Created by Paul Tobin & Carlos Javier Olivares
String is a 2024 monthly comic about a twenty-something pink-haired Korean-American YOON-SOOK NAMGUNG who has a peculiar gift — she sees strings.
Twisty, turny strings that nobody else can see. Blue strings that stretch between sexual partners. Black strings that connect killers and their victims. A definite plus if you’re a detective — it sure eliminates all that time-consuming hunting for clues and all that wear-and-tear on those old gray cells.
Or even a lowly “civilian consultant,” hired by the Seattle police, working with latest partner, Detective Luke Mayfield. Seems Yoon’s abilities — and her impulsive, filter-free revelations — have unnerved previous partners. So far, however, Luke seems to be working out. Together they swap banter and work cold cases. And just to drive the fanboys nuts, Luke uses the pronouns “they” and “them.”
Yoon’s gift developed when she was fourteen, soon after her parents were murdered in a so-far-unsolved drive-by shooting. Unfortunately, the black strings from their graves were only visible for a few seconds.
Still, Yoon-Sook’s appears to have come to terms with everything. She comes off as a relatively well-adjusted, if slightly odd young woman, and appears pretty cool with her “ability thing.” She has a cat named “Turtle,” and beyond the strings, she puts great stock in her ability to judge people by how they eat pizza —which is convenient, because she seems to live on it. She’s on several dating apps, without much luck.
Yep, she’s got a decent job, a great apartment and everything seems pretty hunky dory.
Until, that is, she sees a black string that leads to… HER.
Is she about to be killed? Or is she about to kill someone?
I’m not sure, but so far, there’s a nice breezy tone to this goofy premise, a sort of supernatural/crime story mash-up, and the self-described “really weird woman” is fun to follow.
Unfortunately, there’s not much of a mystery to solve, and precious little detective work, really — more a mad dash on Yoon-Sook and Luke to follow those damn strings, with more energy devoted to Yoon-Sook’s status as a quirky, colorful character.
Still… it’s an intriguing idea, and Lord knows, Yoon-Sook’s “gift” doesn’t need to be explained any more than Poker Face‘s Charlie Cale‘s does.
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Paul Tobin is a writer in Portland, Oregon, whose work includes the critically acclaimed Witcher, the NYT best-selling Plants vs. Zombies graphic novels for kids, the Colder and Bunny Mask horror series, and the multiple Eisner-award-winning Bandette, which he works on with his wife, illustrator Colleen Coover.
Carlos Javier Olivares is a comic book artist from Spain who’s worked in Europe with the companies Camaleón, Planeta Agostini and Soleil, and in the Statesfor companies such as Marvel, Blizzard, Boom Studios, and Aftershock.
UNDER OATH
- “Paul Tobin’s script shines in its portrayal of the protagonist, Yoon-Sook, whose sharp wit and resilience make her an instantly relatable and compelling character. Her interactions with Detective Luke Mayfield, her assigned partner, form the emotional core of the issue. Their banter, filled with humor and awkward honesty, reveals layers of personality and establishes a partnership that feels both fresh and authentic… String #1 is a book that has to be read. With compelling narratives, beautiful visuals and challenging themes, String #1 comes through as a very distinctive release. We look forward to the rest of Yoon-Sook’s Saga in an epochal series.”
— ComicCrusaders - “Part of what makes this work from the start is the chemistry between Yoon and Detective Mayfield… a story that “strings” the reader along enough to want to learn more. Consider me tied up and captured. Ready for Issue #2.”
— GeekVibesNation
COMICS
- STRING | Kindle/ComiXology it!
(2024, Mad Cave Studios)
Written by Paul Tobin
Art by Carlos Javier Olivares, Sara Colella, Taylor Esposito
COLLECTIONS
- STRING| Buy this book | Kindle it
(2025, Mad Cave Studios)
Written by Paul Tobin
Art by Carlos Javier Olivares, Sara Colella, Taylor Esposito
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts
Things That Go Bump in the Night, and the Eyes Who Go After Them - An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down
Eyes of the Northwest
Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
