Rafael Garcia: Henchman #1 Review – The Funniest Supervillain Workplace Comic You Need on Your Pull List

There are comics that kick the door in with world-ending stakes, brooding speeches, and enough grim face energy to make a brick nervous. Then there’s Rafael Garcia: Henchman #1, a book smart enough to slide in from the side, crack a sly grin, and remind us that sometimes the funniest, freshest angle in comics is not the hero, not the villain, but the poor sap in the middle just trying to keep his job. This debut issue is written by Peter Murrieta and David Schrader, with art by Ben Herrera, a main cover by Kit Wallis, variant covers by Orlando Arocena, Dan Mendoza, and Kit Wallis.

And that setup? Oh, it’s tasty. Rafael works for Maverick Inc., pulling guard duty with the rest of the hench crew while a shipment is being secured. During the shift, he and his co-worker Kyle talk about their retiring squad leader Danny, speculate on what kind of dangerous nonsense is in the shipment, and toss around the idea that Rafael should apply for the open leadership slot. Then, because this comic knows exactly when to step on the gas, an explosion blows up the calm and sends the story moving.

What makes this issue pop is that it does not play the henchman joke as a one-note gag. Nah. This book actually respects the bit. It digs into the weird dignity of being one of the faceless grunts in a superhuman world. After the chaos, Rafael, Kyle, and Danny meet up for coffee as the only survivors from the job, and suddenly the comic opens up into something richer: workplace frustration, identity, class, respect, burnout, and the absurd reality of having a job title that basically screams, “Yeah, my dental plan is probably cursed.” The issue even slips in the detail that Rafael’s ex, Lita, left him two years ago, which adds a little emotional seasoning to the whole thing.

Now let’s talk tone, because this is where the book earns its stripes. The comedic timing here is slick. Not loud. Not desperate. Slick. The coffee shop scene has that awkward, beautifully human rhythm where every pause does work. The reveal that these guys have been casually using their real names in a job where secret identities actually matter is the kind of joke that lands because it comes from character, not clowning. Then the interview scene turns Rafael into a lovable mess sweaty, nervous, awkward, trying to hold it together while still somehow showing enough heart and weird charisma to actually pull the job off. And when a comic can make an interview funny, tense, and charming at the same time? That’s craft, baby.

Rafael himself is the engine. At first glance, he comes off like a goofball dancing on guard duty, talking loose, not exactly built like the poster child for ruthless efficiency. But the issue smartly shows that he’s observant, intuitive, and able to shift gears when needed. He notices details. He reads situations. He can joke around one minute and get just intimidating enough the next. That balance makes him instantly rootable. He’s not a cool-guy cliché. He’s better than that. He feels like a real dude trying to level up in a ridiculous world that might blow him up before lunch. WEPA.

Visually, Ben Herrera gives this whole setup extra juice. The character designs help everybody stand apart, which is huge in a book like this. Rafael, Kyle, and Danny all have distinct body language and vibe. Kyle looks like the kind of man who apologizes to the cashier after they get his order wrong. Danny carries that former-squad-leader danger. Rafael sits in that sweet spot between approachable and unpredictable. That visual storytelling matters, because it sells both the comedy and the credibility of the world.

And let’s not ignore the bigger hook hiding under the laughs: this world has legs. The issue hints at radioactive lava, heat vision, dangerous shipments, fake names, and all the invisible labor that keeps a super-powered chaos economy running. That’s a killer premise. The book doesn’t drown itself in lore, which is the right move for issue one, but it leaves enough dangling threads to make you want to come back. On top of that, the ending swings us over to a local dispensary where Rafael runs into Lita, who makes it crystal clear she is still mad. That final beat gives the comic another lane beyond workplace comedy it opens the door to messy personal fallout, and that’s always good sauce.

At the end of the day, Rafael Garcia: Henchman #1 works because it knows exactly what kind of comic it wants to be. It’s funny without being fluffy. It’s weird without trying too hard. It’s charming without getting soft. Most importantly, it takes a background-player concept and makes it feel like the start of something genuinely worth following. This is the kind of comic that sneaks up on readers and wins them over with personality. Not bad for a guy whose job probably doesn’t come with proper health insurance.

SCORE:
4/5

Rafael Garcia: Henchman #1 is a sharp, funny, and wildly likable debut that gives readers a fresh look at life on the wrong side of the superhero food chain. If you like comics with character-driven humor, smart timing, and a lead you can actually root for, this one deserves a spot on your radar. This henchman is not background noise. He’s the whole show.

Writers: Peter Murrieta, David Schrader
Artist: Ben Herrera
Main Cover: Kit Wallis
Variant Covers: Orlando Arocena, Dan Mendoza, Kit Wallis
Publisher: Titan Comics

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!

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