Feral #5 Review

If you like your comics dark, sexy, and dripping with gothic atmosphere, then Feral #5 is a must-check-out horror zine that scratches a very specific, very delicious itch. Published by the Berlin-based Chapter-X Comics, Feral is a semi-annual anthology filled with vampire witches, erotic demons, bloody revenge plots, and a healthy dose of underground music scene flair. It’s part comic, part art book, and part DIY punk ’zine—think Heavy Metal meets Vampirella with a dash of Berlin nightlife.

What’s Inside?

The issue kicks off with a heartfelt note honoring Amanda “Feral Vice” Nielsen, the namesake and spirit of the magazine, who passed away in 2024. In her memory, Feral is once again publishing English editions—a touching tribute, and a great excuse for new readers to jump in.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s inside this beast of a 48-page issue:

Comics & Stories

• Phantasmagoria: Dreams in the Witch House and Diabolique by Oemer Yalinkilic are the spine of the issue—a surreal, Euro-horror-inspired vampire saga featuring sexy half-undead heroines, blood cults, and secret witch houses in modern-day Europe. It reads like a fever dream, part Lovecraft, part Jess Franco, and all gorgeous black-and-white pulp.
• Bloody Hitch-Hiking by Christoff RDGZ and Hernán González is a brutal, grindhouse-style one-shot about a femme fatale who turns the tables on a would-be predator. Think Death Proof with a supernatural twist.
• Bloodlust by Ester Cardella is an erotic-vampiric tale that leans hard into the sensual side of horror. It’s sultry, violent, and beautifully drawn, with strong echoes of Druuna and Valentina.
• No Monster Under the Bed is a short illustrated nightmare from M.W. Ludwig and Detlef Klewer that ends the issue with an eerie bedtime vibe.

Interviews & Features

A standout feature is the full-length interview with erotic horror artist Ester Cardella, who shares her thoughts on the line between erotica and porn, Italian comic culture, and her inspirations (think Manara, Crepax, and classical art). It’s a thoughtful and frank discussion that adds surprising depth to her provocative pages later in the issue.

Bonus Music Vibes

FERAL isn’t just a comic—it’s also a love letter to niche horror rock and retro vinyl culture. There’s a big spotlight on Feral Records’ latest 7” EP release, Black Cats, featuring underground artists like Leah Zador, Trixie Trainwreck, and Messer Chups. If you’re a fan of psychobilly, surf punk, or ghoulish garage rock, you’ll love the crossover energy here.

Art & Style

Visually, Feral oozes personality. Each story has its own look, but the black-and-white aesthetic, strong linework, and deliberately “retro-Eurotrash” vibe tie it all together. From lush gothic cathedrals to blood-drenched motel rooms, this issue swings between the beautiful and the grotesque with style.

Cardella’s pages in particular are jaw-dropping—equal parts sensual and sinister, with an eye for detail and drama. Hernán González also shines with his thick, gritty inks and dynamic paneling in Bloody Hitch-Hiking.

Should You Read It?

If you love:

• Vintage horror and exploitation films
• Erotic horror comics like Druuna, Valentina, or Vampirella
• Indie music with horror aesthetics
• Comics that feel raw, underground, and unfiltered

Feral #5 is a wickedly good time. It doesn’t pull punches—expect gore, nudity, and adult themes—but it handles its content with a kind of passion and purpose you rarely see in mainstream books. It’s a project made by horror fans, for horror fans.

Final Verdict:

4.5 out of 5 

FERAL #5 is like discovering an old VHS tape labeled “DO NOT WATCH” and loving every cursed second of it. It’s artsy, bloody, and unashamedly horny—a perfect storm of old-school horror cool. Definitely worth hunting down, especially if you’re into the weirder, sexier corners of comic book horror.