Charisma

Told through multiple perspectives, Charisma centers on Archer Rogue, a young man shaped by a deeply dysfunctional family. His father, Ed, suffers from bipolar disorder stemming from childhood physical abuse, oscillating unpredictably between violent outbursts—beating Archer under the guise of discipline—and regressing into a helpless, childlike state where he cannot even feed himself. Raised in this volatile environment alongside his older half-brother Murphy, who has an intellectual disability, Archer grows into a closed-off and violent individual. Operating under the street name El Gato, Archer partners with Deano to infiltrate a drug cartel harboring a long-standing grudge against their gang. During the operation, he crosses paths with Ken, unaware that Ken is simultaneously conducting an undercover infiltration for the police. The narrative thrives on relentless tension, weaving conflicts between rival factions, within alliances, and even among seemingly random strangers. The first volume presents its story arcs in publication order rather than chronologically. It opens with Archer’s release from prison after serving time for shooting his own father, before shifting back in time to follow fifteen-year-old Archer as the origins of his turbulent life unfold.