Code Pru #1–2 (2015–2016)
Genre
🩸 Horror | 🧟♀️ Supernatural | 😂 Black Comedy | 🚑 Urban Fantasy
Code Pru merges the grim world of emergency medical response with a darkly comedic supernatural twist. It’s a satirical horror that explores everyday heroism in a city teeming with the undead, the occult, and everything in between.
Main Characters
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Prudence “Pru” Slade – A determined, idealistic rookie EMT with dreams of serving the FDNY. Thrust into a hidden world of monsters, her naivety is quickly tested in the field.
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Mike – Pru's deadpan, seen-it-all partner who introduces her to the terrifying reality of supernatural emergency response.
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The Captain – Mysterious head of the special unit, withholding secrets that could change how Pru sees her role forever.
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Various Creatures of the Night – Vampires, ghouls, zombies, and other mythological beings, treated as just another 911 call.
Writer
✍️ Garth Ennis
Known for his biting satire and no-holds-barred storytelling (The Boys, Preacher), Ennis applies his signature irreverence to the horror genre, creating a world that’s both hilarious and horrifying.
Artist
🎨 Raulo Caceres
Caceres' black-and-white illustrations bring gritty detail and gothic beauty to every panel. His meticulous linework captures both the grotesque and the mundane, offering a striking visual contrast to the story’s dark humor.
Editor Details
🖋️ Editor-in-Chief: William Christensen
Christensen, known for overseeing boundary-pushing horror titles at Avatar Press, ensures Code Pru keeps its edge while balancing humor and horror.
Publisher and Brand
🏢 Avatar Press
Code Pru was released under the Avatar Press imprint, a publisher well-known for mature, provocative comics that challenge norms and deliver unfiltered storytelling.
Release Year
📅 2015 – 2016
The two-issue limited series debuted in late 2015 and concluded in early 2016, later continuing in anthology form.
Brief Plot Summary
Pru Slade just wanted to save lives. Fresh out of EMT training and eager to serve the public, she’s assigned to a “special” paramedic unit. Only after her first call does she discover the horrifying truth: her team caters to the hidden population of monsters living within New York City. From vampiric overdoses to zombie bites and demonic outbursts, she’s thrown headfirst into the deep end—with no preparation and only her skeptical partner to guide her. As her night shift unfolds, Pru must come to terms with the reality that some patients don’t just bleed... they bite. 🧛♂️🩸
Notable Arcs or Storylines
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"First Night on the Job" – Pru's harrowing introduction to the supernatural underbelly of NYC. She learns there are no training manuals when treating the undead.
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"Baptism by Fire... and Fangs" – A rescue mission involving a vampire clan quickly spirals into a deadly encounter, testing Pru’s instincts and her sense of morality.
Fan Theories or Interpretations
🔮 Some fans speculate that Pru’s assignment isn’t accidental, but part of a larger scheme tied to her mysterious family background hinted at in issue #2.
💉 Another interpretation suggests the comic is a metaphor for the psychological trauma of first responders—masking real-life horrors in literal monsters.
Review Summary
Code Pru is a refreshingly original blend of horror and satire. Garth Ennis’ writing strikes a balance between absurd comedy and sincere emotional weight, especially through Pru’s character development. Raulo Caceres’ detailed black-and-white art amplifies the eerie, nightmarish tone while keeping the reader grounded in the mundane chaos of urban emergency work.
👍 Strengths: Unique premise, witty dialogue, expressive art
👎 Minor Drawbacks: Limited issues leave you craving more world-building
A must-read for horror comic lovers who enjoy their frights with a side of dark humor.
🧟♂️🔥🚑 4.5/5 stars
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
