Feral #26 — Tony Fleecs and Trish Forstner Send Elsie Deeper Into the Dark

Elsie is lost, alone, and haunted by a ghostly presence that has more than one agenda in Tony Fleecs and Trish Forstner’s latest chapter of Feral. A haunting new arc that serves as a perfect entry point for anyone curious about the woods.

There is a specific kind of dread that comes from realizing you are truly, completely alone in a place that refuses to let you rest. Tony Fleecs has mastered the art of weaving quiet, domestic moments with sudden, visceral horror, and Feral is his masterpiece. This issue marks the start of a new story arc, which means the series is opening its doors wider than ever for readers who have been on the fence or those who simply haven’t had the chance to step into the woods yet. It is a fresh start, grounded in the same terrifying logic that has kept fans hooked for months.

After the intense events of the previous chapter, Elsie finds herself stripped of her usual support systems. She is isolated in the dark, navigating a landscape that feels increasingly hostile to her presence. The isolation isn’t just physical; it is psychological. The ghostly Spirit Guide returns, and this time, the dynamic has shifted. The entity’s intentions have grown clearer in their demand, wanting Elsie not just to follow, but to remain apart from everyone she knows. It is a chilling premise that turns the wilderness into a psychological pressure cooker.

Trish Forstner’s art is the perfect vessel for this kind of creeping unease. Her linework captures the texture of the forest in a way that feels tangible and oppressive, making every shadow feel like it has weight. Tone Rodriguez and Brad Simpson’s color work further enhances the mood, using darkness not just as a background, but as a character in its own right. The visual storytelling here is subtle, relying on atmosphere and expression to convey the depth of Elsie’s fear and resolve.

If you enjoy stories that balance character-driven emotion with supernatural tension, Feral is a standout in the Image lineup. It proves that horror doesn’t need constant gore to be effective; sometimes, the fear of the unknown and the weight of isolation is enough to keep you turning pages. Fleecs and Forstner have built a world that feels lived-in and dangerous, and this new arc invites you to see exactly why that world resonates so deeply.

For those who haven’t started yet, this is a gentle but firm invitation. The new story arc is designed to welcome you in without requiring a deep knowledge of prior events, though the existing continuity adds layers of richness if you do. Keep an eye on the Justasuta cover as well; it captures the eerie isolation of Elsie’s situation perfectly. These issues tend to move quickly, so if you want to dive in, the shelf won’t hold them forever.