Charisma is a multi-perspective story following several different characters. The central character is Archer, whose childhood was rather messed up due to the influence of his mentally unstable family members. His father Ed is afflicted with bipolar disorder, while older half-brother Murphy is autistic.

The story follows Archer as he works with Deano to infiltrate a drug cartel that has a long-standing enmity with his gang. Along the way he meets Ken, who's also infiltrating the cartel (for the police). What follows is a multitude of conflicts between different gangs, members of the same gang, and seemingly random people.

The chapters in the first volume are not in chronological order; the story begins with Archer being released from prison, then goes back to the past and how everything began.

NOTE: Cover image is from volume 3 of the 2001 edition.