Since that day, Melba has spent seven years in a mental health facility. Tomorrow is her eighteenth birthday. Tomorrow, she’ll be transferred to a federal prison. Tomorrow, her real sentence will begin.

That is, until she receives a visit from FBI Agent Virgil Crockett. Crockett explains that there is another world beyond ours, where hungry spectral aliens stalk the minds of the impressionable and weak. These things, called IMPs (Interdimensional Mental Parasites) feed on compliance. They convince hosts to do things for them, and the more they feed, the stronger they become. More IMPs stream into the world each day, invisible to everyone but his or her hosts.

After years of drugs and counseling, Polly and Melba have developed a unique relationship—and to Crockett, this relationship represents something her people can work with. In exchange for release from prison, Crockett asks Melba (and Polly) to serve as IMP hunters. For Melba, it’s a chance to prove that she’s innocent, convinced to murder by a monster…a monster she must now unleash.

Writer Tim Seeley creates a paranormal tale with Imaginary Fiends, filled with mystery, interdimensional beings, and murder. Along with the rather creepy beings, we’re also treated to disturbing nursery style rhymes in the process. Seeley does an excellent job of creating the setting and setting up the story to come with its focus on Melba and her situation in a mental hospital until she’s paid a visit and given an offer she can’t refuse.

The art by Stephen Molnar shifts as the settings shift, and things in Melba’s live go from innocence to incarceration. Molnar brings in a lighter, and brighter color scheme in Melba’s youth which contrasts with various shades of grey as she lives in the mental health facility. This shifts again as she moves into her new role. The art sets up the Melba’s mood in a way.

The first issue delivers an interesting set up that mixes together horror with a more traditional detective setting.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Stephen Molnar Cover: Richard Pace
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review