Royals #1, released in April 2026, is a high-octane “telepathic-buddy-comedy-crime-caper” that marks a stunning debut for artist Jacob Perez alongside the seasoned storytelling of Derek Kirk Kim. Described as a love letter to classics like Baby Driver, Rounders, and the action-packed films of Jackie Chan, the comic sets its stage in the rain-slicked, neon-drenched streets of Seoul, South Korea. The story follows twin brothers, Paul and Castor Wahng, who possess a unique supernatural edge: an uncanny telepathic connection that they’ve turned into the ultimate poker hustle.
The Arrival: Rain, Broth, and Brotherhood (Pages 3–5)
The story opens in the heart of Seoul, where the atmosphere is thick with rain and the glow of countless signs. We are immediately introduced to the central dynamic between the brothers. Castor, dressed in a sharp suit, is relishing the local street food, marveling at how much better everything tastes in the “motherland”. He jokingly suggests that the ajumas (middle-aged women) must be putting something illegal into the broth because it’s so addictive.
In contrast, Paul, wearing a more casual hoodie and glasses, is a ball of nerves. While Castor is soaking in the “Han” (a complex Korean emotion of grief/resentment/longing) pounding in his chest, Paul is focused on the reality of their situation. They are broke. Paul reminds Castor that they wouldn’t even be in Seoul if Castor hadn’t blown all their money previously. Now, they are down to their very last chips, and Paul is desperate for Castor not to “fuck this up”. Even as Paul tries to stress the importance of their upcoming “pregame interview,” Castor remains characteristically distracted, finding humor in the fact that local tissue packets have advertisements on them.
The Facade of Faith: Father Park and the “Church” (Pages 6–10)
As they make their way to the Thunder Cove Casino, the brothers run into a familiar face: a priest named Father Park whom they had sat next to on their flight to Korea. They encounter him outside what appears to be his “church,” the Hammer of Sephoris. The interaction is layered with irony. Paul, who seems more grounded but perhaps more susceptible to guilt, is polite and surprised by the “small world” coincidence. Castor, ever the skeptic and opportunist, is less impressed, even asking Paul if he remembered to pack condoms while Paul is trying to have a respectful moment with the priest.
The brothers’ disparate personalities are on full display here. Paul (whose full name is revealed to be Pollux, a nod to Greek mythology) is the “responsible” twin who feels the weight of their lifestyle. He expresses to Father Park that he’s been having trouble sleeping, troubled by the constant fighting with his brother. Paul admits he feels like Castor might be the death of him one day. Father Park offers a somber perspective, sharing that he lost his own brother in his twenties to a car accident, and that in his dreams, his brother remains a child. He urges Paul to value the fact that he can still talk to his brother in real life.
The Tournament: High Stakes and Mob Rumors (Pages 11–15)
The setting shifts to the interior of the Thunder Cove Casino for the 12th Annual Easter Week Poker Tournament. This isn’t a small-time game; the buy-in is 23 million won (roughly $20,000 USD), with a grand prize of 120 million won ($100,000 USD). The stakes are personal as well, as the players are using their own money rather than relying on sponsors.
The tournament commentators highlight Castor Wahng as one of the hottest rising stars in poker. A former MMA fighter from Los Angeles, Castor has been undefeated in his first five televised tournaments. However, the favorite to win is Daeshim Kang, a formidable local figure. As the game progresses, dark rumors circulate about Kang. It is whispered that he doesn’t just frequent the casino—he runs it. More disturbingly, he is rumored to lead a ruthless criminal syndicate known as “The Bloody Cocks,” which allegedly operates a secret cockfighting ring in the bowels of the casino. The commentators warn that $100,000 isn’t worth “getting your face rearranged over” by Kang’s mob.
The Hustle: Telepathy in the Dark (Pages 16–30)
The brothers’ strategy is a masterclass in technological and supernatural cheating. Paul sits at a bar elsewhere in the casino, watching the live broadcast of the tournament on a tablet or TV. Because the broadcast shows the players’ cards to the home audience, Paul can see exactly what everyone is holding. He then telepathically communicates this information to Castor at the table.
They play it smart, intentionally losing some hands to avoid suspicion. Castor goads his opponents, at one point making Daeshim Kang fish a discarded chip out of a “garbage clap can”. Tension reaches a breaking point during a massive hand between Castor and Kang. Castor holds pocket Queens, giving him a massive statistical advantage, but the situation turns dire when a sudden power outage hits the casino.
Paul loses his connection to the stream. He is blinded, unable to see the cards or the action. He panics, frantically searching for another bar with power, screaming telepathically at Castor to “just keep folding” or stall until he can find a working TV. But Castor, fueled by adrenaline and perhaps a touch of arrogance, refuses to wait. Despite having “already sunk so much into the pot,” he decides to go all-in blindly. Paul is distraught, begging his brother not to call, fearing they are about to lose everything they have left.
Victory and Volatility (Pages 31–35)
The power returns just in time for the reveal. Against all odds, Castor wins the hand with a full house on the river, beating Daeshim Kang’s flush. The brothers have won the $100,000 grand prize. While Castor celebrates with a “Gangnam Style” shout, Paul is furious. He confronts Castor, pointing out that they only won because they got lucky, not because of their system. He is terrified by Castor’s willingness to gamble their entire future on a whim when Paul wasn’t there to guide him.
Castor brushes off the concern, claiming that “luck is for people who aren’t telepathically connected”. Despite the tension, Castor shows a rare moment of sibling affection. He presents Paul with a gift: an engraved cigarette case featuring cranes. He explains that the cranes made him think of them as brothers. Paul, however, remains troubled. He suggests that they should “go straight” before their scams catch up with them, wondering if there is more to life than their constant grift. Castor is dismissive, asking if Paul would rather go back to washing dishes for $9 an hour or selling crack.
A Somber Nightcap: The Mystery Woman (Pages 36–42)
The issue concludes with the brothers parting ways for the night. While Paul goes for a walk to clear his head, Castor remains at a hotel bar. There, he meets a mysterious and cynical woman named Jiyun. Their conversation is dark and philosophical. They discuss a news report about a man found rotting in a dumpster, which leads them to contemplate their own deaths.
Jiyun expresses a bleak worldview, saying “life is just a big shit sandwich… with vomit on the side,” and wishing a comet would just wipe everything out. Castor tries to lighten the mood with a “cheery” prediction of his own death involving piranhas. Jiyun, who reveals she has studied palm reading, examines Castor’s hand. She notes that his “life line is chaotic” and mentions that he has a “cancer” in his life—something or someone keeping him from happiness.
Castor, appearing vulnerable for the first time, doesn’t deny it but remains guarded. Despite the heavy subject matter, there is a connection between them. Castor convinces her to leave her “wallowing” behind and join him for Pho, promising they can be “miserable together”. As they agree to the meal, the issue ends with a looming “TO BE CONTINUED…”.
