This was unique with just the right amount of weird. I loved the artwork and the quirkiness of the graphic novel.

This could have turned out to be an entertaining comic/ series, fun story, fun artwork. I was 100% taken out of the narrative by the constant censored cursing. Every [bleeep} brought a cringe, and there's a lot. So much wasted space.

This graphic novel was boring. The characters were under developed, the plot was ok, and the artwork wasn't for me. Overall this was just plain boring.

We follow a bunch of ghost hunters (the Ghostbros) as they have just been told their TV show is being dropped, and they decide to film their show at a long defunct prison, in a desperate attempt to save their show. The prison is rife with evil ghosts, who proceed to murder the bro's, who turn into ghosts themselves, and have to do something about the nasty ghosts.

The art in this is fun, bordering on the cute, even. The story felt like a slog to get through, and I'm having a hard time to put my finger on why it doesn't quite work. Everyone in this book talks a lot, making their dialogue slow and leaden. It doesn't help that the jokes are sort of okay at best, never really funny. The bros call eachother 'bro' and 'dude' every sentence or so, and their cursing is replaced with a red BLEEEP, all of which starts out fine, it's a bit of fun, but it quickly becomes kind of grating. The story takes its sweet time to get to its end, with a climax that feels haphazard and sort of nonsensical.

The art fits a light funny story, sadly the writing doesn't.

•Character development- 3☆
• Story Plot- 3☆
• Side characters- 2.5☆
• Flow of the story- 4☆
• Overall - 3.5☆

It was ok. I went through a range of emotions as I read this graphic novel. At first I was interested - I did pick it on NetGalley - and then I was disappointed, then I started to get into it and as I really started to like it it ends and I am, again, disappointed.
The artwork intrigued me at first, that is what drew me in. For me it arose memories of Futurama and Dr. Katz. But when we get into the characters there were none that I liked. I did not even like hating them. Even Brian was annoying. But I liked the story idea and where it could go, it never went there. Some confusing aspects like how could the nurse have been the prison nurse and also a spirit older than all time? They never fully explained things. And as she was being eaten what about the other gang? That brings me to the ending. It was rushed and then that was it. I know the opening of the story told the ending, we just did not realize it or at least to that extent. I do not know, maybe some more of an explanation on why these guys, as ghosts, could be in both worlds? I just was not buying the ending. It felt forced. But hey, that is my opinion.

Dead Dudes by Christopher Sebela - 2/5 stars

I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This graphic novel is about three ghost hunters who wind up getting killed during one of their episodes. I was so ready to absolutely love this! It sounded right up my alley! Spooky? Check. Funny? Check. Interesting art style? Check. However, I unfortunately did not like this one very much.

I don't think it was the fault of the novel exactly. I just found myself not connected to the characters or becoming invested. I didn't really care what happened to anyone in the story. I reread the same page multiple times because I just kept zoning out.

This could have been circumstantial, but this novel just did not work for me. I felt distant from the story and confused at points.

My thanks to Oni Press for a digital edition via NetGalley of the graphic novel ‘Dead Dudes’ in exchange for an honest review. It was written by Christopher Sebela with artwork by Ben Sears

Trev, Kent, and Brian are the snarky hosts of the popular ghost hunting show, Ghost Bros. As their ratings are falling, they decide to undertake a dangerous project - visiting the Chernobyl of haunted locations: Edgeway Penitentiary.

Things do not go well and they end up as ghosts, themselves trapped with the malevolent ghosts that had killed them. A year later, a film crew arrives for a live anniversary memorial special that will be hosted by their most hated rivals, the Parawarriors! The Ghost Bros see this as an opportunity to prove to the world that ghosts exist. What could possibly go wrong? (Spoiler alert: plenty!).

‘Dead Dudes’ is meant as a parody on this type of paranormal reality show and I felt that it conveyed this well. I found it fun, even if at times a bit silly. It constantly amused me that every time the Bros swore it was replaced by ‘bleeps’.

The artwork wasn’t really to my taste though it suited the storyline.

Review to come on October 13th blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

So I was very hyped when I got this book, however I had to keep in my hype until October. I can tell you, it wasn't easy. I just love a good spooky graphic novel and this one was just calling me to read it. Now it is finally time!

In this one we meet a crew of guys who have a paranormal show... but it isn't doing so well. The guys will have to do something crazy do they want to stay on air and keep their show. So one of them thinks of something crazy and I was just eager to see them go to this so called Chernobyl of ghosts. I wondered what would happen to them and I also declared them crazy as freak. I get they want to go all out, but HELLO no one ever returned from that hellspawn of a place. Oh well, at least one of them had the sense to say no, not that they listened to him (run dude, run).

I loved the information we got on the prison, it definitely got me into it a bit more. Knowing what has happened there. And when they finally got to the prison things quickly went south, as I was hoping from the most haunted place ever. Sadly... after that it quickly turned normal (or normalish) again and I was wondering how the hell there were another 100 pages to come. Thankfully something else happens, but yeah, I just wasn't in the mood for it. I mean the cover made it seem awesome, and with the exception of a couple of pages, so far I have yet to see awesomeness. This just couldn't hold my attention. I kept looking at the page numbers in the hopes that I was almost done. There is so much dialogue and so not much fun horror creepiness. *sighs*

There are some exciting parts, but I don't know.. I just couldn't get too excited. The characters just weren't my thing either, I get that they hate those guys that came in after them, but it took them way too long to try and help them out. And the nurse was scary... but not that scary if you keep seeing her in some big blob mode for pages after pages and her not doing much except try to be scary.

The ending was OK, I am happy for our Ghost Bros and how despite all they can still have a happy ending.

Also, instead the annoying red lettered BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP, I would have rather seen some curses, it just felt very weird and odd now.

The art was OK-ish. Not always my favourite though, but still good enough.

Fun !! This graphic novel was cool and eerie. I actually didn't expect the first chapter to be that way and it was quite a surprise. The art of the landscape was good but the characters could be a little better. On the whole I really liked the book. At times I felt that the story was a bit unnecessarily dragged out and it could have been avoided.

I liked many things about this book. The variety of characters, the plot, the twist, the flow of the story was good and the details of the ghosts was cool. I would have loved some urban superstitions in it but the tech is what makes the story more interesting. Thankyou netgalley for the copy.

This is a fun quick read for anyone who wants a good time reading about funky ghosts. #netgalley #deaddudes

appy October!! (I had the very overwhelming urge when typing that to type Have a Jolly Holly Halloween, but we are not there yet).

It’s October! In addition to all the amazing books I got last month in September I got a new fall/October table runner to add some more festivity to my dining room and I have been loving getting to add some cozy fall decor through out the house. Decorating my house for the fall and winter season is one of my absolute favorite things possibly ever. I have also been continuing my quest to read a bunch of graphic novels and manga that are either on my shelves or my Netgalley! One I picked up recently was Dead Dudes, I picked this one up on name alone because it sounded like it could be a kinda creepy fall read.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Trav, Kent, and Brain are definitely not friends let’s call them work acquaintances (co-workers would maybe even be a little far for this trio). They are all stars on the show Ghost Bros. A short of ghost hunting/going to hunted places type show that has been on for several seasons now. However, the stars do not get along at all when the camera is off and all have different ideas of how things should be going. One day the network tells them their next season and their big trip is off, they are canceled. From here a plan is crafted, a gamble, to try to rake in the ratings and get them more seasons, more money, and fame. They are going to go to Edgwater Penitentiary. An infamous prison that has been closed down since everyone died in a fire there, before that it was one of the most notorious prisons in the area. Armed with a small bag of camera equipment the Ghost Bros head into the prison only to find that maybe this was not such a good idea.

This graphic novel was a surprise hit for me. At first I was unsure how I was going to feel about it but once things got into the story of Edgewater and the Ghost Bros I was all in. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and I loved looking over the illustrations. This was a great introduction to the spooky season graphic novel (not too spooky but just right to start off the season).

Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars

**Thank you so much to the publisher for the Netgalley ARC in exchange for my honest review

I received an ARC of this graphic novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dead Dudes is a fun read about a team of ghost hunters who end up getting murdered by ghosts at a place they are investigating. They then become ghosts and interact with the ghosts that already inhabit the Edgeway Penitentiary. It's really interesting how ghost hunters react to being actual ghosts. If you like ghosts or ghost hunting you will enjoy this fun read.

This book was a lot of fun. Great art and writing. Good jokes. I would definitely recommend this book to friends and will probably pick it up for myself when it comes out.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a complimentary eARC for review purposes*

This book was okay, I wasn't really a fan of the art style but I did enjoy the premise.

This was fun! The bro dude ghost hunters were not my personal cup of tea (I mean, they’re not supposed to be, the book is making fun of them mostly), but I was engaged throughout.

I think my expectations were too high going into this. I didn't love the art style and the story didn't impress me either but it was good enough. Not bad, not great. It fits somewhere in the middle. It's not scary and it doesn't take itself seriously. I'd still recommend checking this one out but go in with low expectations.

ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ @ᵒⁿⁱᵖʳᵉˢˢ ᶠᵒʳ ˡᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵐᵉ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵃⁿ ᴬᴿᶜ ᵒᶠ ᴰᵉᵃᵈ ᴰᵘᵈᵉˢ ⁱⁿ ᵉˣᶜʰᵃⁿᵍᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿ ʰᵒⁿᵉˢᵗ ʳᵉᵛⁱᵉʷ. ᵂⁱᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ, ᴰᵉᵃᵈ ᴰᵘᵈᵉˢ ⁱˢ ᵃ ᵍʳᵃᵖʰⁱᶜ ⁿᵒᵛᵉˡ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵃ ᵗʳⁱᵒ ᵒᶠ ᵍʰᵒˢᵗ ʰᵘⁿᵗᵉʳˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵐⁱˢᵃᵈᵛᵉⁿᵗᵘʳᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ˢᵃˡᵛᵃᵍᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁱʳ ᵀⱽ ˢʰᵒʷ. ᵀʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵖʰⁱᶜˢ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵈᵉᶜᵉⁿᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵒⁿᶜᵉᵖᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᶠᵘⁿ. ᵀʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵈ "ᵇˡᵉᵉᵖ" ⁱˢ ᵘˢᵉᵈ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᶠ ᵖʳᵒᶠᵃⁿⁱᵗʸ ⁽ᵃˡᵇᵉⁱᵗ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵗᵒᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐʸ ᵖʳᵉᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵃˢ ⁱᵗ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᵃⁿⁿᵒʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵉᵃʳˡʸ ᵒⁿ⁾. ᵀʰᵉ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ ʰᵃᵈ ʰᵘᵐᵒʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵃⁿʸ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰˢ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵐⁱⁿⁱᵐᵃˡˡʸ ᵍʳᵃᵖʰⁱᶜ. ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵃʳᵃᶜᵗᵉʳˢ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵈʳᵃʷⁿ ˢᵒ ˢⁱᵐⁱˡᵃʳˡʸ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᶠᵘˢⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱᶠᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᵗⁱᵃᵗᵉ. ᴼᵛᵉʳᵃˡˡ, ⁱᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᵃ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉˢᵗ ᵍʳᵃᵖʰⁱᶜ ⁿᵒᵛᵉˡ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ʳᵉᵃᵈ. ᴵ'ᵈ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʳᵉᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵈ ⁱᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃⁿʸᵒⁿᵉ ˡᵒᵒᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ qᵘⁱʳᵏʸ, ᶠᵘⁿ ʳᵉᵃᵈ.

I am a fan of Christopher Sebela and I'm fond of dumb times in surreal situations. Even when those dumb times can be made into something a little dramatic.

I have a history of watching these paranormal investigation shows, finding the subjects interesting for a discussion but kind of dull when it comes to actually finding stuff. Spoiler alert, they never do. Like cults and other hobbies that get obsessive, there's a lot more hot air that's mostly just showbiz. Yet there's this passion for stuff people genuinely believe in. Trevor for all intents and purposes genuinely believes in ghosts and is out to prove they exist to the world at large. The kind where it's nice to get paid to do it and do what you love at the same time. But then there's the reality that not everyone has the same motivations that you do. Some people like Kent just want the fame by riding the trends, or be like Brian who just wants to be a part of something because he has trouble fitting in. Which makes things problematic when these Ghost Bros can barely stand each other and one-up people around them.

This problem escalates considering that the world of ghosts and passing on has numerous unwritten rules that nobody really understands. The kind where one-upping people is kind of the point of being a ghost with extrinsic rewards, like being able to manifest longer by cannibalizing other ghosts. Or say going to heaven despite being kind of a lousy person who cheats taxes. But that's kind of the point of trying to get your head around stuff with Christopher Sebela. Satire and commentary are mostly about just rolling with the punches to get a better understanding of subjects.

I won't lie, I've been guilty of watching some of the various paranormal ghost hunting shows - so when I saw the premise of this one I had to pick it up. I immediately enjoyed the cheeky fun that was poked at some of the current and past shows, as well as the shenanigans that follows when the Ghost Bros find themselves on the other side of the veil. This story is full of humor, fun capers and a hilarious battle at the end.

This was a big miss for me. The premise was interesting but the execution was mediocre and the characters under developed.

This also had my least favorite thing in graphic novels and that is self censoring dialogue, i.e. “I bleeep love this.” If you are not going to say the swear word in the dialogue then why would you unnecessarily add the word ‘bleep’ to it? Just leave it out.

Ghost Dudes: for the dudes’ dude who likes ghosts!

The premise sounded so interesting to me even though I tend to stay far away from comics (in particular) that have almost exclusively-male leading casts. I’m glad I gave it a try — “dudes” and “bros” is dropped constantly by the central characters, emphasizing a light-hearted tone. The women characters weren’t the most central, but I do appreciate that none were fridged nor there for sexual/romantic relationships with the other characters.

Ghost Dudes is a fun read: the art reminds me of old-school Simpsons with the paranormal atmosphere of The Secret Knots. I found myself with a particular appreciation for the lettering and speech bubble work throughout— by utilizing BLEEP throughout, Ghost Dudes plays with reality TV in comic form. The first couple of pages with a ton of bleeps didn’t register, but the longer they went on, the funnier I found it.

I found the horror-humor blend to be fairly balanced throughout - the materialization of ghosts (particularly in the first section) is really fantastic and finds that perfect middle ground between “AHH!” and “oh cool.” I think some of the violence would be a intense for a younger-YA reader on their own, but I can see a teen absolutely devouring this comic in one session (even if they’re not a dudes’ dude!)