Dracula's Brunch Club

by Brian Gonsar, Keenan Gaybba (illustrator)

Have you ever wondered how vampires got their taste for blood? In Dracula’s Brunch Club, it all started with a crimson-red donut, dripping and oozing with spooky secrets—I mean, jelly. Dripping and oozing with non-spooky-tasting JELLY. Get ready to sink your fangs into the hilarious new graphic novel from debut authors Brian Gonsar and Keenan Gaybba!

Count Dracula is not your average vampire. Well, sure, he’s undead, hates garlic, and will burn up in sunlight––but unlike other vampires, he has a knack for baking. And it’s his brunch club’s famous blood-orange-jelly donuts that give his fellow vampires the energy source they need to live forever. But when Transylvania experiences a mysterious jelly shortage, it allows his nemesis, Constantine, to swoop in and steal the brunch club—and the vampires’ loyalty—from Dracula. But it’s not just jelly donuts at stake. When townsfolk start to go missing, Dracula suspects Constantine has far more sinister motives lurking that could threaten everything vampires and humans have worked for. With the help of his chef and human friend, Elena, Dracula must find a new energy source before every vampire and human turns on him and he loses his coveted brunch club forever.

With a foreword from Kevin Jonas of the Jonas Brothers!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Humor, Vampires, Comics, Childrens

224 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[anzhelika ୨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 4 stars ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

this was such a fun graphic novel! who knew vampires could love donuts so much? the art style was great and nostalgic, and i loved the colouring. overall, fun characters and plot! recommend to all ages!

˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley, Oni Press, Brian Gonsar, and Keenan Gaybba for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really cute. It felt like a mixture of Hotel Transylvania with Gravity Falls, but by way of Master Chef. I didn’t know the age range for it when I requested the ARC, but it’s definitely middle grade. I can see kids thinking it is HILARIOUS.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my early ebook.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries]

Cute, just not for me.

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my JAM (or should I say Jelly?) (Blood orange jelly?) Anyway, I fear I may be a graphic novel girlie now.
This was just too cute.
I love vampires, I love a sweet treat, what a win.

[Becca Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute middle-grade vampire story featuring jelly-filled donuts? Now that's my JAM! The Kevin Jonas foreword was also a delightful treat, I'll admit it.

[Alexis Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW (8/12/25): dracula’s brunch club by brian gonsar & illustrated by keenan gaybba 🧛🏻 a comedic graphic novel that reimagines the famous vampire as a restaurateur running a popular brunch spot.

I’m obsessed! it’s been so long since I’ve read a graphic novel & this one didn’t disappoint! we start off with a foreword from kevin jonas… literally one of the jonas brothers 👀 consider me gobsmacked.

🍩 dracula’s brunch club was a wild ride, reminiscent of 90’s cartoons! the color illustrations were beautiful (truly capturing the mood) and kept me equally as invested in the story as the writing. this was all of things: spooky, cozy, goofy & full of jelly filled stakes- pun intended.

if you’re a fan of the hotel transylvania and gravity falls franchises, you will feel right at home here 🖤 I didn’t know until today that I needed vampires & donuts to exist in the same world.

definitely worth the preorder or library request!! thank you oni press for an early copy 🦇 4.5 stars! (rounded up for goodreads)

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

very Cartoon Network coded, perfect for kids or a light read

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dracula’s Brunch Club written by Brain Gonsar is a hilarious, lighthearted twist on vampire lore that reimagines how the undead developed a taste for blood. I genuinely loved this graphic novel, and I think it’s a perfect pick for middle grade readers, but equally fun and enjoyable for older audiences too.

The story follows Count Dracula, a vampire with a flair for baking, whose famous blood-orange jelly donuts power the vampire world. When a sudden jelly shortage hits Transylvania, Dracula’s nemesis Constantine swoops in to steal the spotlight and and Dracula’s beloved brunch club. But the jelly drama quickly turns into something far more sinister, and with the help of his human friend Elena, Dracula must uncover the truth before it’s too late.

The pacing was spot on and kept me engaged from start to finish. I read it in one sitting and was completely drawn in. The characters were fun, quirky, and full of personality, and I’d absolutely love to see a sequel, there’s so much potential for more adventures in this wonderfully weird world.

The artwork by Keenan Gaybba was vibrant and matched the tone of the story beautifully, helping to bring every scene to life in a way that was both whimsical and immersive.

A funny, feel good graphic novel with a fresh take on classic monsters, Dracula’s Brunch Club is a must read for anyone who enjoys clever humor, creative storytelling, and a vampire story that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A donut centred brunch club led by a vampire? Sign me up Jellycup!

This was not at all what I expected but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The illustration style is beautiful and the purple/blue colour scheme speaks to my soul. I just wish the cover would reflect the illustration style inside the graphic novel better. Especially after seeing the bonus content at the end with the other cover designs.

The story was a lovely twist on the usual vampire lore and I love how it all came together at the end. I think my favourite character is Orlok, he is such a precious little bean.

Also, there are two donut recipes at the end ... just saying.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher and the authors for allowing me to read this ARC. I had a great time!

[Keila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lighthearted, witty and fun, Dracula's Brunch Club is graphic novel good for all ages and tastes, whether you're new into the "vampire" genre (if this book falls into that label) or you're looking for something a little different from your usual broody creatures of the dark. Despite my initial reservations, this book had a decent storyline and quirky characters that'll grow on you. And while it touches on vampires drinking blood, it keeps it light enough for them young readers.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was super cute! vampires obsessed with blood, blood orange jelly that is! blood orange jelly donuts to be the most specific.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was doing SOOO good at not requesting too many ARCs and getting overwhelmed and reading them at the very last minute..and here we are. Here's Brian Gonsar and Keenan Gaybba's "Dracula's Brunch Club."

["Count Dracula is not your average vampire. Well, sure, he’s undead, hates garlic, and will burn up in sunlight—but unlike other vampires, he has a knack for baking. And it’s his brunch club’s famous blood-orange-jelly donuts that give his fellow vampires the energy source they need to live forever. But when Transylvania experiences a mysterious jelly shortage, it allows his nemesis, Constantine, to swoop in and steal the brunch club—and the vampires’ loyalty—from Dracula. But it’s not just jelly donuts at stake. When townsfolk start to go missing, Dracula suspects Constantine has far more sinister motives lurking that could threaten everything vampires and humans have worked for. With the help of his chef and human friend, Elena, Dracula must find a new energy source before every vampire and human turns on him and he loses his coveted brunch club forever."]

And, because life is just like that, Kevin Jonas wrote the foreword for this book!

"Constantine is not one to be taking lightly. Neither is a girl with donut cravings." Truuuuth.

Okay, this book was fucking adorbale. It was about friendship and acceptance. But it was also completely and utterly filled with puns and bad jokes. I loved it!

It was definitely a journey. Some things made sense. Some were a little off-the-wall. But it was honestly adorable. A killer for all ages.

#netgalley #arcs #arcteammember
#draculasbrunchclub #briangonsar #keenangaybba #graphicnovel #queergraphicnovel #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Katarina Bodlovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a feel good graphic novel. In this one Dracula hosts a Brunch Club which gets overtaken by another vampire during his 6 month long trip. In order to reclaim his club he has to make his beloved blood orange jelly donuts, only there is one problem. His jelly reserve has gone missing and there is no blood oranges left for purchase anywhere in the village, even the whole country.

Adorable and cutely drawn characters, quick pace and decently interesting story. Even though I'm probably not the target audience for this, as I'm an adult, I've enjoyed the story.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Malli (Chapter Malliumpkin) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC was given by NetGalley & Oni Press.


Content/Trigger Warning: Loss of a parent (recounted), grief, murder, on page depictions of blood, depictions of emesis, poisoning


For the fans of Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, and Hotel Transylvania, this graphic novel is for you! This was really delightful to read and I thought it was such a unique way of doing vampires. I loved that Dracula was a chef and enjoyed baking. It was really wholesome! However, I found a lot of things in this story very predictable. With all of this being said, I think this is a really great fast paced read that many readers will enjoy especially middle grade readers. I think there's a lot of references they'll find humorous and enjoyable.



All thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions are honest and my own.


Instagram|Ko-fi|Throne

[maddie || genre bender ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

my son devoured this in one sitting—like genuinely didn’t move until he finished it. he thought the whole concept was hilarious (vampires powered by jelly donuts? yes please 😂) and kept stopping to tell me random quotes or show me the art.

he especially loved the jelly shortage storyline—said it was “so dramatic but in the best way” lol. he also thought orlok was adorable and asked if there’s going to be a sequel because he’s officially a fan now.

from a parent’s perspective, this was such a fun and fresh twist on vampire lore. the art is vibrant, the humor lands for kids and adults, and it has that perfect middle grade balance of spooky, silly, and sweet. we both loved the bonus donut recipes at the end too��such a fun touch.

huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the early copy! this one’s going on our shelf for sure.

[Athena 💗 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently I decided to dip my toes into the graphic novel world. When I saw an ARC available for Dracula’s Brunch Club I immediately jumped on the opportunity because even though this is a children’s graphic novel, the cover and title looked too adorable to pass up. I’m so glad I did, it was really cute! The illustrations were gorgeous and the writing was actually pretty funny. And of course the romance reader in me appreciated the sweet little crush Dracula had on Elena. Definitely recommend this book for older elementary aged kids.

[Noelle Haycraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet and cute graphic novel!! Our main character is Dracula and all of the blood orange jelly has gone missing in Transylvania! And what's worse, he's being ousted from his Brunch Club. There's only one thing to do, try to find the blood oranges while also keeping the peace between humans and vampires. And maybe make some friends along the way.

This graphic novel is perfect for elementary school-age and older! Thank you to Oni Press for digital ARC.

Happy Reading!!

[Rachel R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dracula’s Brunch Club is a fun, fast read with bold graphics and plenty of goofy humor. It is definitely aimed towards middle grade readers, with the classic teenage-boy jokes. But even as an adult, I laughed out loud a few times.

The story is about a society where vampires and humans coexist. But in this society, the vampires live on blood orange jelly donuts. Fun story and fun read!

The book even includes fun recipes in the back related to foods mentioned in the book.

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dracula’s Brunch Club is an incredibly charming, funny graphic novel about how vampires first discovered that they enjoyed the taste of blood. The concept is super creative and the storyline is more detailed than I anticipated. I would have never thought to pair donuts and vampires! The art style is fun, funky, and nostalgic, and I really liked the color scheme. Each character is full of life, with designs that pop off the page and comical facial expressions. I especially enjoyed Elena and Orlock!

I read this in one sitting, and it was perfect for Summerween! I’d especially recommend this to middle school readers, but I think this could be enjoyed by a variety of ages. Also, while I think it would be a fun Halloween or October read, the spooky elements aren’t so strong that it would feel out of place any other time of year. I rate this 4/5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Gonsar, Keenan Gaybba, and Oni Press for the arc copy of the book in exchange for my review!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was not at all what I expected. Basically a story about how vampires discovered human blood was their fuel and could be substituted for their favorite blood orange jelly. the brunch club exists where humans and vampires can mingle. count Dracula is famous. except another vampire has returned taking over the club and making it a rule thy vampires cannot be with humans. count Dracula doesn't approve of this of course. great story easy to read. illustrations fit the mood perfectly.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

**NetGalley ARC** (thank you!)

I thought this story was very cute. The illustrations were fun. I would never have thought to pair vampires and jelly donuts, so kudos to the author for being unique and creative.

[Megan Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO MUCH FUN. The fact that Dracula doesn’t know drinking blood is helpful to vampires, but thinks that their energy is coming from blood orange donuts is incredible. And that they don’t know you could MAKE vampires? 10/10

And I LOOOOVE a recipe in the back and this one has TWO.

[amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so cute! the only graphic novel i’ve ever read apart from heartstopper and i really enjoyed it. i know it’s more aimed for children but i honestly still really enjoyed it. all the illustrations were perfect and it was funny and cute. i also loved that we had a little romance/crush situation going on. i would definitely recommend it!!

[Theresa Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Dracula’s Brunch Club! It’s a fun, fast read that kept me laughing. It’s a lighthearted twist on vampires with a unique concept – Dracula runs a brunch club that believes in unity between vampires and humans. Middle grade kids will love the humor, spooky vibe, and all the talk of blood orange donuts, but there’s also a deeper message. Vampires and humans learn to co-exist, an important message in today’s world. Overall, wholesome and adorable. :)

[aly✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel. It legitimately made me laugh out loud. Beautiful artwork with a funny yet mysterious storyline. The dry humor was to die for!

[Boooks with Tokyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of “Dracula’s Brunch Club”. What a fun read!! The art style reminded me a lot of “The Powerpuff Girls” and the story reminded me of “Hotel Transylvania”, which is one of my favorite movies! Also, i absolutely love donuts filled with strawberry jam…so this book was pretty much made for me xd. The story was very fun and compelling, i really enjoyed this book!! Also, I think the art style really suits the story 🧛🏻‍♀️🦇🩸

[Isobel Toms · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delicious read! Love the fact the recipes are in the back of the book too

[Vanna Book-Mage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and cute illustrations.

[Shauna Cagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book for the middle school set! It's funny and quirky, with great visual humor and a sweet sensibility!

[Eva Blr · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was cute in a hotel Transylvania way !
Tho the plot was pretty predictable it was enjoyable I liked what they have done with it. I didn't want them to realise that blood was a great source of energy for the vampire to then turn it a bloodshed and the conclusion was satisfying enough !