You'll Do Bad Things

by Tyler Boss, Adriano Turtulici (illustrator)

It’s been ten years since the release of He Came in With a Smile, the true crime smash hit that chronicled the brutal murders committed by the Nursery Rhyme Killer. But in the decade since its release, its author, Seth Holms, hasn’t produced another title. 
Seth wants to write a story with a happy ending, but every time his fingers clack across the keyboard, it always ends in his characters’ deaths. Worse yet? These tales of blood and barbarity that flow so freely from Seth’s imagination are starting to happen in real life…
Turn the page on this mind-bending, giallo-inspired thriller from multi-hyphenate Tyler Boss (What’s the Furthest Place From Here?) and breakout talent Adriano Turtuluci!
Collects all issues #1-6.

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

176 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2025

Reviews

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eerie, Stylish, and Utterly Gripping!

Tyler Boss created a slow-burning horror mystery that blurs the lines between fiction and reality in the most unsettling way. Our hero, Seth Holms, is a true crime author who cannot move on from the success of his first novel, and the pages simply aren't flowing for his future works. However, whatever he does write seemingly translates to the real world with horrifying consequences. Written word and real-life murders combine in a kaleidoscope of action that keeps you off-kilter and engaged!

The artwork done by Turulici here is also stunning and brings this story to life. Each page is colorful in a way that builds suspense and terror. There are giallo-inspired sequences that are delivered with buckets of blood splashed across the pages. This book will keep you hooked and begging for more and I cannot wait to discover more stories by Tyler Boss!

[shereadsbecause · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ‘You’ll Do Bad Things’, we follow Seth, a writer whose only claim to fame is a bestselling true crime book about the “Nursery Rhyme Killer,” a murderer who targeted children. Solving that case put him on the map, but also left him completely stuck. Every story he’s tried to write since seems to twist itself into tragedy, no matter how hard he tries for a happy ending.

Now, with another serial killer terrorizing the city, the line between Seth’s fiction and reality starts to blur. The later issues really lean into that question of how much responsibility does a writer have when their work mirrors, or maybe even inspires, real violence? It’s a sharp, self-aware look at true crime voyeurism, guilt, and the dark side of storytelling.

While I thought the final act felt a bit rushed (I think yall are doing too much in just under six issues anyway), the concept was strong and the execution mostly held up. The pacing between the fourth and sixth issues could’ve been smoother, but the twist landed well enough to make the ride worth it.

And a special mention to the illustrator too! The art style perfectly complements the story’s eerie tone and psychological tension. I haven’t read many thriller-based graphic novels recently, but this one definitely stands on its own.

Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the e-ARC!

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gotta say, the basic idea behind You'll Do Bad Things is really cool, especially that whole meta-narrative with the writer's angle, which definitely elevates the typical serial killer setup. But while the concept is solid, the way it all played out felt kinda weak in some spots. The plot just feels too on the nose and set up at times, so the characters don't always feel like they're acting real or believable. And that ending, where it's all about some twisted, dark "choice," was just alright; it didn't manage to deliver the big, high-impact payoff that the sophisticated setup promised.

It also doesn't hurt that Deviant came out last year, and honestly, that one was way tighter and stronger in the same lane. Still, don't get me wrong, this isn't a terrible serial killer story overall. There are definitely some killer art moments and those deaths are messed up in the best way. I think the plot just tried to do too much, which made the whole thing feel over-stuffed and ambitious for its own good. Solid premise and striking visuals, but the execution was bumpy. It gets a 3 out of 5 from me.

[Liv Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you image comics for the arc!!

i think that this has a cool premise, it just may not entirely be for me. i really enjoyed how the art shows what the main character is attempting to write. i think it makes it more immersive, like you’re living in his head and thinking it through with him. that said though, it can be a bit confusing at times, but maybe it’s on purpose and i just missed something. i also liked the different style changes that happen throughout the narrative, i thought those were interesting and really appealed to me. my biggest issue with this is that it was hard for me to get into, specifically because it was so confusing and it took a long time for me to connect even a little bit with the characters. i also struggled with the different story lines and the jumps between them, as well as the connections too (i felt like they came out of nowhere and made no sense but maybe im just a hater). i definitely do think some people would like this! just not me💔

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for access to a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Holyyyy the art style of this comic is amazing. The colour grading is beautiful and perfectly added to the suspense. The story was intriguing and left me on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next. I loved the twist at the and definitely didn’t see that coming and the concept was refreshing from most author MC books I’ve read. Definitely recommend for a quick thriller read!

#IndigoEmployee

[KaysKillerReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’ll Do Bad Things was an absolutely fantastic read. The art and storyline worked perfectly together and complemented each other so well. I loved the horrifying twists and the way the plot kept me guessing right until the end.

Such a fun and chilling quick read!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Selling Pitch:
A meta crime thriller reminiscent of Red Dragon and The Mare of Easttown.

Pre-reading:
Love me a horror graphic.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
The colors are gorgeous.

It’s paneled like a show would be shot.

A me!

So don’t write them a happy ending.

Oh, how fun! It’s the writing process illustrated.

Good gore.

The cover of issue two is ugly.

I’m loving this. A bit Will Graham-y consultanty.

Now Balance is funny. I always love spoofy brands

Didn’t have this pegged for full frontal lmao.

Why are the covers so ugly compared to the interiors?

Is that a tomato? Girl, near your eyes? Ouchie!

Wait, this would be a FUN limited series. Do it Mare of Easttown style.

HA, I love how everyone’s just accepted the faerie smut is THE current literature.

They’re cute. I hope Bella lives.

The colors in this are so good.

Crotch shot of a dead woman is gratuitous. Also, it doesn’t make sense for her to be naked. She’s an older woman wearing a dress. She’d probably have shapewear on and she’d def have a bra and underwear.

The way my jaw just dropped in horror. Not the dog!

I love Bella. Make this a show right now. It’s pretty effortlessly diverse, the sets are great, the cinematography is already framed. Like, put this on TV.

I LOVE BELLA.

Why do they always draw the buttholes on cats? It’s so yucky. Also, kitty better be okay.

Was it a tooth fairy thing? He saw them missing a tooth and had to have it? (I would’ve liked more explanation here.)

Stick the landing please. This has been so good and so well-paced so far.

If they planned this, why is she in heels? Men smh.

This is so fun!

But the ending does matter.

Kind of a lame fizzle out for something that was great otherwise.

Post-reading:
I think this would make a fantastic TV show. Hannibal and cop dramas are so familiar to the general public that I think putting a meta spin on them would really work. The art for this book is gorgeous with a few exceptions. Necrophilic crotch shots are not it. It felt especially gratuitous in a book self-aware enough to acknowledge the ethical problems that come with true crime consumption. I think leaving Bella in her heels for the big showdown is another male author oversight. You can argue it’s character design continuity, but I think it’s garbage to act like she’s a feminist character and then not give her some sneakers while she takes on the big bad. The color work in the series is phenomenal though and effortlessly moody. I liked the diversity amongst the characters and how it felt matter-of-fact rather than virtue signally.

I don’t love the ending. The editor tie-in was a fun meta moment, but pinning it on the old cop is plotholey. I think the ending is going to disappoint readers since the rest of the story was so well-paced. I’d pick this up if you’re a fan of crime thrillers. For the most part, it’s a fun time!

Who should read this:
Hannibal fans
Crime thriller fans

Ideal reading time:
Anytime

Do I want to reread this:
No, I think I’ll remember it.

Would I buy this:
Yup!

Similar books:
* Red Dragon by Thomas Harris-crime thriller, psychological horror
* The Last Word by Taylor Adams-campy, crime thriller, meta fiction
* Killing Stalking by Koogie-graphic novel, horror, crime thriller, queer
* I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer-graphic novel, revenge thriller
* I Might Be in Trouble by Daniel Aleman-crime thriller, revenge
* Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh-psychological horror, unreliable narrator, queer, revenge thriller
* She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge-procedural crime thriller
* None of This is True by Lisa Jewel-crime thriller, revenge

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alex Sarll]

Ten years ago, Seth Holms made his name with a smash true crime book. Now, queasy about the morality of the genre, he's trying to write a romance novel instead. But his story keeps getting away from him, and he finds himself writing terrible things happening to his characters...which then play out in real life too.

As for real-life writer Tyler Boss, well, he's also a victim of terrible, ineluctable forces, but in his case it's the economics of making comics, where the financially sensible path is for almost any artist, however good (and Boss was a very good artist indeed) to try their hand as writer-artist, and then move into writing stories someone a little earlier in their career or lower down the ladder can draw. Now, the guy fulfilling that role here, Adriano Turtulici, is intermittently very good; he's versatile, doing one scene with a Risso vibe then switching to a Hernandez for another, say, but generally revolving around a sort of cartoony yet moody approach which does suit the material. Every so often, though, he will come a cropper with panels that are meant to be expressive but more just look wonky. And his retro, minimalist colouring can exacerbate a lack of clear storytelling that's fatal in a story where the boundary between the protagonist's thoughts and the outside world is porous. Meaning there were occasions where I wasn't sure what was supposed to have happened, never mind whether it actually had or not.

End result: I spent too much of this thinking how much better it would have hit had Boss illustrated it himself. Though even then there'd have been issues, like the way the central theme of the ethics of true crime is unbalanced by the finger on the scales that is Seth's previous book having been instrumental in the capture of a serial killer who was still at large when he wrote it. And even leaving aside that implausibility, and while we do get one memorable grotesque out of a press event, that whole side of the story is far less convincing or unsettling than the recent handling of similar material in The Deviant. The real killer, though, is the ending. The truly terrible ending. In which – SPOILER – talking about how different potential endings tested is not enough to excuse the one on the page being this exasperating.

Oh, and also, though this will affect fewer readers, and isn't really a complaint: the title kept getting Do Me Bad Things songs stuck in my head.

(Netgalley ARC)

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic feels like it was set up for a good rating, but the execution was messy, a bit disjointed and disappointing.

The graphic style is punchy and eye-catching, playing well into the dark, thriller/horror vibes this story tells. I love a story that follows a struggling author, for whatever reason, so I was intrigued by our main character. I also really enjoyed the way the book leaves the reader a tad confused about what is real and what is fiction in the first half of the story - it's an interesting and intriguing way to develop the story.

But the second half of the plot felt clunky. I was overall torn on the mystery's twist. While in a way it was an interesting way to twist the narrative, it just felt a little cheap and not fleshed out. I also can't look past the fact that when a sex worker is written in as a side character, her only outfit is something skimpy - even when setting up a suspected murderer.

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the review copy. This does not impact my opinions.

[Liz Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is a horror and crime comic rated mature leading to an expectation for gore and graphic violence in the story the way in which the majority of the brutality centered around female figures led me to being unable to be fully immersed in or enjoy the story. There are not only female victims in this story, but the victims who are women are the ones who are put on display and sexualized in a way that feels uncomfortable to read. The female characters in general did not feel like fully fleshed out characters in comparison to the male characters.

Additionally, there were some panels of text that were difficult to read due simply to the art style, however, this may simply be due to the pages not transferring well to a digital format. I found the general plot to be interesting and the main character to be well flushed out, but it led to what felt like a lackluster ending.

Thank you Image Comics and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa boy. Where do I begin. Warnings first?

The graphic novel contains violence, artistic gore, terror, language, S&M subjects, male and female nudity (including full frontal). Got it? Still want to know more?

This was incredible storytelling and such a great mystery. I was guessing on parts of the mystery up till the final reveal. And still, how it was leading, I anticipated another big twist toward the end.

If you are fine with the initial list I gave you, you won’t want to miss this graphic novel. If even one part of that list concerned you, don’t read it. This graphic novel is dark. Or maybe I should say DARK!!!!! I finished it late at night in a cabin in the woods staying with some friends. I was worried for a bit that I wouldn’t be able to sleep that night.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Allen Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

You'll Do Bad Things often feels like a giallo The Cabin in the Wood, in part due to the meta-commentary writing and in (admittedly even larger) part due to Adriano Turtulici's art, which beautifully captures the fever-dream aesthetic of filmmakers such as Dario Argento or Mario Brava.

The story movies along at a brisk pace, offering a nice balance of murder and mystery. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite stick the landing, with a final issue more likely to confuse and frustrate than satisfy. Nonsensical plot elements are a staple of giallo films, but here it seems to be used more as an excuse than an homage. If the author is trying to say something with the ending, it's not exactly clear and it leads to the whole thing feeling much more interested in style than substance.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

You'll Do Bad Things follows Seth, an author that gained notoriety from releasing He Came in with a Smile, a true crime non-fiction book about the Nursery Rhyme Killer. 10 years later, he hasn’t been able to write another book. He wants to write a book with a happy ending, but he gravitates towards brutal deaths. When these deaths start to happen in real life, he enlist the help of a dominatrix to help him get to the bottom of this.

This was fun! I was a little confused in some parts but I enjoyed the illustrations. I liked the character design of The Doll. The color scheme was cool. Overall a quick fun read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Image Comics, for the ARC.

[Amelia Suedel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Image Comics for the eARC in exchange for my review!

This was a fun crime thriller, I was drawn in by the suspense and mystery, but I wish that the ending was a bit more thought out. I really enjoyed the writing and interesting panel layouts and perspectives that made for a dynamic read. I liked the parallel storytelling of the crime that was being discussed happening in the past alongside the serial murders that the main character was currently investigating. I found it a bit hard to keep some characters straight, especially with the style of art and use of mostly primary colors. I wish there was a bit more to the ending, I felt that there was a good lead up but I wish I would have gotten more of a villain monologue to know how they "pulled it off" and to solve some of the lingering questions.

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC.

Absolutely insane. This is dark, graphic, gory and shocking. But I really 'enjoyed' reading it. For fans of Hannibal, classic crime/cop shows and slashers.

We follow Seth, an author struggling to write anything outside of the horror genre since his mega successful true crime novel ten years prior. He starts to notice that life seems to be imitating his art, and along with Bella rushes to solve the mystery and stop the murders.

Honestly at points it was so meta, and so many things were going on that I was a bit confused. But it almost felt like I was meant to be and I don't feel like it detracted from the story. My confusion felt like a reflection of Seth's confusion.

I loved the art style and thought it really elevated the entire story.

[Adri Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Morbid fiction turned reality.”

Seth Holmes was a true crime writer and had his book, He Came in With A Smile, published a decade ago. Since then, he has attempted to write romance stories. However, his characters never have a happy ending, and their lives always end in a grisly death. Now the events he has been writing about are being carried out in real life. Has he somehow unconsciously brought his works to life? Can he stop the next victim's execution, or will he be too late?

#ThxNetGalley #TylerBoss #YoullDoBadThings

[Taikyra.tbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an Arc in exchange for my honest thoughts. I really enjoyed this; the story blurred the lines of fiction and reality in such a good way. The artwork was eerie and engaging. I felt mildly unsettled the entire time I was reading this. We follow Seth Holms a bestselling true crime writer as he attempts to pen a romance novel, this very quickly do not go as planned. I loved the backstory to his novel and the connections with the new murders. I don't want to give anything away but the end was highly satisfying.

[everybookadoorway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a fun time with this one. I enjoyed the story and the art was captivating, I loved the character designs and the colour panel was nice to look at. Though I was slightly confused at points, it kept me interested and I easily read it in one sitting.

You’ll Do Bad Things is a quick and gory read that I’d definitely recommend to all horror and comic enjoyers!

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC!

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This hit me with massive Alan Wake and Se7en vibes. A thoroughly gripping, brutal, gory, pulpy noir murder mystery. The art in here is fantastic, the use of color is beautiful, and they both really hammer home that noir vibe. I really enjoyed the characters in here as well, especially Bella.

A truly great thrill ride here. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the review copy!

[Rorscharch71 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art 2 but Giallo inspired coloring > 3
Story 4

Seth is worse than a killer, because he creates a world in which others will do the dirty work for him.

It’s a comic:
• about true crime
• about the pornography of violence
• about the responsibility of the author
• and about that of the reader


Too bad Image chose the worst of the Tyler Boss' covers for the TP

Dario Argento would have loved to film this

[Haruka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for giving me the chance to read the advanced copy of the book from NetGalley. And here is my honest review.
.
.
I really love the plot of the story. Very interesting read. The ending was a surprise for me. I didnt expect that at all!!
Amazing read!! Definetly recommend this book if you love mystery and a lil bit twist!!

[Valerie Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

"why does the writer write"

the "plot twist" that is mentioned in the summary doesn't get introduced until about halfway through making the whole first half of this just a slog and confusing mess of 2 stories with similar art so it's hard to tell what is actually happening and then it took what could've been a psychological thriller of a villain into an even more confusing mess

[Margo Jacques · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a style reminiscent of 90's and 00's slasher films, this colorful, suspenseful story will leave you wondering if it's meta or do we have an unreliable narrator? I love the idea of the things you write come true- in the worst way possible! Part slasher-part crime thriller- part psychological- this is a great quick read if you are in the mood for some great horror!

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

has a good hook at the start with its premise, colors, and style. it's heavily inspired by giallo which is very cool to see in comics. the story meanders a bit at times and the ending is packed with action that doesn't really work well with the color block art style and doesn't mesh well with the giallo genre either. still a unique and fun original story.

[Chr*s Browning]

Turtulici’s art is interesting and the coloring throughout is strong, although it does make the action scenes extremely hard to follow for me. Shame about the script though. Nothing going on in its head. All style, absolutely zero substance.

[Kurt Lorenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A blast of a crime thriller that keeps you hooked until an incredibly lackluster ending kills the whole story.

[Andres Pasten · Rating 2 out of 5]

A ratos inentendible

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly enough sex and violence to justify a 'mature' label.

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great but interesting concept. Like a contagious psychosis spreading among serial killer culture.

2.9✨

[Audrey | WellReadandUndead(ish) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eerie, gory, and cool but my god, the gratuitous, “sexy” violence perpetrated on all the women was too much to stomach. At first I thought I was reading into it, but I noticed that the men would be killed off page and the women had long, drawn out, very violent, and in one case very violating murders. In what universe was it necessary to undress the older woman and hang her from the perspective of a crotch shot? It felt excessive and like it didn’t add anything to what we already know is a demented killer.

And why did Bella have to fight for her life in her sex work attire. She had time to take a nap and get dinner but she has to fight in a corset and heels? I mean, Seth also didn’t get an outfit change but he would be fighting more comfortably in his flat shoes, pants, shirt, and open button down.

I know it sounds nitpicky, and I could’ve forgiven some of it, but taken all together it was too much, especially since sexism and violence against women isn’t even a theme for the book. It was a cool concept with sometimes confusing but very pretty art that was tainted by poor choices that could alienate audiences.