Fangs, a graphic novel by Sarah Andersen, is a dark yet humorous love story between a vampire and a werewolf. Set in a world with the dry, mockumentary-style wit of What We Do in the Shadows, Fangs is a gothic rom-com that follows an unlikely couple as they navigate the quirks of their supernatural relationship.
Behind the Pen: Sarah Andersen
Andersen is a celebrated cartoonist and illustrator known for a style that is both charming and macabre. Before she was exploring the undead, she gained massive internet fame for Sarah’s Scribbles, an award-winning webcomic series that began in 2011.
While Scribbles focused on the relatable anxieties of modern adulthood, Fangs allowed Andersen to pivot into a more sophisticated, atmospheric aesthetic. The series originally debuted as a viral webcomic on the Tapas platform in 2019 before being published as a hardcover book in 2020. Since then, it has become a New York Times Bestseller and was nominated for an Eisner Award, one of the highest honors in the comic industry.
A Romance with Bite
In Fangs, Andersen offers readers a glimpse into the everyday lives of Elsie, a 300-year-old vampire who has never met her match, and Jimmy, a werewolf who loves a good pun and running wild during the full moon. The story doesn’t rely on high-stakes drama; instead, it explores the quiet challenges and joys of their relationship with wit, warmth, and a touch of absurdity.
The humor stems from how they adapt to each other’s “monstrous” traits. For example, in one scene, Elsie and Jimmy are on a date at a restaurant. Jimmy orders his steak extra rare. When the waiter asks if they have any questions, Elsie deadpans, “Is there any garlic in the food?”
Visual Storytelling
Unlike the chaotic, “doodle” energy of her previous work, Fangs features a refined, minimalist art style. The panels are often monochromatic, emphasizing the “goth” aesthetic while keeping the focus on the characters’ expressive body language.
The physical edition of the book is even a nod to the genre itself—designed to look like a vintage gothic novel with a red cloth cover, engraved black lettering, and black-tinted page edges.
Why You Should Read It
Fangs is a delightful and heartwarming graphic novel that is sure to appeal to fans of dark comedy, romance, and all things supernatural. It reminds us that no matter how “weird” we think we are, there is always someone whose brand of weirdness matches our own perfectly.
