to the end of the train before they’re all brutally slaughtered. Each train car holds a new horror, a new killer, and new psychological scars. 

Issue one gave us great character introductions and a tease of the violence to come. But what followed was even better. The series delivered all the gore it promised (and then some). But Kill Train isn’t just a bloodbath (although, to be clear, it is a deliciously messy one). What really elevated it for me was the emotional depth and commentary on mental health.

There’s something hauntingly real about the way Vanessa is forced to confront her past while navigating literal killers. Because really, what’s a better time to hallucinate your trauma than when running from psychos? That psychological layer made me connect with Vanessa on a deeper level. I wasn’t just rooting for her survival, I wanted her to heal.

The rest of the passengers? Each one feels distinct and fully realized. Whether it’s the wannabe hero, the “we’re all doomed” or the scaredy cat, you’ll see a bit of yourself in this crew. The pacing is relentless. Vanessa has no time to rest as she’s thrust into the role of reluctant leader, pushing the group car by car toward salvation.

Let’s talk about the kills. The murder scenes are so well done. Martina Niosi absolutely nails the choreography, the atmosphere, and the grotesque creativity you want in a horror comic. The way the external violence mirrors Vanessa’s internal struggle adds a layer of storytelling you don’t always get in horror. It’s not just carnage for the sake of shock, it’s meaningful. And yeah, still very gross in the best possible way. And the ending? No spoilers here, but let’s just say it felt earned. Cathartic. The kind of finale that makes you exhale and say, “Damn, that was a ride.” Kill Train isn’t just a standout horror comic. It’s a story about trauma, survival, leadership, and blood. So much blood.

I loved it. And if you love meaningful horror, you need to read it too. The trade paperback will be out in August!