Vault Comics And Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz’s Announce ‘Dying Inside’ Graphic Novel

Vault Comics has announced the first graphic novel from the Headshell imprint, Dying Inside, by Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, Hannah Klein (Everything’s Fine), and Lisa Sterle (The Modern Witch Tarot, Witchblood) as well as offering a 10% discount only available for the first 24 hours starting today, May 1, 2024, with the first 10 customers receiving a free set of custom Skullcandy headphones and the first 100 customers receiving a free gift or upgrade.

We only have a cover to show you, but you can catch a preview this coming Free Comic Book Day, Saturday 4th May, ahead of its release this September.

Pete Wentz said:

“So psyched to be releasing Dying Inside. Hannah is one of my favorite contemporary writers, kind of if Larry David and Elliott Smith had a kid, and Lisa‘s an excellent addition to help bring this to life with her artistry. Can’t wait for it to be out in the world.” 

Co-writer Hannah Klein alo stated:

“When the idea sparked for Dying Inside, I had no idea what form it would end up taking. The fact that it started my foray into the world of graphic novels is one of the most exciting and surprising series of events and I’m so incredibly grateful. I’ve been working with Pete on various creative endeavors throughout the years, and I feel like our separate styles and shared vision really came through on this project especially with the absolutely singular and incredible art by Lisa Sterle, and the steady and supportive hand of Vault to guide the way. I feel so lucky that our vision was met with open arms and a million “yesses” to create the exact project we were hoping to achieve.”

As for the plotline., well as you’d expect, it is rather emo:

“Today is Ash’s big finale. And by finale, she means exiting the stage permanently. Ash is a sixteen-year-old girl with more angst than Ian Curtis and Elliott Smith combined (her two idols). She’s apathetic and therefore believes death is the easiest route to relief. But nothing is more embarrassing than a lame death. Unfortunately, her meticulous plans are all ruined when the beautiful knife she buys off a webstore turns out to be charmed with a protection spell. Now, Ash has to track down the witch who transformed her clocking out attempt into the worst gift imaginable: immortality. Turns out, the witch responsible is another sixteen-year-old-girl named (get this) Liv. The two vow to undo the charm together and fight for Ash’s death…even as things get increasingly entangled with a strange new antidepressant called Somnia and her mom’s gross boyfriend, Greg.”

As well as the grphic novel, musician Daisy Grenade has recorded original music that’s played at the concert our main characters attend in the book to give it an even kore immersive experience, as well as original lyrics and poetry from Wentz, with a playlist available now on Spotify.

Further tie-in merch includes Dying Inside Skullcandy headphones, t-shirts, hoodies, beanies, canvas tote bags, enameled pins, stickers, and more. Plus, the graphic novel comes with three alternate colourway editions with cover art by Lisa Sterle, including glitter, glow-in-the-dark, and “dark mode” covers, as well as collector’s editions with variant coverwrap art.

The PR does go on, and on, and on – with even more hype from one and all – but I imagine you have enough of a take-away from this to make up your own mind.

All you now need to know is that this book does include discussion of suicide and depiction of self-harm so the content may be triggering.

If you are struggling, the US suicide and crisis lifeline is 988. In the UK, you may want to contact the Samaritans on 116 123.