Oni Press’ Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1: The Nightmare Gets an Upgrade This August!
The nightmare is far from over. In fact, it’s about to get a terrifying new expansion. This August, the acclaimed publisher Oni Press invites you to log back into a chillingly familiar, yet dangerously evolved digital world with Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1. The brilliant creative duo, writer Zac Thompson and artist Daniel Irizarri, are set to return, poised to elevate their sold-out cyberpunk horror sensation that began with Cemetery Kids Don’t Die. Prepare for a new level of fear. This upcoming series promises not only a fresh jumping-on point for newcomers but also a deeply unsettling continuation for those who barely survived the first ordeal. We have been on the edge of our seats for this next installment, and every revealed detail points towards a truly synapse-shredding experience for all who dare to read.
Dive Deeper into the Nightmare: Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1 Details
Oni Press has officially pulled back the curtain on the next chapter in this boundary-breaking science-horror hybrid. Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1 is slated for release on August 13, 2025, and it’s designed to plunge both new readers and returning fans deeper into its pixelated, perilous landscape. The original series, Cemetery Kids Don’t Die, captivated audiences with its innovative premise and visceral horror. Now, Thompson and Irizarri are set to amplify that experience.
The narrative of Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1 picks up one year after the terrifying events of the first volume. Four friends narrowly escaped the clutches of the malevolent video game known as Nightmare Cemetery. They had spent countless hours immersed in the Dreamwave—a revolutionary gaming console played entirely while asleep—to save one of their own from the game’s horrifyingly real consequences. They survived, but the scars remained. Consequently, they made a pact to leave Nightmare Cemetery and its enigmatic antagonist, the King of Sleep, firmly in their past.
However, the digital darkness has other plans.
The Haunting Allure of ‘The Blighted Sprawl’ in Cemetery Kids Run Rabid
Peace is a fleeting luxury for the Cemetery Kids. Their resolve is tested when a new DLC, ominously titled “The Blighted Sprawl,” suddenly surfaces online. This expansion comes with an irresistible, yet dreadful, promise: to reveal the truth lurking at the core of Nightmare Cemetery’s digital abyss. More disturbingly, it hints at why the game’s insidious effects are now bleeding into the waking world, manifesting in bizarre and unsettling ways. The lines between game and reality blur further, dragging the protagonists back into the terror they fought so hard to escape. For those who enjoy keeping up with the latest in comic book horror, this series is shaping up to be a significant event.
The creators themselves are eager to unleash this new level of terror. Editor in Chief Sierra Hahn stated, “Zac and Daniel have brilliantly amplified the terror and heartbreak of these Cemetery Kids.” She added, “It makes for a thrilling ride back into Nightmare Cemetery where they’ll confront real-world horrors leaving you to wonder if they ever left the game all along.” This sentiment underscores the psychological depth and escalating stakes awaiting readers.
Writer Zac Thompson shared his enthusiasm, saying, “Returning to the strange and violent world of Cemetery Kids with the singular Daniel Irizarri is a thrilling privilege. So we’re not here to waste your time. Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1 takes everything you loved about the first volume and amplifies it ten-fold for a character-driven horror story played on nightmare difficulty.” Thompson elaborated on the darker tone, “It’s a meaner, scarier book that reckons with false victories and dead futures. And it’s all soaked in the gore and viscera of the disgusting monsters that live inside your head. So come, experience your nightmares with us. And try not to worry about waking up.”
Artist Daniel Irizarri echoed this, focusing on the evolving nature of the horror. “Continuing Cemetery Kids has let us really hone in on what makes this world unique and terrifying,” Irizarri commented. “Zac’s writing is my favorite so far, tapping further into our anxieties about the invasive intelligences of future psycho-technologies, creating a genuine sense of dread that our characters are truly in over their heads and the nightmare is consuming them bit by bit.” He also touched upon the visual evolution: “The dual-reality nature also evolves as the kids feel more alone than ever finding new, terrible ways of coping with a dying future society by day, while in nightmares, exploring our abandoned liminal spaces twisted and rotted by time and trauma. Their RPG avatars may have gotten upgrades, but nothing can prepare them for THE BLIGHTED SPRAWL.”
This powerful synergy between writer and artist is what made the first series so compelling, and it appears Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1 will push their creative vision even further. The themes of techno-anxiety, trauma, and the search for truth in a digitally saturated world resonate strongly. Furthermore, the “dying future society” backdrop adds another layer of despair and urgency to the characters’ plight. The exploration of abandoned liminal spaces within their nightmares promises some truly haunting visuals, especially considering the upgrade to their RPG avatars, which hints at new game mechanics and, undoubtedly, new horrors.
The creative team for Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1 is, of course, headed by Zac Thompson (Writer) and Daniel Irizarri (Artist). The series will launch with a stunning array of covers to collect, showcasing incredible comic art from top talents. Cover A is by Daniel Irizarri himself, with Cover B by the acclaimed Martin Simmonds (The Department of Truth), and Cover C by Gegê Schall (Better Angels). Additionally, a Full Art Variant (1:10 incentive) by Martin Simmonds will be available for collectors.
The first issue of this four-part mini-series will be 32 full-color pages and retail for $4.99. The In-Store Date of Cadence (IOC) is June 19, 2025, and the Final Order Cutoff (FOC) for retailers is July 14, 2025, leading up to the August 13, 2025 on-sale date. Mark your calendars; the dream may be over, but the nightmare is indeed just beginning. Oni Press has a strong history of publishing groundbreaking comics, and this series looks set to continue that tradition.
Conclusion: Are You Ready to Re-Enter the Nightmare?
Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1 is undeniably shaping up to be a standout horror comic event for 2025. Zac Thompson and Daniel Irizarri are poised to deliver a sequel that not only continues the terrifying saga of Nightmare Cemetery but also pushes the boundaries of the cyberpunk and science-horror genres. With its compelling promise of amplified scares, deeper character exploration, and the disturbing fusion of digital nightmares with stark reality, this Oni Press title is an absolute must-watch. The intricate world-building, combined with the psychological depth of the narrative, ensures that this series will linger in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the final page.
The nightmare truly begins, or perhaps resumes with a vengeance, this August.What are your theories about “The Blighted Sprawl”? Do you think the Cemetery Kids can ever truly escape the game? Head over to our Twitter page and share your thoughts and predictions with our community!
