Calavera P.I.

   

Written and Illustrated by Marco Finnegan
Calavera P.I.
(Oni Press, September 2025)

Get an exclusive look inside the new issue
Read the AIPT review of Calavera P.I.
Read an interview with Marco Finnegan in Daily Dead

 

In 1925, Juan Calavera died a hero. After a career spent outside the law defending the Chicano barrios where the police refused to operate, he earned a reputation for fearlessness . . . and a gunshot in the stomach. Now, five years later, on DĂ­a de los Muertos, his restless spirit has been summoned from the grave to help a desperate former colleague unravel a kidnapping all too close to home. With only days to solve the case before he is called back to the underworld, can Calavera reveal the identity of the masked human trafficker known as La Fantasma before tragedy strikes again . . . and solve the mystery of his own murder in the process?

From the desk of rising star Marco Finnegan (Morning Star, Night People), walk the shadow-shrouded alleys of Hollywoodland to solve the mystery of Calavera—a newly resurrected private investigator whose first case is about to straddle the blood-soaked boundaries between the living and the dead!

 

Praise for Calavera, P.I.

“Calavera, P.I. goes off like a pistol blasting in a dark room. Darkest noir delivered in dynamic images and hard-boiled scenes that are also a work of witness.” — Luis Alberto Urrea, Edgar Award-winning writer

“An audacious Mexican crime noir that pushes limits and doesn’t hold back . . . Marco Finnegan is at the right place and time.”
—Comics Grinder

“Walking in the tradition of Toth and Mignola, Marco Finnigan’s art cuts right to the point of clarity. Calavera, P.I. is a dark journey of bold choices you should check out.” — Michael Avon Oeming, co-creator of Powers

“All the sins come due in the gripping supernatural noir of Calavera, P.I.”  — Gary Phillips, author of Ash Dark as Night

“Marco Finnegan’s Calavera, P.I. is a gorgeous pulp showcase that reflects the dark noir worlds Finnegan clearly adores. A real feast for the eyes!”  —Joanne Starer, author of Fire & Ice and Sires of the City

Marco and the folks at @OniPress have a real winner on their hands. A sumptuously illustrated look at 1920s Hollywood through a Mexican lens. Can’t wait to read more.”— Jay Faerber, author of Copperhead and Near Death

“Expect the unexpected! Both hard-nosed pulp detective noir and surreal supernatural thriller, Calavera, P.I. kept me on the edge of my seat with every page turn.” — Khary Randolph, artist of Sirens of the City and Robin

“Finnegan’s Calavera, P.I. is the Chicano pulp comic I never knew I needed. Set in the gritty world of 1920s Los Angeles, Finnegan’s stunning illustrations and vivid characters reveal an LA where Chicanos inhabit the noir landscape, where a resurrected detective slogs through corruption and violence to become a hero.”— Matt Mendez, author of The Broke Hearts and Barely Missing Everything

“There is nothing more entertaining than a good twist and Calavera, P.I. by Marco Finnegan delivers with reckless abandon. Every time you think you know where this story is going you’re dead wrong, and you won’t be happier.”— Eric Gapstur, artist of Sort of Super

“Calavera, P.I. doesn’t just give us a chilling story with a mysterious anti-hero, it’s classic noir set amongst Chicano culture of Los Angeles in the 1920’s. I can’t wait to read more.”  — Terry Blas, authot of Reptil and Runaways

“Marco is “killing” it yet again with this book, not only with an amazing story, but with art that really encapsulates the feeling of an old crime pulp novels. Calavera, P.I. brings a much needed Mexican lens to the noir genre!” — Jacoby Salcedo, artist of Blue Beetle

“In the tradition of The Spirit and Zorro, Calavera, P.I. is a pulp-y fast paced blast from panel one, and does not let up on the gas the whole time! This book drops you right into the action and trusts you to keep up as fists and bullets fly. And just when you settle into the rhythm of the story, thinking you know the genre and what to expect, it throws you a curveball that will leave you needing to know more!” — Vita Ayala, author of New Mutants, The Wilds, and Submerged

“Calavera, P.I. is a grand mixture of the noir detective, folk horror, social commentary and pulp adventure. Marco Finnegan, again, shows us why he’s one of the best in the business. You’ll instantly fall in love with this genre-bending delight.” — John Jennings

“Marco Finnegan has crafted a heart-wrenching and powerful Latinx noir that’s pulsing with supernatural elements. It’s unlike anything I’ve read in a long time.” — Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret Identity and Alter Ego

“Calavera, P.I. combines representation with homage, offering a fresh take on the noir genre.”
—Lotusland Comics

“Expect the unexpected! Both hard-nosed pulp detective noir and surreal supernatural thriller, Calavera, P.I. kept me on the edge of my seat with every page turn.”
—Khary Randolph, artist for Sirens of the City and Robin

 

Marco Finnegan lives in Temecula, California with his family. Finnegan’s previous books include THE KEEPER with writers Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes  (Abrams/Megascope 2022), LIZARD IN A ZOOT SUIT (Lerner/Graphic Universe 2020), WHERE WE LIVE (Image Comics, 2019), CROSSROAD BLUES  (Image Comics, 2018), and  LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN (12 Guage Comics, 2018) both with Ace Atkins.