Like most 90s kids, I grew up on scary stories and urban legends. One of my favorite shows as a kid was “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” A show where kids sit around a campfire and take turns telling ghost stories shouldn’t work, but it did. In a lot of ways, Adam Ellis’s Bad Dreams in the Night reads like a spiritual successor to that.
| Title: Bad Dreams in the Night | Author/Illustrator: Adam Ellis |
| Release Date: April 16, 2024 | Genre: Horror Anthology |
| Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing | Page Count: 256 |
Synopsis
Like a graphic novel version of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, this collection of original horror tales is packed with urban legends, terrifying twists, and delightfully haunted stories by one of the biggest stars in webcomics. Each story will make you scream for more!
A new take on a classic format, Bad Dreams in the Night is an updated, illustrated take on the horror anthologies the author grew up with as a kid, such as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and In a Dark, Dark Room. These self-contained stories grew rapidly in popularity among the author’s online audience, and even inspired production of a motion picture from BuzzFeed Studios and Lionsgate Films. Filled with spine-tingling, pulse-increasing tales of mystery and supernatural occurrences, this book of never-before-seen comics will be the perfect gift for people who love Black Mirror and Stranger Things and listened to podcasts like Welcome to Night Vale and Rabbits.
Review:
Reading Bad Dreams In the Night feels like reading a journal of ghost stories and urban legends written down by your best friend. It’s personal, honest, and genuinely unsettling at times. Ellis has compiled an excellent anthology of eleven short graphic novel tales, each of which is creepy in its own way.
The following were my favorite stories in the collection:
- “Me and Evangeline at the Farm,” where a man recalls a sci-fi movie from his youth that no one else has seen.
- “Bus Stop,” where a bus stop appears seemingly out of nowhere.
- “Murder Party,” where a controversial true crime podcaster follows clues.
- “Viola Bloom,” which cannot be explained and must be read. It’s unsettling and has excellent personal commentary by Ellis following the story.
Art:
The art style is incredible, and Ellis’s narrative voice is strong in all the stories. You probably know Adam Ellis (@adamtots on Instagram) from his viral comix and webtoons on social media. You can expect to see his typical art style, albeit with an eerie flair, throughout this entire anthology.
Final Thoughts:
Ellis’s anthology is perfect for 90s kids who grew up on “Are You Afraid of the Dark?,” “Scooby-Doo,” and “Courage the Cowardly Dog.” Bad Dreams in the Night is a great read for YA and adult horror lovers and everyone who enjoys creepy stories.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy. All the above thoughts are my own.
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