Comic Spotlight: The Killing Vote

Creators: Eom Seyun and Jung Ipum

Publisher: Tapas


It’s no shock that the justice system is broken and all too often people that we all know are guilty as sin get off on technicalities. But what would the public do if given the chance to give these people the punishment they deserve? That’s the concept of this amazing crime thriller on the webcomic app Tapas.

Gaetal, a mysterious figure in an ominous mask, broadcasts a message to the nation: vote on whether or not to kill a criminal who managed to dodge a conviction. Surprise, surprise, they opt for the killing vote.

The police, led by Detective Joo Hyuk, are faced with an opponent who seems to be well ahead of them. Joo is a very “by the book” type of detective, and doesn’t support this type of vigilante justice,but struggles against the reality that so many apparently do.

I loved the writing in this comic and the “what-if” aspect to this story. It’s an interesting question posed to the reader, as we’ve likely all found ourselves wishing that someone could get the justice that the system failed to deliver. How would I vote? Honestly, part of me is afraid to be given that choice. I think it’s a “slippery slope” type of situation. If I were to vote to kill one person, how would I vote on the next? Or the one after that?

The action is fast-paced and exciting. In one scene, a criminal has a bomb strapped to their chest, with a timer counting down and a promise that if it’s tampered with….BOOM. Joo figures that this vigilante won’t set it off and stays with their victim, but will this pay off? You gotta read to find out.

The characters are well thought-out, and beyond just Joo and Gaetal, we have a well-rounded cast, many of whom continue the discussion on whether this type of justice is justice at all. In particular is Joo’s sister, who seems to have an internal battle over this question.

Gaetal is a great character, though not much is known about them. I’m really looking forward to the big reveal, if there is one planned. One sense I have from the creators is this isn’t their first time behind the keyboard. There’s a definite feeling of experience on their part.

Overall, this is an amazing story and the cliffhanger endings are very well done. I highly recommend for any mystery fan.

Citywide Comic Spotlight: The Prep and the Goth

Creator: Loree Jon

Publisher: Webtoon, Tapas or Instagram

A prep and a goth meet while at school and immediately dislike each other, becoming lifelong adversaries. 

Well, that’s how it normally goes, but not so with “The Prep and the Goth.” The prep, Cassidy and the goth, Valerie, do meet at school, but instead of adhering to stereotypes, they find common ground and form a deep and lasting friendship. 

I first saw this on the creator’s Instagram and immediately liked what I saw. One thing which makes this series stand so strongly is the depth of the characters. Yes, Cassidy is a prep and Valerie is a goth, but the two look beyond both surfaces and find they have a lot in common, whether it’s music or movies or just enjoying one another’s company. 

Both also help each other grow, such as when Valerie begins tutoring Cassidy in math (I could have used a friend like that!) or when Cassidy tells Valerie how pretty she is, a compliment apparently heard for the first time. 

One word to describe this series is “healthy.” Valerie and Cassidy have a great friendship and I love seeing it grow in each episode. The humor is great and genuine. One thing I got is that the connection just happens—there’s no “explanation episode” where they have to defend or define who they are. It’s like they already know there’s more beneath the surface and I really like it.

The art is really good. The expressions of the characters is what stood out to me and I’m getting a lot from the interactions of the cast. Cassidy and Valerie’s clothes definitely stick to what we expect butin the end, it’s just what they like to wear, not who they are.

In all, “The Prep and the Goth” has a lot to offer and I look forward to seeing what comes next. 

Citywide Comic Spotlight: The Dummy’s Dummy

Series Creator: Mochamura

Published on: Webtoon 

Without a doubt, “The Dummy’s Dummy” has become my favorite horror comic, both for the captivating art and amazing story. It centers on a psychic girl named Yumi, an eerie living puppet named Paris, and the strange, deadly monsters they have to take down.

Art-wise, this is what really nailed it for me when I began reading. It’s absolutely beautiful, and bringing that skill set to a horror title—let’s just say it’s hard not to jump at the sound when my heater kicks on. The colors are a great blend of light and dark shades and the style flows like a living thing.

But it’s not just the art that sold me on it. Paris and Yumi’s mission to stop the her grandfather’s creations from committing wholesale slaughter brings a depth that goes beyond a normal horror tale. It’s not another ‘monster of the week’ kind of story. Each encounter brings something different, whether it’s Yumi coming to terms with her role or helping the spirit inhabit a haunted camera make peace with their past. There’s a lot of heart in this, which to me makes it stand apart from a lot of other stories.

You can check out The Dummy’s Dummy on both Webtoon and Tapas, and trust me, it’s a great read—just make sure the lights are on.