COMICS WARLOCKS

I went into The Guy in the Chair curious and came out genuinely impressed, so let’s break it down.

The Guy in the Chair
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writers: Hannah Rose May, Utkarsh Ambudkar 
Artist: Guillermo Sanna
Colorist: Dearbhla Kelly
Letterers: Josh Reed, Steve Wands
Release dates: October 2025 – January 2026

The series is co written by Hannah Rose May and Utkarsh Ambudkar. We already liked Hannah Rose May’s work on The Exorcism at 1600 Penn and the new Smile: For the Camera, so we were curious to see her tackle something more action driven. Utkarsh Ambudkar, who is also known as an actor, co writes the series, and together the story delivers a mix of action, mystery, and emotional stakes that kept me engaged. The art by Guillermo Sanna manages to fit the tone perfectly, especially during the action sequences, giving the missions a cinematic and dynamic feel.

The Guy in the Chair follows Abhi, a tactical analyst who supports field operative Merlin during dangerous missions from behind a screen. In a world of assassins and corporate espionage, he is supposed to stay detached, but he has fallen in love with her. When Merlin is reported dead during a mission, his world collapses, only for her to suddenly show up at his apartment alive, injured, and convinced that their own employer is trying to eliminate her. What follows is a fast moving thriller filled with betrayals, hidden agendas, corporate conspiracies, and shifting loyalties, forcing Abhi out from behind his computer and directly into the danger he used to observe from a safe distance.

I really liked how different this felt from a typical spy comic. Starting with the emotional angle of the guy in the chair being in love with his agent already gives it something more personal. The first issue hooked me immediately with the fake out death and Merlin suddenly appearing at his door. From there, the series keeps the momentum going with a lot of action and mystery. I genuinely never felt bored, which honestly does not always happen with action heavy comics. There are betrayals, hidden assets, and some twists that caught me off guard. The pacing keeps things moving constantly.

What I appreciated most is how the story eventually pushes Abhi into the field. Usually, the operator stays behind the screens while others take the risks, so seeing him thrown into the front seat of the action was such a fun shift. And it works. He actually proves he has what it takes, which makes the whole premise feel meaningful rather than gimmicky. There is a cool plot twist near the end that adds another layer to everything, and overall the series manages to mix romance, humor, and explosive action in a way that feels entertaining without taking itself too seriously.

The Guy in the Chair is a fast, fun spy thriller with heart, and with the trade paperback out on June 16, 2026, it is a perfect time to jump in.