Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Overall Concept & Plot
Alter Ego by Symphonii Studios wastes no time pulling the reader into an intense psychological thriller. The story opens with a police investigation into a violent incident at Esther’s home, immediately setting a gripping, suspense-filled tone. What begins as a straightforward assault case rapidly deepens into a layered mystery told through interrogation sequences and unreliable memories.
Nufi, Esther’s boyfriend, struggles with memory loss after tumbling down the stairs. His recount of seeing a silent female figure holding a kitchen knife introduces a chilling sense of dread. The narrative cleverly weaves in Esther’s Autophobia (fear of being alone) and the existence of an unseen roommate, Amara, elements that hint at a much darker truth.
By the final pages, the comic pivots sharply, revealing a psychological twist that reframes everything you thought you understood. Alter Ego transforms from a procedural mystery into a tense character study about trauma, identity, and self-defense. The pacing is tight, and the cliffhanger is genuinely powerful.
Creative Team & Execution
The creative team delivers a focused, well-constructed thriller.
Script & Story: Emerenini Victor
Victor’s writing shines brightest in the interrogation room scenes. The dialogue is realistic, tense, and purposeful, every exchange builds either character or mystery. The way Esther’s trauma and the “alter ego” concept are slowly unveiled shows excellent narrative control.
Executive Direction, Elochukwu Confidence, Edited by Nkom Nufi
The polish is evident. The transitions between present events, memories, and psychological moments are seamless, giving the issue a professional finish.
Art
Art & Letters: Owoade Ifeoluwa
Cover Art: Owoade Ifeoluwa & Umoru Anthony
The artwork fits the psychological-thriller genre perfectly. Character expressions, especially Nufi’s fear and Esther’s emotional strain, feel authentic and intense. The panel flow is smooth, helping anchor readers during dialogue-heavy moments while punching hard during action beats.
The sudden burst of violence on Page 9 (“KRAK” / “SWISH”) hits with genuine force due to strong motion lines and sharp composition.
Colouring
The colouring leans into dark tones and heavy shadows, building an uneasy, claustrophobic atmosphere. The palette reinforces the comic’s core themes, mystery, fear, and instability, without overwhelming the line art.
Highlight Pages
1. Page 8
Nufi’s description of the eerie silhouette at the staircase is masterfully executed. The backward-held kitchen knife is a brilliant visual cue that instantly raises the stakes and confirms the threat.
2. Page 13
A complete turning point.
The confrontation between conflicting personas, one shouting “YOU ARE RUINING MY LIFE,” the other pleading through trauma, is explosive and emotional. This moment elevates the comic into deeper psychological territory and primes readers for a huge continuation.
Why You Should Read It
If you enjoy grounded crime stories infused with psychological tension, Alter Ego should be on your list. It blends police procedural storytelling with deep emotional conflict and a twist meaningful enough to reshape the entire narrative. You’ll finish Issue 1 eager, maybe even desperate, to see how the truth unfolds.
Continue Reading
Find more details and where to read click here.
IG/FB/X: @symphoniistudios