Explore the complexities of mental health, trauma, and the price of power in Side Effects. Written by the versatile Ted Anderson (Orphan Age, Adventure Time) and brought to life with the expressive, character-driven art of Tara O’Connor (Fly by Night), this AfterShock Comics trade paperback is a poignant and powerful entry into the "grounded superhero" genre.

This item is Brand New, making it an essential read for fans of psychological dramas, medical mysteries, and stories that use the extraordinary to examine the deeply human.

The True Cost of Equilibrium

• The Story: Hannah is a young woman struggling with debilitating anxiety and the pressures of university life. When she is prescribed a new, experimental medication, the side effects are unlike anything she expected: she begins to manifest incredible physical abilities. However, as her powers grow, so does the psychological toll, forcing Hannah to choose between the safety of her old life and the dangerous freedom of her new one.

• A Relatable Protagonist: Ted Anderson crafts a story that treats mental health with nuance and empathy, using the superhero framework as a metaphor for the struggle to find balance and self-acceptance.

• Atmospheric and Emotive Art: Tara O’Connor’s art style is perfectly suited for this intimate narrative, capturing the subtle shifts in Hannah’s emotional state and the sudden, jarring impact of her emerging powers.

• Sophisticated Storytelling: Published by AfterShock Comics, Side Effects stands out for its mature themes, sharp dialogue, and its refusal to rely on easy answers or typical comic book tropes.

Item Details

• Publisher: Seismic Press

• Writer: Ted Anderson

• Artist: Tara O’Connor

• Format: Trade Paperback (TPB)

• Pages: 128 Pages

• Collects: Side Effects #1–5

• Genre: Psychological Thriller / Contemporary / Superhero

Item Condition

This book is in Brand New / Unread condition.

• Cover: Mint condition. Features sharp corners, a pristine spine, and a clean, vibrant finish with no shelf wear or retail stickers.

• Spine: Perfectly tight, flat, and square; zero creasing or "reading lines."

• Interior: Clean, white, and crisp pages with professional-grade ink saturation and zero markings or defects.

• Storage: Maintained in a smoke-free, climate-controlled environment to ensure it arrives in collector-grade condition.

Item Specifications

See pictures for product condition. All products are shipped Mon, Wed, and Fri from Retro Madness in Texas. Our staff are available during business hours to answer questions, send photos, or help find the perfect collectible item. Please call us at our Bedford location for more details!