
First Look at Oni Press’s Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1
The line between the game and reality is shattering. Oni Press is plugging you back into the nightmare with a first look at Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1. This series marks the thrilling next chapter in the cyberpunk horror saga that captured readers’ minds. Creators Zac Thompson and Daniel Irizarri are prepared to drag you back into their terrifying digital world. We have a sneak peek at the horror that awaits. This new story arc serves as a perfect entry point for anyone unfamiliar with the series, so prepare to log in and lose your mind.
Why Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1 Will Haunt Your Dreams
The world of gaming horror has a terrifying new contender. The original series, Cemetery Kids Don’t Die, introduced a concept that chilled players to the bone. Imagine a video game played while you sleep, one where the consequences are deadly real. That is the world Zac Thompson and Daniel Irizarri have masterfully crafted. These creators have tapped into a modern fear, our increasing immersion in digital landscapes. The first series saw four friends fight for their lives within the “Nightmare Cemetery” game, a battle they barely survived. Many comic book fans were captivated by the blend of high-tech dread and visceral horror.
The critical acclaim speaks for itself. AIPT praises it as “a gore-geous mix of science fiction and horror,” and calls it “the horror take on Ready Player One you’ve been waiting for.” The series doesn’t just rely on jump scares; it builds a compelling narrative with strong characters. Library Journal notes its “chilling reflection on the cost of overreliance on technology.” This isn’t just a story about a scary game; it’s a look at how virtual worlds reshape our very identities. The creative team is firing on all cylinders. The Beat aptly calls Thompson “comics’ very own Cronenberg,” while Comic Book Yeti declares that Irizarri “is drawing the absolute hell out of this series.” This level of artistry and narrative depth is what makes this chilling series a must-read.
The Nightmare Continues in The Blighted Sprawl
One year has passed since the survivors escaped the Dreamwave console. They thought they had left the King of Sleep and his digital hell behind them forever. However, a new threat emerges. A surprise DLC, titled “The Blighted Sprawl,” has mysteriously appeared online. It promises to unveil the dark truths at the heart of Nightmare Cemetery. More disturbingly, the game’s influence is no longer contained. Its horrors are now bleeding into the real world in bizarre and terrifying ways.
This first issue is an excellent jumping-on point for readers looking for fresh new comics. You don’t need to be a seasoned player to get hooked. The story effectively catches you up on the terror before pushing the narrative into an even more disturbing direction. The question is no longer just about surviving the game, but about what happens when you can’t escape it even in your waking life. How do you fight an enemy that can manipulate your reality? This creative team forces us to confront these unsettling questions head-on.
The official publisher, Oni Press, has provided a full look at the upcoming release. Prepare to put your life on the line.
CEMETERY KIDS RUN RABID #1 (OF 4)
- Written By: ZAC THOMPSON
- Art By: DANIEL IRIZARRI
- Cover A By: DANIEL IRIZARRI
- Cover B By: MARTIN SIMMONDS
- Cover C By: GEGÊ SCHALL
- Full Art Variant (1:10) By: MARTIN SIMMONDS
This issue will be on sale on August 13, 2025, for $4.99.
You Can’t Escape the Game
Zac Thompson and Daniel Irizarri have created a truly modern horror story with Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #1. It explores the dark side of our digital obsessions and the thin veil that separates our world from the ones we create online. The series asks a terrifying question: what happens when that veil is torn away completely? This is more than just a comic; it’s a technological take on terror that grabs you by the optic nerves and refuses to let go.
Are you ready to plug back in? Let us know if you’ll be picking up this issue by heading over to our Twitter page and joining the conversation!







