Justin Richards

Justin Richards is an Oregon-based non-binary writer whose work has left a distinct mark on contemporary independent comics. Their debut creator-owned series, Finger Guns, launched with Vault Comics in 2020 and immediately distinguished itself through its raw, honest exploration of teenage emotional landscape.

Finger Guns ran for four issues and was collected into a trade paperback, telling the story of two troubled teenagers who discover they can manipulate emotions by firing finger guns. What could have been a simple superpower premise became something far more complex—a tender, often painful examination of how we weaponize our emotions against ourselves and others. The series earned critical praise for its authentic portrayal of adolescent struggle, finding humor and heartbreak in equal measure.

Richards’ approach to storytelling centers on emotional authenticity. Their characters don’t just experience trauma—they process it in ways that feel genuine to anyone who has survived the messiness of growing up. The writing balances sharp comedic moments with genuine emotional depth, creating stories that are both accessible and profoundly affecting.

The creative team on Finger Guns included artist Val Halvorson, colorist Rebecca Nalty, and letterer Taylor Esposito—a collaboration that proved remarkably cohesive in bringing Richards’ vision to life.

In 2025, Richards returned with The Slasher’s Apprentice at Mad Cave Studios. This new series flips the script—a horror-obsessed podcaster named Riley decides to help their favorite legendary slasher, The Hopton Valley Killer, find a new career path. It’s a love letter to slasher tropes with a Creepypasta twist, showing Richards’ range extends beyond coming-of-age drama into genre horror-comedy. The series continues their collaboration with Val Halvorson on art and Rebecca Nalty on colors, demonstrating the strength of their creative partnership.

With two distinct series exploring different emotional territories—adolescent angst in Finger Guns and genre-bending horror-comedy in The Slasher’s Apprentice—Justin Richards has established themselves as a writer capable of moving readers in multiple ways. Their stated goal is “to move the emotional needle every time they lay a finger to the keyboard,” and the evidence suggests they’re meeting that standard consistently.

The limited available information about their personal presence online means this profile relies heavily on their published work and publisher-verified information. As their career continues to develop, additional biographical details may emerge.