Written by Dino Caruso, Underpinnings opens with Drummond Weaver, a young man who has just earned his Bachelor of Social Work degree and immediately runs into the most terrifying villain of adulthood: “Okay… now what?” No cape. No secret origin. Just a diploma, uncertainty, and that soul-punching feeling of entering the real world with more questions than answers. WEPA, that’s relatable.
The story quickly places Drummond in the orbit of Community House, a nonprofit support environment where the work is less about big dramatic speeches and more about showing up, listening, helping, and learning that people are complicated in all the ways that matter. This is where the comic really finds its heartbeat. It is not trying to glamorize social work. It is not trying to make community care look easy. It shows the awkwardness, the tension, the humor, the patience, and the emotional labor that comes with supporting people who are dealing with life on their own terms. And that is the magic sauce here.
Drummond is not presented as some perfect savior walking into a room to fix everybody’s problems. Thank goodness, because nobody needs that cheesy TV-movie energy. He’s new. He’s unsure. He’s learning. He says the wrong thing, watches carefully, takes things in, and slowly begins to understand that this work requires more than education. It requires presence. It requires humility. It requires the ability to sit with discomfort without running out the door like your Uber is waiting.
The supporting cast brings the world to life. Renata gives the story structure and grounded authority, acting as the person who understands the rhythm of the place. Gloria immediately adds spark, unpredictability, and emotional texture. Felix brings warmth and personality, while the scenes involving residents and family members create that lived-in feeling where every character seems to carry a whole life beyond the panel.
Visually, Underpinnings works with a clean black-and-white/graytone style that fits the material beautifully. The art does not overcook the drama. Instead, it lets faces, body language, rooms, offices, posters, messy desks, and quiet pauses do the heavy lifting. The environments feel ordinary in the best way possible. Community spaces, job boards, group rooms, bedrooms, and hallways become part of the storytelling. This is not visual noise. This is human detail.
The lettering by Shawn Daley keeps the conversations moving naturally, which is important because this book lives and breathes through dialogue. A story like this can fall apart fast if the pacing feels stiff, but the page flow keeps things readable and grounded. The emotional beats land because the book allows room for silence, glances, interruptions, and those little human moments that make scenes feel authentic.
The biggest strength of Underpinnings is that it understands compassion is not always soft and shiny. Sometimes compassion is awkward. Sometimes it is frustrating. Sometimes it means letting someone speak when everyone else wants to interrupt, correct, or control the moment. This comic understands that helping people is not about being the hero of their story. It is about respecting that they already have one.
Now, is this a high-octane blockbuster comic? No. And it is not trying to be. This is a character-driven, slice-of-life, socially conscious comic with heart. Readers looking for massive action may need to adjust their expectations, but readers who appreciate grounded storytelling, community-based drama, and comics that actually care about people will find a lot to connect with here.
Underpinnings is thoughtful, sincere, and quietly powerful. It has that indie comic spirit where you can feel the creator trying to say something real. It reminds us that sometimes the strongest stories are not about saving the world. Sometimes they are about showing up at a community house, making coffee, listening to someone’s pain, and realizing that every person in the room has a universe inside them. That right there? That’s storytelling with soul.
Underpinnings is a heartfelt, grounded comic that shines through honesty, humanity, and strong character work. It is not loud, but it speaks clearly. It is not flashy, but it has purpose. A meaningful read for fans of slice-of-life comics, social realism, and stories that put compassion at the center without turning it into a Hallmark cheese platter.
Crusaders Score:
4/5
Writer: Dino Caruso
Chapter One Artist: Cecilia Latella
Chapter Two Artist: Joseph Velasquez
Chapter Three Artist: Lucas Benendic
Chapter Four Artist: Andre Bellusci
Graytones: Paul Little
Cover & Lettering: Shawn Daley
Publisher: Inservice Comics
Author Profile
- 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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