Teens trapped in a loop with many, many bizarre variations that usually involve them going to prom (sometimes they don't make it) and always results in most of them getting violently murdered are shocked when things begin to change. While they are still stuck... the scenarios are changing in ways they never have before, and some of the ones who are killed aren't coming back.

This was a fun, surprisingly gruesome take on the "death-loop" story with a little more to chew on than the usual entry in the genre. Nice art, funny scenarios, and a lot of heart make this stand out.

With each of Jude Ellison S. Doyle's miniseries, I have come to expect something deep, dark, brooding, and fantastic. However, Dead Teenagers is a slight change of pace for the horror writer. Instead, we get a 1990s style horror romp with a playful time loop that entertains in ways you'd be surprised and outstanding artwork by Caitlin Yarsky.

Since 1997, five friends have been trapped in the ultimate nightmare as a mysterious entity forces them to relive their first prom night over and over again...and re-kills them in new and increasingly insane ways each time. They dress up. They party. They make out. And no matter what they try to change, they always die...until now. Something is about to break the cycle that has kept Alicia, J.T., Ryder, Brandy, and their group of friends locked in a bizarre purgatory beyond all understanding...but what they find on the other side will be the most disturbing revelation of all.

Now, time loop concepts are nothing new. We have seen them time in and time out in comics, books, movies, and television. However, what Doyle has been able to accomplish in Dead Teenagers is something truly special. Not only does he drop us in the middle of the dilemma this group of teenagers are in, giving us the feeling we have been we have been stuck alongside the them the entire time, but also changes things each time the teens are killed on prom night. This made for such a unique and fun experience, allowing for some unique storylines.

Known for their dark horror carrying some pretty emotional weight, Doyle brings a playfulness to the pages of Dead Teenagers that are both fun, yet also frightening. The horrors that take place are scary, but what's even more terrifying is the teens enduring these things over and over, all while just trying to figure out what life is like and how to grow up. All that said, the story still has some deeper meanings that you pick up along the way.

I am a huge fan of the Scream film franchise and while nothing really matches what you get from those films, and similar films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer or even Final Destination. Dead Teenagers gives us a story that was inspired by someone who loves those films, but adds their own spin. It also feels like a blend of Groundhog Day and Happy Death Day, which also made it easy to love.

What makes this comic feel so complete is not just the story by Doyle, but the artwork by Yarsky. That playful horror I mentioned earlier is only solidified by the illustrations and bright colors on each and every page. Yarsky has to deal with coming-of-age teenagers, while also tackling dinosaur style monsters and so much more.

Dead Teenagers is another one of those stories by Jude Ellison S. Doyle that had me hooked from the first page. Doyle's ability to craft a horrifying story with meaning, but also adding a spin to the tale that makes you stick around is like no one else. Add in the playful horror artwork by Caitlin Yarsky, not to mention lettering by Becca Carey, and you get one of hell of a horror comic.

Amazing! Gorgeous art. The detail of some shots was incredible. Its like a mash up of life is strange meets final destination. I loved the concept! Despite how short it is, the characters are written so well I found myself feeling for them and their situation. I would love to see more! Its a shame it wasn't longer. Great for comic and horror lovers.

Perfect for Fans of Freaky, Totally Killer, and It’s a Wonderful Knife!

Dead Teenagers is Jude Ellison S. Doyle’s love letter to the slasher genre. And readers best prepare for the best when they get their hands on this story. What a bloody, brilliant love letter it is. This graphic novel digs beneath the surface of every horror movie trope you thought you knew, examining why we love our slashers full of all the dead teenagers. Doyle is smart, funny, and incredibly insightful, weaving together film criticism, history, social commentary into this beautifully woven story that is full of scare tactics and piles of bodies. As someone who consumes a ridiculous amount of horror, I found myself constantly searching for all the nice Easter Eggs hidden within these pages. Whether you're a casual horror fan or the person who can debate final girls and slasher villains for hours, Dead Teenagers is a fascinating deep dive into the genre that will leave you looking at horror through a completely different lens. The ending will leave you breathless and you’ll be begging for more! Do you wish to continue?

As someone who grew up in the 90's, this fits in perfectly with vibe of so many teen horror movies, there's teenage relationships, who's going out with who and sneaking behind who's back... Plus plenty of gore as these teens are stuck in a time loop and get to experience thousands of different, and often bizarre, ways to die.
Again, because of the 90's slasher film vibes, it wasn't hard to figure out who the killer was etc. but I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, especially with the fact that we got to see some of the odd ways in which they die.

This graphic novel was awesome!!! I loved every second of it. It had the nostalgia of nineties horror like the Scream Franchise, mixed with real life video game play vibes. These 5 teenagers have been stuck reliving the same day (their first prom night) on repeat where by the end, all but one of them die in a terribly gruesome fashion. My favourite part was all of the ridiculous, silly and far-fetched ways they manage to die each time, from tiny killer clowns to a giant blue lizard. No matter what they do, they can't seem to change their fate...(until now...). Loved all the characters and felt they were actually fleshed out really well for a graphic novel with such a rapid-fire cycle of events occurring at any one time.

This is 10000% the kind of story I love reading. It's video game-esque format mixed with slasher-core made it an incredibly fun story to read and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a silly, outlandish horror movie like myself!! While there were a few inconsistencies in the plot, I still very much enjoyed it and I don't feel like they detracted from the narrative too much.

OMG! I think this is a new favorite!

I went into this expecting a wild ride with a slasher-time-loop, but it was so much more. I really loved the characters, colors, and art style. But I think what made this a favorite is the humorous nature of the insane deaths juxtaposed with the hard-hitting reality of life after high school. I could never guess what was going to come next, and because of that, I was hooked from page one. I literally could not put it down.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this graphic novel as an eARC! I greatly appreciate it!

I picked this one up because I loved Jude Ellison S. Doyle's Be Not Afraid, and after reading this, I do believe it's safe to say I'm a fan of his work! This was schlocky slasher fun with a villain I didn't see coming, and I had a blast the whole way through!

Five out of five stars to Dead Teenagers!

Daniel Hurst has become one of those authors I can always rely on when I'm in the mood for a fast-paced psychological thriller, and The Girlfriend's Secret didn't disappoint. From the very first chapter I knew someone wasn't telling the whole truth, and I loved trying to untangle the web of lies before everything came crashing down. The pacing is relentless without ever feeling rushed, and every chapter seemed to end in a way that made it impossible not to keep reading. I also appreciated that the twists felt earned instead of being thrown in purely for shock value. Even when I thought I'd figured everything out, Hurst still managed to surprise me. This was one of those books I finished in almost a single sitting, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone who loves domestic thrillers filled with secrets, manipulation, and plenty of unexpected turns.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dead Teenagers by Jude Ellison S. Doyle is a sharp, unsettling, and thought-provoking horror novel that uses fear as a way to explore deeper issues of identity, trauma, grief, and the ways society treats young people. Doyle creates a story that is both disturbing and emotionally powerful, blending horror with meaningful commentary.

The atmosphere is filled with tension and unease, while the characters bring a sense of vulnerability and complexity that makes the story hit harder. This is not just a book about the terrifying things that happen—it’s about the emotions, experiences, and systems that shape the characters long before the horror begins.

Doyle’s writing is bold and memorable, creating a story that challenges readers while still delivering suspense and unsettling moments. Fans of literary horror, social commentary, and character-driven stories will find Dead Teenagers to be a haunting and unforgettable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of Dead Teenagers!

I was looking forward to reading this based solely on the horror aspect and the 90s vibes. I didn't realize how queer and wonderful it was going to be! The characters are impeccable and I loved Claire and how you never see her full face as a teen. I loved how the artist illustrated that. Ugh, gods I loved that! And the twist ending? *chefs kiss*

Creepy, moving, queer, and incredibly fun. Highly recommend.

A funny and tense exploration of growing up, Dead Teenagers pitches a quintet of teens in a seemingly endless time loop of a multiverse wherein they must evade death and try to mature a little. Funny and satisfying and with great representation.

Okay, this was WEIRD. 😂 And I mean that in the best way.

Five friends have been stuck reliving their 1997 prom night over and over again, and every single time they find a new and absolutely insane way to die. We're talking monsters, ridiculous accidents, and some seriously creative kills. It gave me major Happy Death Day meets Groundhog Day vibes with a heavy dose of 90s slasher horror.

The premise alone had me hooked because I kept wondering what crazy way they were going to die next. Some of the deaths were so ridiculous that I couldn't help but laugh, even when they were completely horrifying. 😂

But underneath all the blood and chaos, there's actually a surprisingly emotional story about growing up, being afraid of the future, and realizing that high school isn't supposed to be the best part of your life. I really liked that message, and I wasn't expecting the story to get as meaningful as it did.

The artwork was also SO good and fit the story perfectly. It really captured that colorful, campy 90s horror vibe.

My only complaint is that I wanted MORE. The story is pretty short, and I think some of the characters and emotional moments could have been developed a lot more. I also felt a little confused at times trying to figure out exactly what was happening with the time loop.

Still, this was such a fun, bizarre little horror read. If you love slashers, weird time loops, creative deaths, 90s nostalgia, and horror that doesn't take itself too seriously, definitely give this one a try.

And honestly... after dying 11,000+ times, I'd be ready to just give up too. 😂

Dead Teenagers was a really interesting graphic novel with fantastic illustrations. Unlike anything I’ve read before I loved the loop and how it all worked. The bizarre nature of the deaths, the growing mystery and everything just worked so well.

‘Dead Teenagers’ Review: Time Loops, Teen Feelings, and Weird Deaths

I was curious about Dead Teenagers from the start because I love Jude Ellison S. Doyle’s writing. Be Not Afraid hit me hard, and it showed how powerful Jude’s horror can be when the scary part is not just the monster, but everything underneath it. So when I saw Dead Teenagers, I knew I wanted to read it.

The premise sounds more conventional at first: five friends trapped since 1997, forced to relive their first prom night over and over while something keeps finding new and increasingly insane ways to kill them. And listen, I am never against a good “teenagers keep dying horribly” setup. But a few pages in, you realize this series is doing a lot more than that.

What Is Dead Teenagers About?
Dead Teenagers follows a group of friends from the Class of ’97 who have been trapped in a prom-night nightmare for decades. They remember dying. A lot. Every time they try to get through the night, something new gets them. Sometimes it is scary. Sometimes it is ridiculous. Sometimes it is so unhinged that I had to stop and appreciate the commitment.

Mini clowns. Medium-sized lizards. Sure. Why not. This nightmare has range. But the book is not just “prom night, death, reset, repeat.” That would have been fun enough, honestly, but Dead Teenagers starts getting more interesting when the cycle shifts and the characters suddenly wake up as adults.

They remember the deaths. They remember being trapped. So of course, there is this feeling that maybe they finally escaped. Maybe they made it out. Maybe they somehow got the lives they were supposed to have. Except it is not that simple, because this is horror and apparently nobody is allowed to have peace.

That adult scenario is where the story really clicked for me. It is not just about surviving a loop anymore. It is about waking up inside a life you do not fully understand, carrying memories of dying over and over, and trying to figure out what parts of you are real, what parts were stolen, and what parts never got the chance to grow.

The Trade Made It Hit Harder
I followed Dead Teenagers monthly, but I also got to read the trade paperback advance edition (thanks to the publisher!) and honestly, I liked it more that way.

The monthly issues were fun, but reading it all together made the emotional pieces connect better. There are details that are easier to miss when you are waiting between issues, especially because the book is jumping between the prom-night nightmare, the deaths, the adult scenario, and all the weird little clues that only start making sense later. In the trade, those connections feel stronger.

One detail that really stood out to me was Morgan. In the death scenarios, Morgan is usually the one hiding, which already says a lot. Then, in the adult scenario, the character we first knew as Morgan is now Claire, a trans woman. And I really liked how that landed.

It is not treated like a gimmick or a “big reveal” for shock. It just adds another layer to the bigger question of the book: who would these people have become if they had been allowed to actually live their lives?

That is what makes the adult scenario so good. It is not only about the fact that they are older. It is about all the things they may have missed on the way there.

The Characters Are What Made Me Care
As expected from Jude Ellison S. Doyle, there are queer characters, messy relationships, buried feelings, and people dealing badly with emotions they do not fully know how to say out loud (which, honestly, is very high school)

What I loved is that each character has something recognizable in them. Their fears, their attitudes, the way they hide, the way they want attention, the way they try too hard, the way they want to be liked, the way they pretend something does not hurt when it obviously does. I saw a bit of myself in each of them.

Not in the “trapped in a prom-night death loop” way, thankfully. More in the uncomfortable emotional stuff. The hiding. The wanting someone to notice you. The not knowing what to do with your feelings. The fear that if people see too much of you, they will not like what they find. That is why the series worked for me beyond the blood and the crazy deaths.

The murders are fun. The deaths are creative. The horror is entertaining. But the reason I actually cared is because the book understands that teenage feelings can be their own kind of monster. And then it makes those feelings follow the characters into adulthood, where they are still messy, still painful, and still very much unresolved.

The Ending Got Me
For a “dying again and again” kind of plot, I thought I had a few possible endings in mind. I was wrong.

The resolution genuinely surprised me, which does not always happen. Usually I can guess where these kinds of stories are going, or at least get close enough to feel smug about it. This one got me in a way that made me go, “Wait, what?” but in a good way.

And the best part is that it does not feel like a random twist just for the sake of having one. The pieces are there, but the book does not scream at you to notice them. It lets the weirdness build until the full picture starts to make sense.

That made the ending really satisfying for me. It is still bloody and strange and very much horror, but it also gives the story more emotional weight. The loop is not just a game. The adult scenario is not just a trick. It all means something.

Caitlin Yarsky Makes the Nightmare Work
A story this strong needed the right artist, and Caitlin Yarsky absolutely delivers. The book has to move between teen horror, adult confusion, queer identity, ridiculous death scenarios, emotional breakdowns, and whatever the hell those mini clowns were doing. That could have been a mess, but the art keeps everything connected.

Yarsky makes the characters feel expressive and readable even when the story is going completely off the rails. The deaths are weird and bloody, but the characters never feel like disposable bodies. You still feel their panic, their confusion, their frustration, and sometimes their complete exhaustion with the nightmare they are stuck in.

The adult sections work really well too, because the art lets you feel that these are the same people, but not exactly. They are older, changed, shaped by lives they do not fully understand, and still carrying the emotional mess of who they were before. That is a hard balance, and the book pulls it off.

The Coven’s Verdict
Dead Teenagers is weird, bloody, emotional, and much smarter than the premise first suggests.

At first, it looks like a fun prom-night horror story where teenagers die in increasingly ridiculous ways. And it is that. Very much that. But it is also about identity, regret, queer characters, messy feelings, and the versions of ourselves we might become if we actually get the time to figure things out.

I loved the murders and the unhinged death scenarios, obviously. But what made me love the book was how much I saw myself in the characters. Their fears. Their hiding. Their need to be liked. Their messy feelings. Their very human ways of not dealing with things.

This was so much fun. I went in expecting a standard slasher homage, but Dead Teenagers skips the whole "confused teens slowly figure out they're in a time loop" phase and drops you straight into a prom where the kids have already died dozens of times—and they're mostly just annoyed by it.

The dark comedy hits immediately. Having the characters treat gruesome deaths like routine inconveniences gives the story a really distinct, punchy rhythm. Jude Ellison S. Doyle nails the '90s nostalgia without letting it feel like cheap gimmickry, and Caitlin Yarsky’s art carries so much personality. The facial expressions alone do a ton of heavy lifting for the comedic timing.

If you like Happy Death Day, Scream, or horror comics that don't take themselves too seriously while still delivering great character dynamics, definitely pick this up.

Huge thanks to Oni Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book has such an incredible concept. I found myself wanting to go through every iteration of the characters' deaths. What a cool ending!