The Nasty: The Complete Series

by John Lees, Adam Cahoon (Artist), George Kambadias (Artist)

The Ring meets Empire Records in THE NASTY , a coming-of-age horror story splattered with dark comedy, as a group of horror movie-loving teens bites off more than they can handle when the most sought-after video nasty ever slips through their fingers, and they are forced to film their own video nasty slasher movie – where evil, screams, and nightmares bleed into reality.

Keep telling “It’s Only a Movie. It’s ONLY a Movie! IT’S ONLY A MOVIE!!!
Isn't it?

CALLING ALL SCARY MOVIE FANS!
MACABRE MAYHEM! SATANIC PANIC!

Scotland, 1994.
Eighteen-year-old Graeme “Thumper” Connell still has an imaginary the masked killer from his favorite slasher film. Thumper is obsessed with horror and always has been. He fills his time with scary VHS rentals and hanging out with his friends and fellow fans, The Murder Club. But everything changes when his local video shop acquires one of the notorious films known as “video nasties” — films so scary they’re the target of the British Moral Decency League’s crusade to ban and burn.
But it’s only a movie, right?
It’s all just imaginary, isn’t it?

The Nasty is a story about the perception of evil, the power of genre, the love of fandom, the need to create art, oh, and crap-your-pants TERROR! Become a bonafide member of The Murder pick up this book!

For fans of Stranger Things , Stand By Me, IT, The Monster Squad , Donnie Darko , Empire Records , My Best Friend’s Exorcism and other books by Grady Hendrix, fans of Stephen King and Neil Gaiman, Little Monsters (Jeff Lemire & Dustin Nguyen), The Closet (James Tynion IV), The Me You Love in the Dark (Skottie Young & Jorge Corona), Giant Days , Afterlife With Archie, Killadelphia (Rodney Barnes & Jason Shawn Alexander), and Proctor Valley Road.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics

200 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2024

Reviews

[Valéria. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of the great works of John Lees. A bit more wordy than I am used to when it comes to his horror stuff, but still quite entertaining! Loved the premise, loved the delivery, enjoyed the artwork very much too.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the premise of The Nasty—a group of teens making a horror film and accidentally summoning something dark sounded like a solid setup. But in execution, it didn’t quite work for me.

The heavy lean into 1980s nostalgia just didn’t click. I’m not the biggest fan of stories that center on characters who clearly peaked in high school or romanticize that era. It felt more like a tribute to horror fandom than a fully fleshed-out story with depth or suspense. The plot had potential, but I found myself wanting more actual horror and less throwback energy.

That said, the art was gritty and fitting for the tone, and some horror fans may enjoy the inside jokes and references. It just didn’t resonate with me the way I hoped.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been into the graphic novels for a while now and this is a fun one. Creepy story. Check. Interesting characters. Check. Plenty of horror and some comedy thrown in. Check. And awesome artwork. Check.

The plot was right up my alley. Being big on horror, it would have been a dream come true to make one of my own. But, I have to be satisfied with reading about these characters and the making of their horror movie.

A wild read from start to finish. My first by John Lees and Adam Cahoon and it didn’t disappoint.

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

👧🏻 reviews: I have enjoyed most of the Vault Comics that we have been participating with RockStarBooktours, and I am always happy to be able to read and share my reviews. I have read many Vault comics and they are always great. This one has horror, ghouls and fascinating illustrations in it. I always enjoy comics with vivid and colorful illustrations and the story goes well with the graphics. While reading this, I felt like I was watching the old school horror movies with screaming and terror. Just keep in mind, there will be some gory and a bit of sexual images and contents just like the mangas, but I usually skip through them because to me I prefer the scary scenes which this one has offered plenty. I enjoyed this one too!

[mabuse cast · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent horror comic/graphic novel detailing a group of horror movie fans living during the later half of the UK's "video nasties" moral panic in 1994 and the ups and downs of their lives while trying to re-create a lost video nasty horror film they promised to show for a group of like-minded horror fans!

Honestly some of the legit supernatural stuff in this can get a bit in the way of the very real horrors of censorship/prudery from the moral guardians it depicts but this is a genuinely warm and loving ode to horror films and the outsiders who find comfort in them! This might be my favorite comic/graphic novel I have read this year so far! It genuinely floored me in a way I was not expecting at all!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this quite a bit. It's set at a failing video store that specializes in horror movies. To save the store, they put on a horror festival showing a movie that's so gruesome it's not allowed to watch at home. I'm not sure what the laws were in Great Britain at the time, but this seems like it could have been legit. There's also some crazy woman who is part of some League of Decency who is trying to put a stop to it. I remember those stupid groups here too, always in everyone else's business. Anyway something happens to this horror movie and the kids decide to make their own since no one has actually ever seen it. Oh yeah, the director of this film also has a slasher imaginary friend who is becoming real as they start filming. I know it's a lot but John Lees makes it work.

[_ArtsyChild · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

From the same author of Hotell, here comes a story about how the perception of evil, the power of roles and genre can create misconceptions, but at the same time can unite people.
Horror can unite even the most unexpected group of friends, even a whole town...

Slow start, it lacked engagement for the reader, but it maintained its purpose the whole time. The story had plot, character development, and depth.

But in the end, they added a villain that could've been exploited way more. I was expecting it to be an epic battle between the "monster" and Red Ennies to let the movie be projected for the people in town. Idk, I expected an epic ending, but it was still cute.

[Jeff J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Want to be honest regarding thoughts on what is a slight almost YA graphic novel about the love of horror movies. It was a blend of cliches and tropes from similar films and stories with a Scott Pilgrim vibe. It was fun reading and very sweet in moments, but ultimately too simplistic and not really aimed at me as an audience, I’d imagine. Group of video store clerks get together to make a horror movie because the video nasty they were going to watch destroys itself, which they never really address again.

Dialogue was again sincere but very expository.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Nasty is very much a love letter to the horror genre while also bringing some fun twists into the mix. It’s easy to tell how much love and knowledge of the genre Lees has. Thumper and his friends have a lot of qualities that are very relatable and making their horror movie together is a way for the group to bond.

Adam Cahoon (and George Kambadais for issue 1 & 2) does an excellent job capturing this horror story in a more cartoonish way which works so well with twisting some of the expectations for the story. The story would not work if not for the colors by Russell, who is able to evoke so much emotion throughout just by changing up background colors or using different colors in scenes.

I highly recommend this graphic novel if you are a horror fan!

[el · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute graphic novel that, while the horror content was adult-leaning, was mostly about a teen looking back on his childhood in the midst of creating his own horror movie, while having an invisible friend who resembles an actual serial killer of his town. The illustrations are fun and upbeat in appearance, which offsets the plot and context. Well done, but a bit cute to really get horror feels.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1990s Scotland,The Nasty tells the story of teenager Graeme, his imaginary friend, Ennis, and their group of corporeal friends, the Murder Club. The Murder Club meets regularly at their local video store Monster-Dome to share their passion for horror movies. Monster-Dome’s owner Deb is a sort of patron to the group. She provides them with the space and snacks to watch the movies.

The Monster-Dome is in financial trouble, which means the club may lose its hangout. Deb has an idea though. She’s gained possession of a VHS tape of "The House of Creeping Flesh," a rare “Video Nasties” film. The “Video Nasties” is a 72-film collection of the world’s scariest movies. They are also rumored to be cursed. Most of these movies have been destroyed, making "The House of Creeping Flesh" an even greater accomplishment.

Deb’s plan is to revitalize her store by inviting a renowned horror convention to the town and debuting the film. When the tape is eaten by her VCR, Graeme proposes the group make their own horror movie in its place. Ennis somehow becomes corporeal too and becomes the homicidal monster in their movie. This is when the trouble starts.

Though I felt it was a little oversimplified, "The Nasty" effectively addressed the changing social dynamics that come when people and places grow older. This includes social norms (I didn’t mention that the group also must tussle with a moral decency activist), places like your local video store, and personal growth.

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good horror graphic novel and I loved its unique concept. The different art styles and color palettes really helped bring the story to life. Overall this was a great read that horror lovers should enjoy.

Thank you to Vault Comics for the gifted copy.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5. While it's a bit on the nose at times and there are one or two elements that don't work for me, this is overall a really fantastic love letter to the horror genre with a lot of heart and believable characters. And as always it's nice to read something set in Glasgow.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, funny and heartfelt graphic novel that blends Slashers and cursed film stories with Drop Dead Fred, the Video Nasties panic in the UK, One Cut of the Dead, and a genuine interest in why the horror genre captures the imaginations and saves the lives of people like me. I loved it

[Aziza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was very interesting, and the illustrations were chef's kiss. I really loved the main character who loves horror movies.

[Joe Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Connor Relyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun graphic novel that’s an ode to horror movies, growing into the adult you’ll be and the creative process. Not as scary as I would have liked but still a good read for the Halloween season.

[Bob Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun homage to video nasties. Very well drawn with interesting characters (especially evil Cynthia Crudgill) and a lot to say. Though I wish I got the 3D chapter to work.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nasty: The Complete Series by John Lees is about a group of horror movie-obsessed friends who try to create their own horror movie.

In Scotland in 1994, eighteen-year-old Graeme “Thumper” Connell loves horror movies and is obsessed with them. He loves them so much that his imaginary friend is the masked killer from his favorite slasher film. His imaginary friend from childhood is still with him as an adult. He and his friends enjoy spending time watching new horror movies and they created a club, The Murder Club, to showcase their love for it. When one of the club members gets their hands on an elusive and notorious film known locally as a “video nasties”, everything begins to change. The movie is so scary that it was a target of the British Moral Decency League’s crusade to ban and burn the videotape. However, that’s not the only thing that makes the film notorious. When the Murder Club watches the film, weird things begin to happen.

The graphic novel was an easy straightforward read. There was some blood and gore but nothing scary to get nightmares over. The plot was easy to guess and there weren’t any twists or turns. The artwork was well done and fun. The graphic novel would be a fun read for any horror fans.