im|mortal (Immortal) is a Fantasy/Horror Webcomic by Koriandr published online on Webtoon
and Tapas starting in 2020. It is also available in Russian as бес|смертный.
Knyazich ('Prince') Ivan offers himself to the dark king Koschey in exchange for the safety of his sister Mila. Koschey agrees to make a deal with him, and keeps Ivan as his prisoner, although he has secret plans in regards to the captive prince...
The webcomic is heavily inspired by Slavic Mythology and Russian tales (skazka).
This work contains examples of:
- Big Bad: Koschey the Immortal is the ruler of a dark realm, with an army at his command.
- Childhood Friends: A flashback in Chapter 15 shows that Ivan and his sister Mlava (Mila) met Serega (the Gray Wolf) when they were young.
- Dark Is Evil: Koschey rules over a dark realm from his dark castle. His own skin is of a grayish colour.
- Extra Eyes: Koschey's majordomo has two extra sets of eyes on his forehead.
- Fantastic Racism: In another flashback to Koschey's beginnings, prince Mtsislav enters the boy's room while he is doing chores (sewing and washing some utensils) with his magic powers, which frightens the prince so much he calls Koschey "sorcerer" and tries to murder him. Eventually, he gives up and spares the boy.
- From Nobody to Nightmare: Big Bad Koschey was once a normal slave boy bought by Russian prince Mtsislav. In time, he will become a dark lord ruling over a dark realm and commanding armies to threaten the human kingdoms. A flashback in Chapter 16 shows that Koschey already had magic powers by the time of Prince Mtsislav, when he was captured.
- Meaningful Name:
Word of God states that Koschey's name derives from two possible etymologies: either from a Russian word meaning 'skinny, skin and bones', or from a Turkish word meaning '(male) servant, slave'. When he was a foreign slave boy, he was mockingly given the name 'Koschey', since some Russian noblemen described his physical state as 'only skin and bones'. - Miracle Food: Ivan is invited to dine with Koschey. When he goes to the table, he notices that the food and drinks are produced by a magical tablecloth.
- The Mirror Shows Your True Self: At a certain point, Koschey sees in a mirror a demonic version of himself wearing a crown. The reflection comes out of the mirror and turns into a skeletal king.
- Our Werewolves Are Different: Ivan Tsarevich's ally, Serezha, can change into a gray-furred wolf. Word of God states that he was based on the Seriy Volk, the Grey Wolf from fairy tale Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf.
- Sacred Hospitality: Invoked. After riding away from Koschey's fortress, Mila and Serezha take shelter with a peasant family. Later the same night, the peasant patriach tries to murder Mila, but Serezha scares him and his son while in wolf-form, mentioning they disrespected the rules of hospitality.
- Sorcerous Overlord: Koschey appears to possess several magic powers, including healing and reanimating skeletons to act as his house servants.
- Two Guys and a Girl: Prince Ivan, his elder half-sister Mila (Mlava) and Serezha/Seryoga formed a tight-knit trio since childhood.
