This is a cool and quirky supernatural graphic novel. Oscar Zahn is a really great character. The star of the show is the art, though, and it is incredible. The full page panels are especially impressive and true works of art. I will definitely recommend to students interested in art, especially the ones interested in darker stories.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

This includes 2 full story arcs plus a couple of short vignettes. I enjoyed the stories and the artwork. I think the blurb is misleading - the tone is darker than just some heartwarming misadventures. There are full grown adults with decisions they regret and feel like they need to pay penance for. Characters make decisions that have serious consequences. I enjoyed that the characters weren't shallow and had a bunch of baggage that was still affecting them.

The first volume of the horror graphic novel “The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn” by Tri Vuong follows the paranormal investigator Oscar Zahn on his mission to save lost souls while battling his own demons.

I really liked the illustration style! The colors enhanced the atmosphere and the panels were visually pleasing. The protagonist looks really iconic and I was intrigued by his backstory. The way it developed through the different episodes was great!
I also enjoyed the narration style with implemented flashbacks and the episodic character of the cases.

However I did not resonate with every story. Especially the story about the world war didn't have the same strangeness and tone as the other ones and didn't fit perfectly into the collection in my opinion.

Overall I enjoyed this graphic novel and would recommend it if you are in the mood for a paranormal read!

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Clarkson Potter/ Ten Speed Press for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Great illustrations and cast of characters.
Interesting concept
Intrigued for more, for sure
I'll be catching up on the webcomic

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for this ARC.

I really loved the vibes of this graphic novel. It had a witchy, ghostly ambiance that would be perfect for spooky season and we’re trying to figure out Oscar’s story and what he became that floating skull.
We switch between timelines as we get insights of his past.
I admit it was kinda confusing at times trying to find out the motives and the purpose of the characters through all the snippets we are given but that made me want to learn more about them and curious enough to read the next volume!

I have to admit that I read quite a few things on Webtoon, but this apparently slipped my notice or I would have probably started reading it there an eon ago. I have fallen a little in love with Oscar Zahn. He has the demeanor of a slightly chipper old world gentlemen. He seems to be kindly and to evoke the best in those around him. He tries to be polite and asks others try to do the same. However, even moreso important, is his empathy for the paranormal entities that he encounters on his adventures.

One of the things that initially drew me to this collection was the imagery. I think that it is beautifully illustrated, with vibrant colors, and some fun details. It’s gorgeous. I will say that it isn’t overly detailed and it isn’t going to have the “pretty” appeal of certain other graphic novels and manga, but I think that highlights the fact that it is a paranormal/horror graphic novel. Despite this, it also has a very cozy vibe because of the wholesomeness of Oscar himself.

Oscar gives off some really cozy and heartwarming vibes throughout the collection of short stories. The first story is mostly a character set-up where we see Oscar’s empathy, then we see a combination of humor and ingenuity in the second. He also seems to know exactly how to bring out the best in his friends or he knows what they need. I loved the side characters, however, I myself would not want to be a side character in this series. Oscar may know what they need, but it may not be what they really had planned.

Overall, I think that fans of paranormal/horror investigation stories will be really pleased with this. It has some whimsy, but also has some eldritch elements. It’s a fun and unique mix. I think that a lot of readers will fall in love with Oscar and his friends. I found the short stories in this to be really engaging. I might go check it out on Webtoon, but I think more likely I’ll just wait for the next installment to come out.

I am 100% in this for the aesthetic, because the art is so on point for what this book is about: whimsical and sentimental adventures relayed by a spirit investigator, who is also a well-mannered, well-dressed floating skull occasionally possessed by a giant eldtrich abomination. But other than that, he is very polite and curious, and occasionally transforms into an airheaded little gentleman with a moustache who carries a bunch of technical oddities on him at all times.

I don't know, guys, I just thought it was charming as a concept. The stories investigated and relayed varied in tone, and I don't think they are the strongest point of the book, but I had a fab time peering at all the inventive little details in the art, admiring the vibe. If you are in for this kind of reading, The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn is a good book to pick up.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This graphic novel follows Oscar Zahn (who is a floating skull) as he treks across land and sea to bring peace to lost souls. There are several plot lines covered in this volume but all circle back to one central mystery. While I enjoyed the read and the artistry was beautiful, I do wish there was more suspense and action. Some stories/plot points felt too drawn out and slow moving for me.

This was an interesting tale, with strange but also familiar imagery. The first few chapters help you get an understanding of how the main character, Oscar Zahn, is now. But the last few chapters help you get some understanding of who he was before. The change from the chapters being episodic to having a larger over-arching plot line was interesting, but it wasn't a completely smooth switch. I did enjoy the elements of cosmic horror and traditional gothic horror imagery, though this is closer to fantasy than horror. I do wish there was a bit more of the "paranormal investigator" element to the story, but there are still ghosts and spirits aplenty. Also, I didn't realize this was originally released in a webtoon format! You couldn't tell at all when reading, they reformatted it wonderfully into a more traditional comic page layout. I very much enjoyed the art style! Their character designs were pretty unique, and a lot of the imagery was amazingly gorgeous.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Wow was the such a good surprise and had me SOBBING multiple times throughout the different journeys we take throughout this first volume of stories. There is so much covered in this first volume and the very first story has some of the most beautifully painful artwork I've ever seen. The depiction of grief and pain of different types is stunning. I honestly cannot believe how well grief was captured in this piece of work.

I am looking forward to the next volume and can't wait to continue learning about Oscar's story and the stories of others he feels that he's compelled to tell. At the heart of it, this is a story about a person trying to heal his their own grief through healing others. It's a beautiful piece of art.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

this was absolutely so stunning! the visuals were crazy good and the story?!? amazing! sometimes the story felt a little choppy but overall was really easy to follow along!

Well, let me just add this to my growing list of graphic novels I love! This one checked all the boxes for me, as someone who is picky when reading a graphic novel. The story was amazing, it was easy to pick up and follow what was happening. I was never really confused by what was going on. There is a fair bit of fantasy and supernatural elements, but also these moments that evoke a range of emotions. I really think the art style really helped sell the story and what was told. The story and art worked as a cohesive unit, create something amazing! It is a solid start, to what I hope is going to be an amazing series!

I am for sure going to pass this one along to my library's teen librarian! I think it is one that would go out well, and is one that would definitely peak some interest among the teens!

4.5/5

I loved this. I loved the art style and the characters in this book. It was so much fun and I think the fantasy and supernatural elements mixed with the very human emotions of the characters created a great book

I really loved this! Oscar is funny and witty, and I really enjoyed seeing his adventures as a paranormal investigator. I also really loved his assistant Agnes. The art is absolutely beautiful, and there were a few times that the story made me get teary eyed. I can’t wait to continue the story and learn more about Oscar in volume two!