Dying Inside

A girl seeking death finds eternal life instead in this unexpectedly playful goth fantasy debut from Fall Out Boy bassist Wentz, with cowriter Klein and artist Sterle (The Modern Witch Tarot). Ash, a snarky teenage rock fan struggling with depression, attempts suicide in imitation of her favorite emo musician, but the knife with which she stabs herself turns out to be an enchanted artifact that renders her immortal. In her efforts to become mortal again, she tracks down Liv, the witch who sold her the blade, and the two head into an underworld of urban witchcraft. Their supernatural investigation uncovers evidence that Greg, a psychiatrist who’s dating Ash’s mom, may be experimenting with a risky, untested antidepressant. Meanwhile, Ash finds reasons to live after all. Ash’s relentless sassiness can be grating, but her sardonic reactions have their moments: “So all these spellbooks... Nobody thought to put this on a server yet?” Serle’s expressive art gives the characters life, and their world of New York City apartments, coffee shops, concert venues, and out-of-the-way magic shops feels lived-in. Emo fans should take note. (Sept.)