Bizarre. Terrifying. Unforgettable.
I was lucky to receive Mr. Ballen Presents: Where Nightmares Live as an ARC from Net Galley and Clarkson Potter/ Ten Speed Press. As a newer fan of Mr. Ballen, I was excited to dig into a different form of media from him. Let’s get into it!

What did I like?
From the introduction to the last page, I was hooked. Watching a Mr. Ballen video has a way of drawing you in. You’re always unsure where you’re going or what will happen next. But you enjoy the journey. So, having Mr. Ballen’s voice come through in comic form was something I loved. Translating from video to comic and still maintaining your voice? Chef’s kiss.

The illustrator Andrea Mutti was able to take the stories from Mr. Ballen and elevate them in such a cool way. I wish I knew more about the technical side of illustrating, but I can tell you that they all enhanced the story.

The stories chosen all felt unique and scary in their own way. Remembering halfway through a story that this actually happened was a recurring thought I had. And every time it gave me goosebumps. Four of the stories were held back until publication, but that just makes me want to pick up a copy on release day.

What didn’t I like?
The only thing I didn’t like is kind of silly: I wish the stories were longer. Obviously, the trade-off we get with a graphic novel versus a video is all the illustrations. I can’t imagine how much time and effort Andrea Mutti spent creating all of the drawings. And I don’t want to take away from the incredible work that was done on this project.

Final Thoughts?
If you’re a fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious, then you gotta check this out. Mr. Ballen is a great storyteller, and this work helps bolster that claim.

5/5

I was introduced to Mr. Ballen on FB and TikTok. The stories shared are chilling most times. When I saw that there was a book version I jumped at the opportunity. The stories are great as usual. My personal dislike was the comic book style form. Is it bad? Nope! The illustrations were wonderfully drawn. My personal issue is it is difficult for me to concentrate on the stories because of the art. My ADHD has me looking at everything in the pictures and losing focus. But that is a me problem, don't let it deter you from reading this awesome book.

I love MrBallen's yt channel, and have now read both graphic novels. They are just as fun as watching his show. The drawings and the way the story is told feels like a MrBallen episode. The only complaint I have is specifically for this NetGalley ARC. There are supposed to be 9 stories. 4 of the stories were left out of the ARC. I realize this was on purpose, but it really messes up the expierence for the reviewer. I am not sure if that was a decision on Ng's part or the publisher l, but it makes it more difficult to give a full review.

I'd like to thank Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press, Ten Speed Graphic, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read "MrBallen Presents: Where Nightmares Live" early in return for an honest review. As always, my opinions, good and bad, are strictly my own!

This will absolutely appeal to Mr. Ballen fans. The graphic novel approach had some of the horror aspect diminished for me. As a Mr. Ballen fan, the way he tells his stories is a big part of the creepiness of it (for me personally.)

Four chapters were held back from the ARC, which is fine - I would love to see those when the work is published. The artwork is very reminiscent of the work in the Walking Dead Compendiums, so if you enjoy those, you would enjoy this work.

The stories included thus far were:

a ship that made the crew insane, until the spirit claims one soul
a family who purchases a farmhouse in Maine that ends up under attack by animal like creatures (Stephen King anyone?)
a little girl who will make you question if reincarnation is real (this story was not horror at all to me but VERY fascinating)
a perfect lake is the setting for a perfect nightmare
the melting man

Anticipated publication date of Sep 30, 2025.

I've only recently become a MrBallen fan, and I am definitely hooked. If you're a fan of the mysterious and frightening, that have the possibility of being true, like strange disappearances, cryptid encounters, and dark urban legends, MrBallen has got you covered. These are great stories. I'm not easily frightened, as I consider myself a professional Horror Fiction Fan, but each of these stories were new to me, and sent a little shiver up my spine. I loved it!

For a real treat, you should listen to his podcasts. He's a wonderful storyteller, with a great voice, and yes, I did read this book in his voice.

Just a heads up! Not all of the stories are in this digital copy. Only 7 of 9 stories are available, so I'm looking forward to getting an actual, physical, copy, in my hands, come September.

My thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press - Ten Speed Graphic for an advance copy of this graphic novel that shows the world as it really is, full of mystery, full of things we don't understand, and full of things that can hurt us in thousands of ways, all waiting where the light of flashlights begin to end.

When I was a kid there was an author who I loved more than anything. Each one of his books was a revelation. Showing ghosts, Bigfoot, vampires, haunted houses, strange lights in the sky, and creatures under the bed. Daniel Cohen was his name, and his books are ones that I read over and over. Much of what I am now is because of those books. Much like Fox Mulder, I want to believe, and books like Cohen's made me a fan of ghost stories, Alien lore and more. And probably magick and bigger conspiracies. Reading this graphic novel I had the same feelings that Cohen's books filled me with oh so many years ago. The this can't be real, well maybe some of it is real, oh my god lock the house and clear the basement I am hiding there. MrBallen Presents: Where Nightmares Live: The Graphic Stories is compiled by the YouTube star MrBallen and illustrated by Andrea Mutti and tell stories of nature gone suddenly dangerous, strange noises, spooky events and much more.

The graphic novel is made up of nine stories of about similar length and tell stories of spooky things happening by the people who experienced it. The advance copy was short four stories, but all follow a pattern and a fear factor compiled by the YouTuber. There is a story about a ghost freighter that drives the crew slowly mad, until the spirits that haunt the boat get a soul. A innocent farmhouse far in the Maine countryside becomes under siege from strange wolf life creatures. A young woman who has found a peaceful oasis near her home in the desert is shocked to find dead animals, and a strange creature pursuing her in a torrential flood. Along with other tales.

A collection that I would have enjoyed as a kid years ago. The stories aren't really scary, more unsettling. These would be perfect to read around a campfire, and still let little campers get some sleep. The length is also good, as they don't overextend their welcome. Just as the story is getting to the hey wait a minute moment, it ends. The art is fine for the collection as it fits the story, doesn't really shock in ways, and is perfect for the readers who I assume must be younger. I know my nephews will enjoy this, one will be a little more scared than the other, but this would be a good introduction to young readers about the strange things that happen in the world. A fun collection.

Just like his first book, this was great! It makes these stories even more scary when you get the visuals to go along with them. I’ve been a fan of Mr. Ballen for awhile now and I feel like nobody else can tell a story like him.

I was very excited to get a sample of this book free from NetGalley. I am a huge fan of MrBallen and his podcasts and YouTube videos. This is his second graphic novel and it is just as good as the first! He delves into weird and spooky stories that are based on real events. He researches his books well. I also love the illustrations in this book. The watercolor look gives the pictures a creepy vibe.

I liked how this was a collection of short stories but done in the graphic novel style. The art style was really good, and some of the stories were definitely quite spooky. However, I wish that it had included all the stories, and that it had gone a little deeper.

I enjoyed the first MrBallen Presents graphic novel and I enjoyed this one. The stories are creepy and the art is great. The stories are based on real-life events which adds to the creepiness. If you like short horror stories, you will like this graphic novel. It's a great read for horror fans.

In MrBallen Presents: Where Nightmares Live, John Allen, known popularly as “MrBallen,” is back with another heart-stopping collection of strange and mysterious stories exploring terrors that lie just beyond our comprehension

An interesting compilation of stories in this latest addition of Mr. Ballen's stories.  These, unlike his first volume, do not so much look at ghosts, murders, and other things of horror. Where Nightmares Live, focuses on the fear that comes with the things we cannot see. That someone or something that chases you and you know it's there but just can't catch a glimpse of, so you run. You run for your life.
The stories that are included here all carry that feeling of dread and fear.
The artwork is so well done, you feel like you are there.
The writing is clean and clear. You follow the story, paying close attention as you listen to supposedly "true tales".

Very well done. Highly recommend. The expected publishing date is Sept. 30, 2025.
Thanks to @netgalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press | Ten Speed Graphic for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Another must have! Though not all the stories were included I did enjoy the ones that were there. I need to get physical copies of this and the 1st one.

This is the second book I’m reading by the author, and once again, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing style is gripping, and the horror elements are handled masterfully. Although the review version doesn’t include all the stories, it gave me just enough chills to convince me I need to buy the full book and experience everything it has to offer. The graphics were bold, detailed, and added an extra layer of eeriness to the stories. Each tale had its own spine-tingling twist, leaving me with goosebumps and a lingering sense of dread. Some stories even made me look over my shoulder at night! If you enjoy graphic horror with a mix of psychological tension and visual storytelling, this is a must-read. I can’t wait to get my hands on the full edition.

I loved the first MrBallen graphic novel so I was incredibly excited when he announced a sequel! He’s an incredible storyteller, which is no secret considering the success and popularity of his YouTube channel. I’ll probably never get tired of the strange, dark and mysterious tales and I love having some of the more iconic stories that lend themselves to a more visual medium in graphic novel format. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

9 strange and mysterious stories of real events
the terror of what lies beyond our comprehension of our own unnatural world
from aliens, ghosts to the wilderness, mr ballen keeps us one edge
* only 5/9 stories were available in the ARC digital version
1) haunted ship 4 stars
2) demon wolves 5 stars
5) reincarnated egyptian pharaohess 4 stars
7) explorer is taunted by bell/ murderer 3 stars
9) aliens 3 stars
my star rating is a ratioed number from the available reviews, without the other 4 its hard to give an honest rating

Another awesome collection of MrBallen's dark stories in graphic novel format. The stories are just and spine chilling and thrill inducing as the first volume. The artwork is stellar, the stories will keep you up at night, and you will be ready for another volume when you get to the end. MrBallen has truly established himself as the Stephen King of Youtube and now Graphic Novels.

Reviews for this one seem to lean heavily one way or another. It definitely looks like this is going to be a book that you either really like or you just don't care for it.

I chose to rate this one 4* not because of the stories themselves but because of the graphic novel side of it. I am a MrBallen fan. I have followed his videos for quite some time on YouTube. So nothing in this book really stood out to me story wise. I didn't find them to be particularly scary but they are interesting.

The thing that I loved most was the illustrations and that it was written as a graphic novel. I didn't get to read every story because I read an early copy and a few stories were withheld. I will most likely grab an actual copy though because I am curious to see what those will look like.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you love creepy, real-life horror stories that make you double-check your locks at night, this book’s for you. MrBallen's latest graphic novel brings his chilling storytelling style to the page with a collection of dark, twisted tales—some true, some inspired by real events. The stories are fast-paced, creepy, and full of tales that’ll stick with you.

Thank you NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait to purchase a copy when it releases to finish the rest of it!

Mr. ballen is the king of creepy storytelling, and his second graphic novel follows that reputation. The stories are interesting and the art is engaging,

MrBallen Presents: Where Nightmares Live is a compelling read for us fans of horror and true crime. Its blend of factual basis with graphic storytelling offers a uniquelyy creepy experience that both entertains and haunts. The collection explores themes such as: the unknown and its impact on human psyche, encounters with the supernatural across different cultures, the thin veil between reality and the inexplicable. The graphic novels artful narrative and tone remains consistently eerie, aiming to evoke a sense of unease and curiosity. Whether a longtime follower of MrBallen or if you are new to his work, this anthology provides a fresh perspective on the macabre.