PRE-ORDER: 'Orla!' #1 by John Lees, Sally Cantirino, and Dearbhla Kelly

An early look at ORLA!, a five-issue miniseries from award-winning writer John Lees (SINK, The Nasty, Hotell) and celebrated horror artist Sally Cantirino (I Walk With Monsters, Human Remains), with colors by Dearbhla Kelly (The Dead Lucky, Bad Karma), letters by Lucas Gattoni (XO Manowar), and Cover B by Lisa Sterle (Witchblood). Equal parts awkward romance and off-the-wall gorefest, Orla! is a brutally funny take on modern love, monstrous rage, and the terrifying vulnerability of letting someone in.

ORLA! #1

Writer: John Lees

Artist: Sally Cantirino

Colorist: Dearbhla Kelly

Letterer: Lucas Gattoni

Love is a monster.

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 Orla 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!

Publication Date: August 6, 2025

ORLA! #1 is now up for preorder from comic shops (FOC: July 14, 2025) and the Mad Cave site. It arrives at your LCS on August 6, 2025. 

“Orla! is my take on a rom-com—just with a man-eating monster at its center. 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.” – Writer, John Lees

"From the moment John Lees pitched ORLA! to me, I fell in love with the story. 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." – Artist, Sally Cantirino