I had a lot of fun reading this graphic novel. As a girl who loves all things spooky and Halloween, I immediately knew I was going to love this read. And boy was I right! The artist did such a phenomenal job of putting a cute and unique spin on the classic Dracula tale. As well as incorporating a delectable delight of humor and wit that had me chuckling across every page. The added mystery element to the plot was definitely a plus too. I highly recommend this read for anyone looking to dive into a funny, mysterious, and wholesome story!

this was not at all what I expected. Basically a story about how vampires discovered human blood was their fuel and could be substituted for their favorite blood orange jelly. the brunch club exists where humans and vampires can mingle. count Dracula is famous. except another vampire has returned taking over the club and making it a rule thy vampires cannot be with humans. count Dracula doesn't approve of this of course. great story easy to read. illustrations fit the mood perfectly.

fun+donuts+blood= mayhem

I never been so entertained and laughed, since being a member of NetGalley for years now by reading this graphic novel. This one long but fun ride that has no dull moments and you'll read it from the end. I like the cover which didn't reveal what this book is all about. The artwork is reminiscing of some Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon style. The humor is so hilarious and good! Mix it up together and you'll get an amazing graphic novel!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC copy of this book!

This is such a fun and wholesome story. I love the twist on traditional vampire lore that we all know, it makes this story unique (at least I haven't read anything like it.) The fact that vampires are not seen as evil creatures from the very beginning of the story makes it stand out and helps the story make sense.

The characters are well developed and the way they interact with each other makes it more enjoyable to read. I like how vampires did not turn out to be bad or get out of control after they discovered a replacement for getting their energy. It stayed humorous and positive at all times and I liked that tone in the story. It even made me crave the blood orange doughnuts. Plus, I love the cover, it's such a playful way to represent the plot and themes.

Overall, I think this comic is fun and interesting enough to keep the reader wanting to know what happens next. It's take on the vampire lore makes it unique and easy to follow for readers of all ages.

This was a cute graphic novel that reminded me a little of Hotel Transylvania. I thought the artwork was really cute and I enjoyed the story.

I liked Count Dracula. He was a cool vampire who liked mingling with humans and loved his jelly donuts. 🍩

There were a few recipes for jelly donuts at the end of the graphic novel which I thought was cool. I might have to give those recipes a try one of these days!

You should read this if you’re looking for a cute and light graphic novel.

5 ⭐

This was a fun blend on the usual haunting classic of Dracula. There was a bit of an ironic turn, but things worked out for the better. I loved how jelly doughnuts were a life force for vampires instead of the usual woosy blood sucking. This was a quick and lighthearted fun read with even cuter graphics.

Thank you to OniPress and NetGalley for providing an early proof in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

my son devoured this in one sitting—like genuinely didn’t move until he finished it. he thought the whole concept was hilarious (vampires powered by jelly donuts? yes please 😂) and kept stopping to tell me random quotes or show me the art.

he especially loved the jelly shortage storyline—said it was “so dramatic but in the best way” lol. he also thought orlok was adorable and asked if there’s going to be a sequel because he’s officially a fan now.

from a parent’s perspective, this was such a fun and fresh twist on vampire lore. the art is vibrant, the humor lands for kids and adults, and it has that perfect middle grade balance of spooky, silly, and sweet. we both loved the bonus donut recipes at the end too—such a fun touch.

huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the early copy! this one’s going on our shelf for sure.

This was such a cute and clever adaptation of Dracula’s classic story arc. I really enjoyed the way the familiar vampire lore was reimagined in a fresh, fun way. The story was engaging from start to finish, and the artwork was absolutely fantastic — it added so much personality and charm to the experience.

While I did suspect the culprit early on, that didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the storyline at all. The pacing kept me hooked, and I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting — I picked it up late at night and couldn’t put it down until I was done.

Highly recommended for fans of quirky vampire stories, graphic novels with heart, or anyone looking for a light, entertaining twist on a classic character.

Dracula's Brunch Club is a delightful surprise — a graphic novel that sinks its teeth into the vampire genre with charm, wit, and just the right amount of jelly filling.

Brian Gonsar’s story is straightforward enough for younger readers to follow, but has just enough layers of mystery and mischief to keep things interesting. It walks that fine line between accessible and clever — a balancing act many children's books attempt, but few pull off this well. The humor is consistently sharp, with plenty of “dad-jokes,” puns, and some wonderfully silly twists on classic vampire lore. (Blood orange jelly donuts as a vampire’s sustenance? Inspired. The inevitable discovery of real blood? Hilarious.)

Keenan Gaybba’s artwork is a perfect match. The style is undeniably cute — very much in line with the aesthetic of recent children’s animation — and the characters are expressive and full of life (er, unlife?). That said, over the course of 200+ pages, the mostly monochrome color palette starts to feel a bit flat. A touch more visual variety could’ve elevated some scenes and helped distinguish the many entertaining moments even more.

One standout touch is the inclusion of donut and jelly recipes at the end of the book. They look amazing, but fair warning — flipping to them when your kitchen’s unstocked feels like a cruel (yet delicious) joke.

Overall, Dracula's Brunch Club is a fang-tastic entry point for kids curious about vampires without wanting anything too spooky. It's funny, smart, and wonderfully offbeat. I laughed out loud a few times, smiled throughout, and would happily recommend it to both young readers and grown-ups looking for something light and charming.

Just... make sure you have some jelly donuts on hand before you start.

This was a fun story about Dracula… and baked goods. Definitely not a combination I ever expected to read about, but I really liked the book. The art style was great too, so I recommend reading this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the eARC.

This is such a fresh, humorous take on Dracula that I think kids will find hilarious and all ages will love.

Dracula’s Brunch Club written by Brain Gonsar is a hilarious, lighthearted twist on vampire lore that reimagines how the undead developed a taste for blood. I genuinely loved this graphic novel, and I think it’s a perfect pick for middle grade readers, but equally fun and enjoyable for older audiences too.

The story follows Count Dracula, a vampire with a flair for baking, whose famous blood-orange jelly donuts power the vampire world. When a sudden jelly shortage hits Transylvania, Dracula’s nemesis Constantine swoops in to steal the spotlight and and Dracula’s beloved brunch club. But the jelly drama quickly turns into something far more sinister, and with the help of his human friend Elena, Dracula must uncover the truth before it’s too late.

The pacing was spot on and kept me engaged from start to finish. I read it in one sitting and was completely drawn in. The characters were fun, quirky, and full of personality, and I’d absolutely love to see a sequel, there’s so much potential for more adventures in this wonderfully weird world.

The artwork by Keenan Gaybba was vibrant and matched the tone of the story beautifully, helping to bring every scene to life in a way that was both whimsical and immersive.

A funny, feel good graphic novel with a fresh take on classic monsters, Dracula’s Brunch Club is a must read for anyone who enjoys clever humor, creative storytelling, and a vampire story that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

loved this so much! will totally be buying this once it's released. gorgeous art, meaningful story. loved the characters so much.

Have you ever wondered how vampires got their taste for blood?
Well, the answer lies within this clever and hilarious graphic novel.
Dracula's Brunch Club takes the dry, old vampire lore and gives it a nice sprinkle of humor.
And as a bonus, there are recipes for the blood jelly donuts! I'm not sure I'd make the donuts, but the jelly sounds delicious.

Highly recommended. Expected publishing date; 08/12/2025

Thanks to @netgalley and Oni Press  for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This book is clever, witty, and an absolute blast—I was laughing out loud from beginning to end. Beyond the fantastic humor, it’s a genuinely compelling story with excellent pacing and a heartwarming theme of acceptance.

Ever wonder how vampires really acquired their taste for blood? This book offers the hilarious and surprisingly educational origin story you never knew you needed. As a delightful bonus, it even includes recipes in the back.

A must-read for anyone who loves a good laugh with their lore.

A delicious spooky graphic novel for middle-grade readers who, like author Brian Gonsar, "want to read scary books, but not actually be scared." Gonsar and illustrator Keenan Gaybba create a delightfully creepy world full of vampires and humans who are obsessed with ... jelly donuts!

A Fun Concept That Fell Flat for Me

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of Dracula's Brunch Club by Brian Gonsar.

I really wanted to love this one—vampires, brunch, and a graphic novel format? It sounded like a quirky, spooky delight. Unfortunately, while the premise was fun and had real potential, the execution didn’t quite land for me.

The humor felt forced at times, and the storyline didn’t seem to have much depth or direction. I found myself wishing for more character development and a stronger narrative thread to tie everything together. The art style had moments of charm but overall felt inconsistent.

That said, I think readers who enjoy campy horror-comedy or offbeat premises might still find enjoyment in this. It just wasn’t my cup of (blood-orange) tea.

A donut centred brunch club led by a vampire? Sign me up Jellycup!

This was not at all what I expected but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The illustration style is beautiful and the purple/blue colour scheme speaks to my soul. I just wish the cover would reflect the illustration style inside the graphic novel better. Especially after seeing the bonus content at the end with the other cover designs.

The story was a lovely twist on the usual vampire lore and I love how it all came together at the end. I think my favourite character is Orlok, he is such a precious little bean.

Also, there are two donut recipes at the end ... just saying.

This was so much fun! It felt like Hotel Transylvania, it is one of the best middle grade graphic novels I have read. I would re-read this, especially around Halloween.

That was cute in a hotel Transylvania way !
Tho the plot was pretty predictable it was enjoyable
I liked what they have done with it. I didn't want them to realise that blood was a great source of energy for the vampire to then turn it a bloodshed and the conclusion was satisfying enough !