Orla! is a series that hooked me immediately by turning everyday dating frustration into something funny… and a bit scary.

Orla!
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Writer: John Lees
Artist: Sally Cantirino
Colorist: Dearbhla Kelly
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Release dates: August – December 2025

Orla! is written by John Lees, a creator whose work we already loved, especially Hotell and The Nasty, two horror series that left a (very) strong impression on us. Knowing his ability to mix character driven storytelling with discomfort and sharp ideas is exactly why we were curious about this book. The art is by Sally Cantirino, who also worked on some covers for The Nasty and illustrated several great Vault Comics series like Human Remains, and her visual storytelling really elevates Orla!’s shifts between romance and horror.

The series follows Orla Bard, a lonely but thoughtful woman trying to survive the modern dating scene in Seattle. Orla has a secret called The Ick, a monster living inside her that violently takes over whenever her emotions spiral out of control. Over time, she starts using this curse to eliminate the worst men she encounters, turning bad dates into something far more permanent. Things become complicated when she finally meets someone she truly connects with, forcing her to confront whether intimacy, trust, and her inner monster can ever coexist. Across the five issues, the story slowly expands, adding outside pressure, unexpected attention, and a few sharp turns that completely reshape what Orla!’s world really is…

What really hooked me early on was how fun and uncomfortable this series is about dating. Those first issues perfectly capture that creeping tension of bad dates, awkward moments, and that feeling of being pushed too far. The horror works so well because it is rooted in situations that feel painfully familiar, and I loved how unapologetic the comic is about it. There is also a surprisingly horny energy running through the story, especially when desire becomes dangerous instead of romantic. That mix of attraction, fear, and loss of control made the horror feel sharper and more personal than I expected.

As the series goes on, Orla! becomes much more emotional and human. Once real feelings enter the picture, everything gets messier in the best way. I really appreciated how the story takes its time with guilt, confusion, and intimacy, even when things go completely off the rails. There is a major plot turn later on that genuinely caught me off guard, the kind that makes you stop for a second and rethink everything that came before. By the final issue, I was fully on board with where the story went, and that ending felt bold and incredibly satisfying.

Orla! is a smart, funny, and sharp series that turns modern dating anxiety into a monster story that really, really sticks with you. The trade paperback will be out in March 2026!