The Ascendant

What happens when the monster decides to change? Cail was once a Duke of Hell, responsible for millennia of debauchery and villainy. But after feeling remorse for his misdeeds, he escapes the underworld and romps through Rome and Naples, wreaking havoc while searching for something that might look a lot like redemption.

Mark C. Frankel’s The Ascendant takes classical mythology and flips it on its head—instead of demons tempting humans to sin, we follow a demon trying to do good. It’s dark fantasy with surprising heart, published by Wayward Raven Media.

The Creative Team

The series brought together a talented group of indie creators:

• Mark C. Frankel - Writer
• Christopher Hanchey - Artist
• Michael Kellar - Inker
• Rich Cardoso - Colorist
• Carey Kelley - Letterer

Story Summary

The story unfolds across five issues, with Cail—also known as the Duke of the Darkened Reaches—battling not only the escaped demons of Hell but his own inner turmoil. Along the way, he encounters a cast of intriguing characters including Faustus, an enigmatic elderly enchanter who becomes his unlikely ally, and Sibila, a sightless siren who captures his heart.

The series takes readers through iconic European locations—Rome, Naples, and Mount Vesuvius—before ultimately confronting the demons of Hell itself, including Cail’s own father, Bael. As the breach in the earth’s core releases the Hosts of Hades, Cail must decide whether redemption is truly possible or if the nature of a demon is immutable.