Enter the Fever Dream: Image Comics Announces “The Voice Said Kill #1”

Prepare yourself for a journey into the sweaty, psychedelic heart of the Louisiana bayou. This July, Image Comics unleashes The Voice Said Kill #1, the debut issue of a scorching four-part Cajun crime miniseries. Hailing from the brilliant and acclaimed minds of writer Si Spurrier (Coda, X-Men, The Flash) and artist Vanesa Del Rey (Black Widow, Redlands), this series promises a unique blend of swamp-Gothic atmosphere and hardboiled thrills. With comparisons to Fargo meeting Deliverance, expectations are high for a truly memorable read.

The creative team doesn’t stop there. Joining Spurrier and Del Rey are colorist John Starr (X-Men), letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (You’ll Do Bad Things), and designer Emma Price. This powerhouse assembly signals a commitment to quality and a unified artistic vision. Their combined experience, spanning major publishers and critically lauded independent work, firmly establishes the expertise behind this project, assuring readers they are in capable hands for one of summer 2025’s most anticipated unique comic book experiences.

What Twisted Tale Awaits in The Voice Said Kill #1?

The Voice Said Kill #1 plunges readers directly into the thick, humid air of the Louisiana mire. The official description paints a vivid, unsettling picture. Alligator poachers navigate the murky waters. A park ranger, well into her pregnancy, shares a tense moment over moonshine with a local criminal matriarch – a scene dripping with potential conflict. And stalking through this charged environment is a “deadly sonuvabitch,” driven by hallucinogenic mushrooms and a thirst for retribution. He loads his rifle for a “Human Hunt,” screaming defiance at the stars.

This setup promises a narrative rich with tension, danger, and morally ambiguous characters. The juxtaposition of the vibrant, pastel beauty of the bayou wilderness with shadowy nightmares and dark deeds is central to the comic’s aesthetic. It suggests a story that explores the darkness lurking beneath a beautiful surface, both in the landscape and within human hearts. It’s a potent mix of crime, southern gothic, and psychological horror.

Creator Insights: Spurrier & Del Rey on the Fever Dream

The creators themselves offer tantalizing glimpses into the series’ soul. Si Spurrier shared his long-held passion for this project: “I’ve waited years to make this book… This perfect, self-contained spiral of murder, moonshine and motherhood, steaming with Cajun chaos and swamp spice.” He emphasized finding the right artistic partner, stating, “In Vanesa, I’ve found the most exceptional expression of that transformative sorcery. What’s emerged is this visionary, impressionistic fever-dream… unlike anything I’ve ever written or read.”

Vanesa Del Rey echoed the immersive, mind-altering quality they aim for: “The Voice Said Kill asks the reader to step out of their comfort zone and into the darkness… I want this book to send you on a transcendental journey as if you were tripping on mushrooms in the real jungle.” She added, “I can say that my own mind has been transformed, making this book possible. So please enjoy the trip, and don’t forget to call your mother.” These insights highlight the ambition behind The Voice Said Kill #1 – it’s not just a crime story, but an experience designed to affect the reader on a deeper level.

About the Visionary Creators

• Si Spurrier: A prolific writer across comics, prose, and TV, Spurrier is known for critically acclaimed works like Coda, Step By Bloody Step, and The Spire, alongside major titles like X-Men, The Flash, and Hellblazer. His GLAAD award for Star Wars: Doctor Aphra further cements his versatile talent.
• Vanesa Del Rey: A Cuban-born artist with roots in animation concept art, Del Rey brings a distinctive dark and gritty style. Her work includes The Witcher, Scarlet Witch, and the Harvey-nominated Hit: 1955. Her creator-owned Image Comics series Redlands (with Jordie Bellaire) earned an Eisner nomination for Best New Series.

The combination of Spurrier’s intricate plotting and sharp dialogue with Del Rey’s atmospheric, impressionistic art, enhanced by Starr’s colors and Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering, promises a visually stunning and narratively gripping experience. Fans will also have multiple covers to choose from, including the main cover by Vanesa Del Rey (Cover A), and stunning variant covers by Christian Ward (Cover B, 1:25 incentive) and Tula Lotay (Cover C, 1:50 incentive).

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 23, 2025. That’s when The Voice Said Kill #1 (of 4) arrives in comic book shops. It will also be available digitally on platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Final Thoughts: Are You Ready for The Voice?

The Voice Said Kill #1 is poised to be a standout debut from Image Comics this summer. Fusing the gritty tension of a crime thriller with the hallucinatory atmosphere of a psychedelic fever dream, all set against the evocative backdrop of the Louisiana bayou, it promises something truly different. Led by the stellar creative team of Si Spurrier and Vanesa Del Rey, alongside John Starr, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and Emma Price, this miniseries demands attention. Prepare for a story of murder, motherhood, moonshine, and madness.

Are you intrigued by this unique blend of genres? Ready to take the trip into the swampy depths? Let us know on our Twitter page! We’re eager to hear your thoughts!