after witnessing her parents murder, riley becomes obsessed with slashers creating a podcast centering around stalking and finding the Hopton Valley Killer, the person behind her parents deaths
eventually finding him, she begs to become his apprentice and does well until another killer arrives to take their terf
dark, gory and disturbing, the twist ending had me thinking about it for hours!

Alright, horror junkies, let’s talk about The Slasher’s Apprentice #1 by Justin Richards and Val Halvorson, dropped by Mad Cave Studios. If you’re into slasher flicks like Scream or Halloween and love geeking out over true-crime podcasts like My Favorite Murder, this comic is your vibe. It’s a bloody, darkly funny dive into the slasher genre with a fresh twist, and I’m here for it!

The story follows Riley, a horror-obsessed podcaster who’s way too into serial killers, especially the legendary Hopton Valley Killer, a mute creep in a lion mask who’s been off the grid for years. Riley’s not just a fangirl; she’s got big plans to track down this killer and—what’s that?—become their apprentice. Yeah, she’s out here trying to learn the art of slashing to help this dude reclaim his infamy. It’s a wild premise, blending true-crime obsession with slasher tropes, and it totally works.

What I loved most is how the comic leans into the genre without feeling like a rip-off. Richards nails those classic slasher moments—like a brutal fridge-stabbing scene or doomed teens getting it on before, well, you know. But it’s not just gore for gore’s sake. The story sets up Riley as this unhinged yet oddly relatable character, and you’re left wondering if she’s a genius or just batshit crazy. The pacing’s a bit slow in spots, and the first issue’s light on plot depth, but it’s only issue one, so I’m giving it a pass. That cliffhanger ending? Chef’s kiss. It’s got me hooked for #2.

Val Halvorson’s art is clean and crisp, with a style that balances gory realism with comic-book flair. Rebecca Nalty’s colors pop, especially the blood-red splashes (duh), and the minimalist shading keeps things intense without overwhelming you. Buddy Beaudoin’s lettering ties it all together, making Riley’s podcast narration feel like you’re listening to a real episode.

Now, it’s not perfect. The story’s a tad thin, and Riley going unnamed in the first issue threw me off a bit. Also, if you’re looking for deep psychological horror right out the gate, you might feel shortchanged—it’s more vibe than substance so far. But for slasher fans, it’s a love letter to the genre, packed with Easter eggs and that familiar comfort of predictable kills with a side of dark humor.

I am not a fan of horror or gore, but the storyline was interesting especially the plot twist in the end which I could only guess 5 seconds before its reveal.

Riley is a murder podcaster and her favourite lengend has been the slasher. He's a killer... actually a mass murderer that kills people in the most brutal way. He's also responsible for killing Riley's parents yet she can't help be a fan of him.

When they finally meet things start to work in her favour and she becomes his apprentice, escaping her death in the first meeting.

The cover art and title drew me to this comic and if you are a fan of horror and gore this is for you. The starting felt dragged however things turn interesting after her meeting with the slasher.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Justin Richards for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Slasher's Apprentice coming out October 28, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love graphic novels, so I was excited to check this out. I love horror books. It definitely exceeded my expectations. I loved the story. I thought the graphics were really great and creepy. I would definitely check out more books in this series.

In a lot of ways this is full of tropes. Some done super well other not so much. But its so SLASHER that I couldn't help but gush about it.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the arc of this graphic novel!

This really is for the horror obsessed people who love the classic movies and crime documentaries. It seems like for our girl, Riley that her passions are about to pay off.

She's got her podcast where she covers true crime stories and various famous killers, but after a certain point, research becomes obsession.
One such killer holds her interest, but is losing their touch, getting sloppy.
You can't blame the dude, technology and people have changed a lot over the years.
Nobody answers their door anymore to strangers, everyone has cameras and police are more thorough in their investigations.

However, she may be just the person to help! Riley is also learning the ropes for herself, so they both learn from each other. It's kind of wholesome, in a morbid sort of way.
Her pitch: why not utilize the technology to your advantage instead of being against it?
Instead of avoiding security cameras, use them to build your notoriety and spread fear to the masses through shared media?

Her new ideas aren't always well received though. Who would have thought that a famous serial killer wouldn't generally be open to critiques?

The novel is short, a quick read full of enjoyable action sequences and lots of gore. I won't spoil it though, read it for yourselves!

I've had my eye on The Slasher's Apprentice for a bit now, so I was eager to check it out. As a huge fan of anything horror, this was right up my alley. The art was fun and I loved the characters. If you're a fan of horror, check this out!

Hackin', wackin' & smackin'

This was a quick and fun read! No one is safe in this brutal & gory graphic novel!

I really enjoyed the premise of how we follow the main villain with its newfound side kick, think a like a twisted Batman and Robin, but instead of solving crimes and helping folks, they pain the town red. It was twisted wicked fun, and I look forward to seeing where the next volumes take us to!

Thank you to NetGalley and MadCave Studios for allowing me to read this wicked ebook ARC! I look forward to reading more from this artist!

It was an entertaining and humor at the same time. I have to admit I like the slasher part. The slasher comic where Riley is the apprentice and also the twist where she kills her master. It’s strangely fitting she kills her master in the end. And I kind of found it funny in a disturbing way the slasher bit.

I’ve always been a huge fan of slasher movies and books, and this one truly delivers on every front. The storyline is gripping from the very first page, with just the right mix of suspense, gore, and mystery to keep you hooked. Each scene builds tension perfectly, making it impossible to stop reading. The artwork complements the plot beautifully, adding depth and atmosphere to every moment. What I loved most is how the story leaves you wanting more—the open climax teases future events without giving away too much. It’s the kind of read that keeps you eagerly waiting for the next volume.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for The ARC!

I really loved the artwork and the story was also enjoyable! The dark grotesque ways the characters dies was interesting to read. I loved the way we followed the killers through a podcast and their movements. The dark humor, the classic slasher kills, It's nostalgic with a modern twist that I think melded in pretty well.

This was a pretty good story! I enjoyed the art and the overall plot. I had a feeling I knew what Riley was doing from the very beginning. It seemed too calculated. The death scenes were all very gruesome but original. I don't think I've seen a lava lamp used in such a way before in a horror movie or book. Overall I was very intrigued and want more about Riley and her story but I don't think there will be more.

Dark, twisted, and grotesque; however, very predictable.. Although it may seem a short review, I found it a decent quicky tale for those wanting to fill in their dark side. Even then it dragged because the plot from start to finish was easily predicatble.

Leading us into the spooky season, I was lucky to be given an advance reader copy of the upcoming graphic novel from Mad Cave studios: The slashers apprentice. This is an excellent entry into the horror genre for anyone who loves exploring where the line of ‘true crime obsessed’ can become fuel for actual violence.

The five chapter graphic novel focuses on Riley, a horror podcaster who highlights the crimes and theories behind infamous killers. We follow Riley as she tracks the movements of the Hopton Valley Killer. He's been at this for years, a prolific figure but one that is fading from public view as many of the 'golden era' killers often do. So, after gathering her proof and setting things up perfectly to ensure that she has the lion-masked killer's attention, she makes her case: Let me be your apprentice.

It's dark humor, slasher gore and a campy sort of violence that harkens to the tone of Scream or Halloween while also approaching it from a new angle that was great to read.

The art style also knocks it out of the park- matching the tone of the work and really digging deep with creative kills and lots of little Easter eggs that have you scanning the panels to catch all of the details. It's a solid work, and while the twist might be evident to those of us who are just as obsessed with the genre as our heroine, it makes it no less entertaining. It's a fun switch up and makes you want for all of the sequels with all of the flashback stories.

Thank you to Mad Cave and Netgalley for the chance to write my review! I look forward to finding more from this studio and artist.

#horrorbooks #horrorreviews #netgalleyreviewer #netgalley #theslashersapprentice

This was definitely an interesting story to say the least. For those looking for a new horror read, please note that this story is very graphic and gorey. I kind of wanted to know more about both killers, mostly what the motivation was. It just felt like killing people at random for the fun of it. Which I guess can work but doesn't really follow the motive of most modern killers.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Mad Cave Studios for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: True crime, slasher horror

I loved this. It was so different and fun. I love the art style. I couldn't put it down.I finished it basically as soon as I started it. I highly recommend this!

Colors, art, the pannels, that help tell the story in my opinion done well. It's the right kind of dark and the art is perfection.. The way things where layed out to tell the story was flawless.
As for the story we follow Riley who has her own podcast and is obsessed with serial killers and slasher. She searches for her favorite ledgend killer Hopto. Valley Killer. He wears a old school lion Halloween mask. When she finds him she asks to be his Apprentice. The story takes off from there.
This is a dark instering story and it felt too short. It is very quck read and I did enjoy myself. If you like slashers definitely pick this Graphic Novel up.

4.5⭐
When a "true crime" podcast becomes a little too... true.

Without saying much, it's giving "Slasher Nimona". Please tell me you see the vision?

Absolutely stunning artwork too! 10/10 would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I actually really enjoyed this book. I think the ending was a little obvious, but it was still a fun time overall. The graphics were insane and the book was super gory. I plan on reading the rest of them for sure!

The cover and title caught my attention. The description and absurd premise made me want to read this one badly. I knew I wanted a quick and light read, something familiar but with a twist.

And The Slasher’s Apprentice delivered!

Spoilers Ahead!

The Slasher's Apprentice by Justin Richards, Val Halvorson, Rebecca Nalty, & Buddy Beaudoin
What I liked:

The prologue opens with a podcast narrating the story of a notorious serial killer breaking into someone’s home and murdering their entire family. All except one survivor—a child who was hiding and the killer missed. From there, we follow Riley, a podcaster who runs a podcast titled ‘Knife Life’ and is obsessed with serial killers. She tracks down the infamous Hopton Valley Killer—a mute murderer who’s gone decades evading capture, and continues to terrorize society in a lion mask.

Riley finds him and blackmails him with evidence. Her ask: she wants to be his apprentice. What follows is a sick and twisted series of murders where Riley acts as an intern to this murderer, constantly providing logistical support, reconnaissance, and unsolicited advice on how to remain relevant in the modern age of social media trends.

The Slasher’s Apprentice was a delight to read. Slasher films were a guilty pleasure for me growing up. They continue to scratch an itch every other month. I’m biased towards classic slashers, which is a good thing because this graphic novel is full of references to the classics. From the cabin in the woods to drunk teenagers getting offed at parties, to even the final girl trope that gets a nice social media live twist, reading this book brought a twisted sense of comfort because of all the familiar.

Val Halvorson beautifully realizes Justin Richard’s weird story with illustrations that perfectly balance the realistic gore with palatable comic strip designs. Every panel featuring the killers’ attacks evoke the right sense of terror with their use of color and shades. The non-slasher portions get their neutral treatment with murderous paraphernalia resting in the background. The artwork was what really hooked me, especially because I kept perusing every panel to see if I could catch an extra easter egg or reference.

The story itself is pretty straightforward, which works in favor of The Slasher’s Apprentice. With the vibes and tone set so perfectly, I’m glad the story delivered exactly what it promised without trying to complicate matters and ending up being pretentious. The simplicity of the story lays the grounds for you to immerse yourself in this world and really engage with the idea of a serial killer’s apprentice—an absurd enough premise to hook you and keep you going.

A beautiful homage to the slasher genre, this is a story that would adapt brilliantly as an indie slasher film, if any up-and-coming filmmakers are looking to experiment with their craft.


What I didn’t like:

There’s nothing to not like here, if I’m being honest. My favorite slasher films don’t really have great storylines, but always nailed the vibes.

That being said, the main story (Riley’s story) does stretch your suspension of disbelief. You can see the twist coming from a mile away, but a lot remains unexplained. If you’re one to feel annoyed at things not fully revealing themselves, you might feel a pinch of dissatisfaction in the end.

However, that’s about the only minor issue I had with the book. I genuinely enjoyed every other bit.


In Conclusion:

A sick twist on slasher films, this graphic novel with all its gory artwork evokes the best of the genre. Short, quick paced, The Slasher’s Apprentice hits all the right cords.


TL;DR:

What I liked: Pretty much everything, slasher film references & tropes

What I didn’t like: A few unanswered questions that stretch your suspension of disbelief.