Thank you to NetGalley and Image comics for a digital copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my review!

5 Stars! This graphic novel was incredible! I was thoroughly entertained throughout, and while usually I can see some twists coming I did not see many of these twists. It was very cinematic it felt like I was literally watching a movie, but it played off so much better than many action movies do with the comedy. I grew to really love the characters and be invested in the story even in such a short amount of time. I was so sad when it ended and I hope that these two work together again!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

*Royals* by Derek Kirk Kim is a charming and engaging graphic novel that combines humor, adventure, and heart into a thoroughly enjoyable read. The artwork is expressive and full of personality, helping bring the characters and their journey to life.

I especially enjoyed the character dynamics and the balance between lighthearted moments and meaningful themes. The story is easy to get invested in, making it a great choice for readers looking for a fun and memorable graphic novel.

Royals was a rip roaring fun ride, with phenomenal art from Jacob Perez which absolutely immerses you into the story. The dialogue from Derek Kirk Kim really lands both the funny and emotional moments.

We follow Paul and Castor as they travel to Seoul to use their telepathic powers in order to win a massive Poker tournament, but all does not go as planned. What follows is an action packed and emotional exploration of family bonds, religion, ethics and what it means to be human.

One of my favourite comic reads recently and yet another banger from Image comics, i would highly recommend checking it out!

Royals was such a fun read. It’s exactly what it promises to be in the best possible way, energetic, entertaining, funny, and full of personality from beginning to end.

The artwork is absolutely incredible and really serves as the backbone of the entire story experience. It’s subtly colorful, expressive, and visually engaging in a way that perfectly complements the writing and tone. Every panel feels alive, and the visual storytelling works hand in hand (the backgrounds in some scenes were just wow) with the script to make both the comedy and emotional beats land even harder.

Castor and Paul’s sibling dynamic was easily one of my favorite aspects of the story. Castor is much more outgoing, expressive, chaotic, and larger-than-life, while Paul acts as the more level-headed straight man to his energy. Their personalities bounce off each other perfectly.

What makes their relationship so enjoyable is that, despite their differences, they’re actually very similar underneath it all, which makes their clashes feel even funnier and more authentic. If you’ve ever had a sibling who simultaneously annoys you and entertains you just by existing, this dynamic will absolutely resonate.

The story itself started a little slow for me and I wasn’t instantly “hooked,” but I was still invested because the characters, humor, and artwork carried everything so well. I was definitely nibbling the bait on the hook. And once the plot really kicked in, it hit hard and fast. I was completely locked in from that point onward.

Overall, I had a genuinely great time with Royals and would absolutely recommend it. It is one of those reads that just feels really well put together and you can tell the writer and illustrator really click creatively, which makes everything flow so naturally.

An incredible action packed crime thriller (without a focus on cops) in a vibrant Seoul mixed with intrigue and gray morality of power, religion, and brotherly love! I loved every second of it and was on the edge of my seat at every turn of the page. It had a perfect mix of humor, emotion, and violence with some incredible illustration.