Cruel and Unusual

In the single-issue debut Cruel and Unusual (2023, Dantes Verlag), a lone, self-contained story explores a grim, speculative near-future where punitive justice has taken a chillingly literal turn. Written and illustrated by a single creator (not named in the provided facts), this premiere issue establishes a stark, atmospheric world that questions the nature of punishment and mercy. As a launch point for the series, it matters for its taut, philosophical horror and its debut of a distinct, unsettling visual style.