Vicarious

by Ryan Parrott, Eleonora Carlini (illustrator)

In this near-future sci-fi thriller, young, ambitious people called "Proxies" have undergone an experimental surgery that allows others the ability to vicariously experience their to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel everything that they do.

LIVE (SOMEONE ELSE'S) LIFE TO THE FULLEST

Imagine a life of limitless wealth and luxury, lust and desire, danger and excitement... and all it will cost is letting someone live it for you.

Welcome to the hidden world of Proxies–young, ambitious hustlers who have undergone an experimental new medical procedure that allows people the ability to vicariously experience their to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel everything that they do. Selling this access to the rich, these Proxies are willing to give up their privacy, their very identity, trading it all for a taste of money and power.

In this seductive world of hedonistic pleasure, Justin Bright, a promising new Proxy with a mysterious past, will learn that all joys have their costs, and the dangerous games people play may have deadly consequences...

New York Times best-selling writer Ryan Parrott (The Infernals, Rogue Sun) debuts his first original comic, alongside acclaimed artist Eleonora Carlini (Marauders, Radiant Black), for a cutting-edge sci-fi thriller!

Collects Vicarious #1-5.

Genres: Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up because I loved the art so much - such a feast for the eyes. Otherwise loved the concept but unfortunately never felt that it was fully realised, and most of the characters were pretty one-note.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I was reading this, I kept thinking a twist was looming that would make me like Justin more and root for his efforts as things progressed but alas…he just seems like a bad guy in a world of pretty bad people. That so much hinged ultimately on his father and Mrs X, characters that are barely developed in the narrative, just weakens the overall arc for me. The art was fine — the psychedelic scenes at the end were interesting if narratively vacuous — I wasn’t really sure why we’d be seeing any of what Justin was seeing (or why he’d be seeing it to begin with). Definitely not upset I read this on a whim, but wouldn’t be in a rush to recommend it out with any sort of great fervency.

[Cy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great art, but story and characters were pretty paint by numbers and I don’t think the main concept was fully utilised. You could easily have substituted proxying for other high risk, illegal jobs and it wouldn’t have impacted the story.

[Kam Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

super cool concept and i loved the art. i will say the main character makes me think “cool motive, still murder” and no one really acknowledges it?

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this out because of the gorgeous cover art. In a near-future world, influencers are now proxies—illegal implants allow voyeurs to be a sidecar in their brain. Justin becomes a proxy, but then there are crosses, double-crosses and twists and turns in this sordid underground.

[James Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big fan of Parrott's work on Power Rangers and was excited to check this out! Brilliant concept and interesting characters, it did not disappoint. I think he did a great job creating a full story arc and delving deeply into the world. Highly recommend.

[Tor · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the art work in this and thought the story was really interesting

[Anastasia MacKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Aaron A · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a fun and interesting world. thought the ending could have been better but enjoyed the entirety of this novel!