Mainstream comic publishers usually play it safe, which is exactly why the indie scene is so great. Creators can take wild risks on concepts that big companies wouldn’t dare touch. Case in point: writer Arismendy Jimenez is currently funding a project on Kickstarter that turns one of the most hated pests on the planet into a mythic horror protagonist.
Published by Aristocracy Comics, Roach: Born of Poison is a 24-page, black-and-white indie book that blends survival horror with dark fantasy. The creator hooked us up with some preview pages, so you can check out the gritty artwork for yourself below.
From Pest to Apex Predator
The story kicks off beneath a poisoned kitchen cabinet. Instead of wiping out the nest, a pest control treatment mutates a single insect, birth-marking a humanoid roach into a hostile world. Jimenez pitches the book as a survival-horror creature feature, heavily inspired by nature documentaries and mythic survival stories. This creature starts as the ultimate underdog, dodging predators, boots, and chemical warfare.
Our protagonist starts at the absolute bottom of the food chain. He has to dodge giant predators, heavy boots, and chemical poison just to see tomorrow. But here is the cool twist: every injury teaches him a lesson. The story tracks how a creature built entirely for survival adapts to its environment, sharpens its instincts, and slowly evolves from helpless prey into something genuinely dangerous. This issue is just the opening act of a planned three-part saga about ambition and the hunger to become more than what you were born to be.
Roach rises from its Cocoon in Roach: Born of Poison preview below!
Campaign Status: The Final Countdown
Aristocracy Comics is building some real momentum, but the clock is ticking. There are only 12 days left to help them cross the finish line. If you love raw storytelling, monster movies, and supporting independent creators, head over to the Roach: Born of Poison Kickstarter Campaign Page and lock in your copy.
