Narco #1 is a Slow But Interesting Start to Murder Mystery (Review)

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I’m a big fan of murder mysteries, and the Image Comics series Narco has a really unique premise. It follows Marcus Wesphal, a young man with a rare condition – narcolepsy. Whenever he gets too excited and his heart rate spikes above 200 beats per minute, he loses consciousness. This is a fascinating character trait, and I haven’t encountered it before in a crime story. I’m always eager to read fresh takes on the genre, particularly those that involve shocking and violent crimes.

Doug Wagner, known for comics like The Average Joes and I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer, teams up with Daniel Hillyard in Narco #1. Though I wasn’t familiar with either creator beforehand, I always enjoy seeing fresh takes on crime stories. While I can’t compare this to their past work, Narco #1 definitely has an interesting concept and the collaboration between Wagner and Hillyard feels strong. The first issue starts a little slowly, but it shows a lot of promise for readers.

PROS CONS
Interesting character work for Marcus Slow set-up
Artwork communicates Marcus’s narcolepsy well Supporting cast feels a bit flat

Narco #1 is a Quiet Opening to an Interesting Murder Mystery

The story doesn’t hide Marcus’s medical condition, but it does reveal more about him by showing he runs a blog about serial killers. It’s while writing a new post – after being startled by a possum – that his anxiety flares up and he faints. Though Marcus tries to be careful, it’s obvious his rare form of narcolepsy forces him to live a very limited life. He works from home and rarely sees friends, and the blog seems to be his main focus.

Most of the groundwork for the story is already established. We’re introduced to Marcus and learn about his situation, as well as the people closest to him – his friends and Jess, his neighbor and potential love interest. However, Marcus struggles to open up and express his feelings for Jess, and she’s still dealing with emotional fallout from a previous relationship. This complicates things for Marcus and makes pursuing a romance difficult. The story really gains momentum towards the end, with a particularly impactful page that moves the plot forward significantly.

Narco #1 Plays It Safe, But It’s Got Potential

It’s tough for a first issue to both establish the story’s foundation and be compelling on its own. While Narco #1 is okay, I was hoping for a bit more to happen within its pages. It does a good job introducing key details – like Marcus’s condition and his relationship with Jess – but after nearly 30 pages, and with such an attention-grabbing cover, I found it a little underwhelming. Overall though, it wasn’t a bad story.

I found the idea of a murder mystery protagonist who unexpectedly falls unconscious to be really compelling. The story effectively shows how easily Marcus can be triggered – whether by fear, physical effort, or anything in between – leaving him exposed and raising the tension. I especially appreciated how the author portrayed the experience of his narcolepsy, slowly blurring the world around him until he loses consciousness. Overall, this first chapter sets a strong foundation for a gripping crime novel.

First issues are often tricky, and while this story felt a little slow-paced, it successfully achieved its goals. It grabbed my attention, made me connect with the main character, and left me wanting to know what happens next. It wasn’t the most thrilling opening to an Image series, but I still enjoyed it and think Wagner and Hillyard are building a compelling story. I’m definitely curious to see where they take the ‘Narco’ narrative, as this first chapter shows a lot of potential.

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2026-02-03 19:16