Stoke

In Stoke (2018–present, Shortbox), writer and artist Sam Wade crafts a haunting, single-issue meditation on grief and transformation. This short-form comic follows a lone figure tending a mysterious, ever-burning fire on a desolate shore, blending stark imagery with sparse, poetic storytelling. Wade's atmospheric linework and muted palette create an intimate, almost wordless experience that resonates with the quiet power of a folk tale. A standout from the Shortbox line, it demonstrates how a single issue can hold the weight of an entire world.