Orla!, A new five-issue miniseries from Mad Cave Studios, shows the horrors of modern dating with a monstrous twist — with a literal monster being the biggest relationship killer of all.
Orla! is a rom-com/creature-feature combo from Mad Cave Studios that comes from John Lees (SINK, The Nasty, Hotel), Sally Cantirino (I Walk With Monsters, Human Remains), Dearbhla Kelly (The Dead Lucky, Bad Karma), and Lucas Gattoni (XO Manowar). The comic follows antique restorer Orla Bard, who has a man-eating monster named The Ick inside her!
Check out our exclusive preview of the series, which features cover art from Cantirino and Lisa Sterle (Witchblood).
Orla Bard is an antique restorer, romance novel enjoyer and keen birder. She also believes in true love, continuing to navigate Seattle’s singles scene despite repeated disappointment. But she has a secret. She is afflicted with The Ick, a man-eating monstrous entity dwelling inside her, who violently emerges whenever she gets too angry or afraid. Unable to rid herself of this curse, Orla uses The Ick to save other women by removing the scummiest men from the dating pool…permanently. Hearts (and bodies) will be broken in this offbeat romcom/creature-feature mashup!
“Orla! is my take on a rom-com—just with a man-eating monster at its center,” said writer John Lees. “It’s about the pressure to perform the ‘perfect’ version of yourself, and the fear of showing someone who you really are underneath. Working with Sally has been incredible—her art brings Orla and Gwyn to life in ways that surprised even me. Paired with Dearbhla Kelly and Lucas Gattoni, this team is a dream.”
“From the moment John Lees pitched Orla! to me, I fell in love with the story,” said artist Sally Cantirino. “It’s hard not to love Orla and The Ick. John’s dark humor and Dearbhla Kelly’s vibrant colors are a perfect match for this story about the horrors of dating in an age of fragile masculinity and finding love even when you’re feeling monstrous.”
Orla! #1 arrives at comic book stores on August 6th, 2025. Let your comic book shop know you’d like to pre-order the issue!
Can’t wait to check this out! Love Lees’ writing and Cantirino’s art is perfect for this.
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