The Slasher's Apprentice

by Justin Richards, Rebecca Nalty (colorist), Buddy Beaudoin (letterer)

Genres: Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Contemporary

120 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Justin Richards is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, and he is Creative Director for the BBC Books range. He has also written for television, contributing to Five's soap opera Family Affairs. He is also the author of a series of crime novels for children about the Invisible Detective, and novels for older children. His Doctor Who novel The Burning was placed sixth in the Top 10 of SFX magazine's "Best SF/Fantasy novelisation or TV tie-in novel" category of 2000.

Reviews

[MagretFume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, twisted, gruesome and surprisingly wholesome at times. 

It was a little bit too short for my taste. In my opinion, it would have benefited for more development of the relationship between the characters. 

Overall a fun original read. If you like slashers, go for it. 

Thank you Mad Cave Studios for this ARC!

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Slasher's Apprentice by Justin Richards is a bloody good time and a fun twist on the whole slasher movie vibe. The art is really solid, and the deaths are super brutal, just how you'd want them to be. Following the main lead is a blast, too. She's fun as hell and evil as all get-out, which makes for an awesome and different kind of story where you're rooting for the bad guy. It's a nice play on all those slasher tropes, making it feel fresh even while it's tipping its hat to the classics.

My one major complaint, though? The reveal is so weak. It's SO obvious who the killer is from a mile away. It's kind of a bummer because it takes the wind out of the sails of the mystery. Still, that's just a small part of a really solid read. Even with that predictable reveal, the book delivers on the gore, the art, and the evil main character. If you're into slashers and great visuals, you'll dig this. A 4 out of 5.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️ 2 stars ⭐️

Serial killer fan meets her idol and asks to become his apprentice.

“Could we at least go at a faster pace than ‘menacingly slow?’”

This was an interesting idea, but it really fell short for me. There was no suspense, no twist, just cheap slasher gore.
The main characters were very flat and didn’t add any depth to the storyline. Especially the serial killer. I expected some crazy scary dude, not a dumbass in a lion mask.
Maybe if this were longer with more tension and build-up it’d be more entertaining, but as is it’s really lacking.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Mireya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the ARC copy of The Slasher's Apprentice. This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

In "The Slasher's Apprentice", we meet Riley, a podcast-er obsessed with serial killers and slashers, recounting their horrible deeds to her audience, while she looks for her favorite legend: the Hopton Valley Killer. Antique, dangerous and impossible to catch. She wants to learn, be like them and, hopefully, help regain their long lost notoriety.

I finally found a Mad Cave comic that I loved! Not "mildly enjoy" or "be lightly entertained" by it. No. Fully loved, be enthralled by the story and characters to the point that I sided my other activities until I finished this. Really, I don't I went so fast through their other comics, and not because they weren't good, but they didn't pick my interest and attention so deeply. Congratulations to the author for it, it's not always easy.

Riley, the younger generation, a talker, a learner, in search of something, a place to belong to, and she's about to find it. The Hopton Valley Killer (HVK), the older generation, slowly loosing its charm, a legend, a shadow, in need of a new public image. I was anticipating the moment these two met, because I knew they were going to clash, and the tension bleeding from their relationship, Riley always suggesting new things, never quieting down and HVK not communicating properly, created a fun and complex dynamic to watch unfold.

A strong point of TSA is definitely its characters, but more importantly, in my opinion, the personal stories they share and the mystery surrounding the HVK, anonymously killing people for the past decades. I loved how the author decided to developed it and the point it brought up to towards the end. Literal chills when it all unraveled! Same with Riley's backstory and how her love for slashers came to be.

I'm not the most committed fan of slashers, I'll be honest, but when I find a gem, I admit it. And The Slasher's Apprentice took my hand and frayed me, kept me on my toes until the end. Not because of killing teens and young adults (where's the old people, huh?), but because of the emotional aspect it dissected and presented to us on a silver plate. I would follow Riley everywhere, honestly.

So, definitely recommended if you're a fan of slashers, of course, all the action and the blood stains laced with an emotional tale, complex characters and with incredible art that doesn't shy away from showing the nitty gritty of it all. I definitely need more stories like this in my life, funny and serious, with characters to root for and amazing ends

I hope people reads it when it comes out in October so I can have someone to discuss it with, 'cause there where plot points and events that left me gasping, and I'm in need of venting with someone who knows👀

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this arc. I really enjoyed this graphic novel the cover really caught my eye i willl say i wish it was a bit longer but it had a lot of story to it and i enjoyed the plot a lot we first see our main character hosting a podcast about true crime and notorious slashing that occurred and our main character decides to befriend one of the killers and be an apprentice and they decide to go around trying to make him famous again because she feels as people forgot about him this novel had great horror and slasher elements to it and i think if you enjoy true crime / slashers this one would be for you. Was great from start to finish i read it so fast!

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave for the chance to review this ARC*

Full disclosure; I am a huge indie comic book enthusiast. I have several series from Mad Cave in my collection and I was ecstatic when I was approved to read and review The Slasher's Apprentice.

The artwork is gorgeous. Sometimes when I read comics or graphic novels, it can be difficult to determine what is actually happening in an action sequence, but in this collection, I had no issues like that.

This volume was a lot of fun! The pacing is break-neck fast! So much happened so quickly! I almost feel the climax/reveal happened too soon, but on the other hand I also appreciate it not being dragged out.

I really look forward to volume two!

[Audet Maxime · Rating 3 out of 5]

The campy slasher vibe was good, but it's such a short story that everything happens fast, and the twists are predictable. It would have been a lot better with more pages and time for characterization.

[rebekka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anti climactic ending. Foreseen and dull. I actually started with great hopes however fifth issue tried to wrap things in a rush. I would love to see more conflict erm maybe physical fight and tension.

[East of Reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, violent, gory book that will appeal to fans of slasher movies — especially along the Jason, Michael Meyers, and Freddy with the over the top kills, the almost supernaturally powerful killer and all the dead teenagers. The Hopton Valley Killer is a very nice villain with an excellent design and decided presence. Honestly, this five chapter graphic novel is just a fun, violent ride that I had a lot of fun with.

The art is colorful and fluid, and the storyline — the changing of the guard from the old school killers who don’t care about attention and clout to the new breed who want to film their killings, gain notoriety and fans — is interesting. The plot is familiar: a slasher slashing and an apprentice getting off on the violence; the ending is predictable (no spoilers here), but it’s still well done and, as I said before, it’s just fun. Well worth the read.

Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
This story fell completely flat. The premise was supposedly to be Riley learning the skills to become a serial killer to follow her favorite killer's footsteps, but...she doesn't really learn anything? The entire story is Riley trying to organize situations for The Hopton Valley Killer to commit various gruesome murders to regain his notoriety, but this time on social media. But she's never really learning from HVK; she's instead teaching him. This is honestly just a gore fest with a thin veneer of a story. There are several murders that are executed in particularly heinous ways that made me wince. But the "plot twist" at the end was so contrived, I guess it was coming from a mile away. The art was excellent, and I did enjoy the style and character designs. The writing just needed a lot of work to be compelling.


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

[Shiritaku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blut, Splatter und sinnlose Gewalt - an sich ein gutes Rezept, womit ich immer viel Spaß hab. Doch so gut es mir gefallen hat, so hat es mich auch nicht ganz überzeugt.
Ich mag die Szenerie und Umsetzung, auch die Charaktere sind sehr interessant und haben Charme. Doch einiges war doch recht vorhersehbar für mich - etwas zu signifikant 🤔
Das Artwork fand ich gut - sehr markant und dynamisch. Die Charaktere sind anfangs noch ein wenig blass, bekommen aber relativ schnell Farbe. Die Panels sind interessant angeordnet und wirken dadurch sehr agil. Es gibt einen fortlaufenden roten Faden, so dass sich alles ineinander verwebt. Das Ende kam mir dann allerdings etwas zu schnell - da hätte man noch ein bisschen mehr machen können, meiner Meinung nach. Alles in allem hat's mir aber ganz gut gefallen 😊
Erscheinungstermin ist der 28.10.2025.

[Madara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.3/5
Quality of writing: 2
Plot development: 2
Pace: 2
Characters: 2
Enjoyability: 2
Ease of reading: 4

Riley is obsessed with horror and true crime and she wants to take it to the next level - she wants to become the apprentice of her favorite killer...

I will start with the positives - the art was fine.
Unfortunaltelly the rest fell flat for me. Riley as a character felt flat and empty, the comic was waaaaaay too short to make any impact and explore The Hopton Valley Killer. I saw the "twist" from page 2. It did not feel suspense, any danger... It was gory and the kills were well drawn but the rest just felt empty.

Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

THANK YOU NETGALLY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THE ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR A HONEST REVIEW




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.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some true crime podcasters are notorious for trying to solve cold cases or searching for serial killers. But in this graphic novel, a podcaster using their skills to search for a serial killer results in helping them and learning about the “craft.”

Riley is brilliant. She understand how the modern world of influencers and notoriety works, and using those skills to increase the popularity of an old serial killer is **chef's kiss**.

Just the right measure of graphic. The Hopton Valley Killer is brutal and merciless, and it was fun to see what other innovative ways to kill people he would come up with.

Thank you to NetGalley, Justin Richards, and Mad Cave Studios for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.

[Federica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this graphic novel through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

A really nice short horror book, I was positively and unexpectedly surprised. I have to be honest, I was first inspired by the artwork (that was really beautiful) more than by the plot, from which I didn’t expect much. In fact, I couldn’t quite feel a connection with the main female character, but nonetheless I really liked the turn of events the narration took in the last two chapters.

Really nice and splatter reading, I would really recommend to horror genre loving people who see looking for a fast pace entertaining graphic novel.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun! The Slasher’s Apprentice is exactly what I want out of a graphic novel. It was fast-paced, bloody, and completely unhinged in the best way. It doesn’t waste any time getting into the action, and once it starts, it does not let up.

The art? Absolutely stunning. Gritty and expressive. There were pages I just had to stop and stare at because they were that good and that gross. The way the gore is illustrated? Amazing. It’s graphic and over-the-top, and I loved every second of it. The story was sharp and twisted. There's a dark humor threaded throughout that balances the violence perfectly.

I had an absolute blast reading this. Horror fans (especially slasher lovers) are going to eat this up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the ARC.

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gory Masterpiece!

Prepare for Scream meets Friday the 13th meets the Sorcerer’s Apprentice! This was a wild and disturbing departure from your typical slasher. This story gives readers the other side of the story. What starts a journey of discovery into the behind the scenes of a killer, soon turns into a horrifying new mystery. No one is safe in this genuinely terrifying story that I could not put down!

Reader beware, you’re going to have to read this in one sitting otherwise you’ll be desperate for more!

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teen girl with a podcast glorifying local slasher lore finds the best serial killer of the lot, and demands to tag along, as mentor, web assistant and general helpmeet. And that's about it for this quickly read, immediately forgettable comic – hell, one of the characters never says anything so the word-count is certainly on the low side, and this seems to aim for a breezy levity as opposed to much else in the way of drama or surprise. It certainly comes across as a contract-filling throwaway as opposed to any fully-developed idea, and three stars is generous.

[Loreleï Loreleï · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover is awesome!
I saw the twist coming a mile away, but it was still fun to follow!
I was even disappointed that it ended so soon. It was a little too short, even though it was well-paced and efficiently written. I would have gladly signed up for a few more chapters, or even a sequel.
It was a good read, bloody with brutal and trashy deaths, perfect for a fan of horror movies and slashers.

[Radwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, gruesome, kept me on my toes, read it in one setting.

It just has the right balance between gore and intrigue, between dropping clues and taking you by surprise. The comics follow Riley, a girl who was traumatised by a murder she witnessed when she was young, but that manifested as a love for true crime as she starts her own podcast of serial killers, leading her to the path of one serial killer, and her reaction isn't what you'd expect, at first.

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Slasher’s Apprentice is about Riley, a horror podcaster that has become obsessed with the legendary slasher The Hopton Valley Killer. She stalks him and convinces him to make her his apprentice. Together, they work on improving his notoriety. But does she have an ulterior motive?

I loved the artwork! I really enjoyed the level of gore. I honestly wasn’t a fan of Riley’s character. She was kind of annoying. She made me want to root for the Hopton Valley Killer. But the story was a fun quick read!

Thank you, NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios, for the ARC.

[Maxx · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[elijahsreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this was a book I love like 4.5 stars from me. It was a great slasher story. It was engaging, gory and well one f’ed up ride. I will say I wish our slasher talked and engaged with the main character so we could actually feel shock and emotions at the end.

[Tintaglia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Scrittura modesta, tavole poco curate e personaggi stereotipati - ma non in senso buono, non modelli horror da rielaborare.
Perdibilissimo.

[Jacob Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

honest no notes. would highly recommend it. (it is kind of predictable)

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark, twisted, and grotesque; however, very predictable.

[Mhorg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weak with an ending telegraphed a mile away. Went the Dexter route by having the killer accept an apprentice. Yawn.

[Trevor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable, and just read as a lesser BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON to me.

[Ronit J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

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.

Continue reading on SFF Insiders…