Killer Influences #1
Writer: Joey Esposito
Artist: Valeria Burzo
Main Cover: David Baldeon
Variant Covers: Valeria Burzo, David Lapham, Sarah Stern
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: July 1, 2026
In the first issue of Killer Influences, we open with a bleak monologue about Eden, an industrial town in the Pacific Northwest. Visually, we follow a young man working a factory job, who then goes out to a bar, follows another man into an alley, and suffocates him with a plastic bag. So it’s an interesting surprise to find that our narrator the entire time has been Kylie Hart, aspiring journalist and true crime podcaster. Throughout the first issue, we’ll follow Kylie and our other lead, who we eventually find out is named Melvin Duffy, as they become aware of each other and change each other’s lives.
As mentioned previously, the first murder happens on the fourth page, and despite even slight moments of levity after that point, the tension does not lift once for the rest of the issue. You will either be anticipating Melvin’s next move or on edge as Kylie navigates the difficulties of her family life and the harsh realities of a town with no prospects.
Writer Joey Esposito has created such a likeable protagonist in Kylie; it’s difficult to fault her even when she begins making decisions that are inarguably morally wrong, because we see things so clearly from her perspective. Or rather, we can fault her, but we understand her too well to dislike her. She’s an excellent anti-hero in the vein of Walter White and Dexter Morgan.
Balancing Kylie is the actual murderer, Melvin Duffy, or as the world will come to know him, the Caddyshack Killer. While Melvin’s story and motivations are not explicitly expressed, we’re given plenty of context, and he’s not entirely unsympathetic. However, he’s not likeable. Although he’s shown to be incredibly intelligent, he’s got zero charisma, with stilted dialogue that sounds stiff and unnatural, like he’s not used to talking to people.
Now, Melvin is a murderer, so saying he’s not likeable may seem silly; I’m not expecting Haunting Adeline and he doesn’t need to be charming. But the contrast this draws between Melvin and Kylie sets them up as well-matched allies or opponents, depending on how the story plays out. He’s efficient, but she’s creative. He plans ahead meticulously, but she’s better at improvising. Kylie has behaved unethically (criminally) so she wouldn’t be quick to turn to the police if he turned on her, but their strengths and weaknesses are so well matched, I do think she’d give him a run for his money if she knew he was after her.
Artist Valeria Burzo makes Eden feel incredibly real, from the view of the factory against a sunrise to the outdated library full of barrister bookcases. Of course my favorite panel of the entire issue is a close-up just after Melvin’s caught Kylie snooping. The expressions, the dramatic lighting, and the lightning strike in the background capture the perfect moment of confrontation.
Final Thoughts
Killer Influences #1 is off to an intriguing start with a well-rounded and relatable lead, and another lead to balance all that relateableness out. Will they be perpetual collaborators or mutual antagonists? I’m willing to stick around to find out.
