Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads)
If there’s one thing I’ve come to appreciate most about comic book series, it’s how a strong first issue can give readers a clear sense of the plot and direction, even within its short length. So the urban-fantasy series “You Never Heard of Me” by Iolanda Zanfardino and Eliza Romboli is off to a solid start.
The story follows teen William, who comes from a family of gifted seers. Each generation passes down a magical ability to see the best and worst moments of a person’s life with just a touch—whether it’s from the past or the future. William’s ailing grandmother currently holds this power, and his dad is next in line to inherit it. But what happens when it skips a generation? Chaos, confusion, and plenty of adventures!
Issue #1 opens with a stunning sunset scene of William sitting by the seashore, skipping stones, until his sister interrupts his peaceful ‘me time’ to drag him back home. The creators quickly introduce us to William’s family: a grandmother who loves to help others, an overworked mechanic dad keen on gaining powers, and a laid-back, athletic sister. While his dad sees the family gift as a blessing, teen William views it more as a curse.
The artwork by Eliza Romboli in You Never Heard of Me is riveting from the very first panel, instantly pulling readers in. As the story unfolds, the color palette keeps shifting —starting with vibrant sunset hues and transitioning to calmer, more colorful tones. It’s this lively use of color that makes it hard to go back to black-and-white comics! This dynamic style is something you’ll also find in Eliza’s other series like Alice in Leatherland and A Thing Called Truth.
Iolanda Zanfardino’s storytelling keeps pace with the energetic artwork, delivering a rich teen fantasy filled with magic, lore, and family drama. William is a fun take on the loner archetype, with a few quirks that set him apart from typical teen leads. For instance, while most teens are glued to their phones, William is refreshingly different—he’s always forgetting his phone, much to his father’s annoyance.
Overall, Issue #1 of You Never Heard of Me is a whirlwind of entertainment, taking William through an emotional rollercoaster in just 25 pages. Surprisingly, the chapter wraps up on a more relaxed note, a welcome change from the usual cliffhangers that make the wait for the next issue feel like torture. But I’m definitely looking forward to Issue #2!
Check out You Never Heard of Me if you’re on the hunt for a teen fantasy comic book series.
Read Next: The House Graphic Novel Review
Also Read: Nobody Wants This – Netflix Series Review (Short Audio Version below)
