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Hotel Limbo
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26Welcome to the afterlife… May we take your bags?
Hijinks and heartbreak await as this fan-favorite online comic becomes a gorgeous graphic novel!
After awakening in the middle of nowhere, a young man is forcefully inducted into the Hotel Limbo as its new bellboy (“BB” for short). Faced with magical masks, giant cats, a mysterious staff, and a hotel that just won’t sit still, BB will soon learn that helping with “baggage” means something very different when all the guests are dead.
In this series debut, writer Ben Harel teams up with 28 artists (!) from around the world to breathe life into a story about death. As comedy dances with drama and mystery, every tonal shift and blurred line is accentuated by an ever-changing visual style, creating a genre-bending medley of deadly (and death-ly) adventures.
Hijinks and heartbreak await as this fan-favorite online comic becomes a gorgeous graphic novel!
After awakening in the middle of nowhere, a young man is forcefully inducted into the Hotel Limbo as its new bellboy (“BB” for short). Faced with magical masks, giant cats, a mysterious staff, and a hotel that just won’t sit still, BB will soon learn that helping with “baggage” means something very different when all the guests are dead.
In this series debut, writer Ben Harel teams up with 28 artists (!) from around the world to breathe life into a story about death. As comedy dances with drama and mystery, every tonal shift and blurred line is accentuated by an ever-changing visual style, creating a genre-bending medley of deadly (and death-ly) adventures.
272 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 14, 2026
8 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This graphic novel feels like a dream you can't fully understand. Mix is the highlight and the cliffhanger hit hard, leaving me with more questions than answers. I want the sequel yesterday and I’m not sure I can handle the wait.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This graphic novel was so much fun, and so very silly and odd! The art style changes every chapter but I found it to really fit the quirkiness of Hotel Limbo, especially with all the different dynamics we have going on along with the chaos which the main character, Bell Boy, finds himself entangled in.
I loved every character, though was particularly fond of Mix and Fuzzy, their personalities and quirks shone through, and I really enjoyed the weird, unique vibe each person brings to the hotel.
The plot is fairly straightforward, with a deeper, mysterious event happening behind the scenes, which we see at the end. I liked just chilling with BB and witnessing his newfound afterlife.
I would definitely read the next volume, and totally recommend this to anyone looking for a 'Haunted Hotel' x Toilet-Bound-Hanako-Kun' kind of read!
This graphic novel was so much fun, and so very silly and odd! The art style changes every chapter but I found it to really fit the quirkiness of Hotel Limbo, especially with all the different dynamics we have going on along with the chaos which the main character, Bell Boy, finds himself entangled in.
I loved every character, though was particularly fond of Mix and Fuzzy, their personalities and quirks shone through, and I really enjoyed the weird, unique vibe each person brings to the hotel.
The plot is fairly straightforward, with a deeper, mysterious event happening behind the scenes, which we see at the end. I liked just chilling with BB and witnessing his newfound afterlife.
I would definitely read the next volume, and totally recommend this to anyone looking for a 'Haunted Hotel' x Toilet-Bound-Hanako-Kun' kind of read!
January 10, 2026
(ARC) 3.5⭐️ The art is absolutely gorgeous, and I’ll most likely buy this graphic novel for that reason. The story itself is fun, whimsical, and clever. It feels like a great start to a series, and I’m already excited to pick up the next installment. This also gave me major “The Good Place” vibes.
Our main character finds himself at Hotel Limbo after he dies, where he becomes the designated bellboy, responsible for taking guests’ “baggage” upon arrival. Soon, he discovers that he’s not just handling their physical baggage…he’s also helping them work through their emotional baggage as well.
Our main character finds himself at Hotel Limbo after he dies, where he becomes the designated bellboy, responsible for taking guests’ “baggage” upon arrival. Soon, he discovers that he’s not just handling their physical baggage…he’s also helping them work through their emotional baggage as well.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you the publishers and NetGalley for this e-arc for review!
This was a funny story that takes place in the afterlife with great visuals. Characters are all so quirky with fun dialogue and the book was packed with so much humor. Some of the text was a bit hard to read, mainly the parts with red text on black background, but majority of it was legible enough to make the overall book enjoyable.
This was a funny story that takes place in the afterlife with great visuals. Characters are all so quirky with fun dialogue and the book was packed with so much humor. Some of the text was a bit hard to read, mainly the parts with red text on black background, but majority of it was legible enough to make the overall book enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This graphic novel really surprised me. It has a very crazy, funny, and absurd vibe. You don't understand everything as you read through the chapters, but at the same time, you're transported into an explosive and funny universe.
BB is quite... chaotic? Crazy? Candid? In short, BB is what he is, and it's hilarious to follow his adventures and decisions throughout the pages.
Let's talk about the drawings. I found it very interesting to switch styles with each chapter while still telling the same story. It immerses us even more in this hotel. Ultimately, it's not distracting and fits the plot really well.
In short, it's a really interesting read because of its form, which is different from what we're used to reading. The content is a little confusing at times because we're often cut off between pages of simple drawings and other small scenes, so the pace is fast, even too fast.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this title in advance!
I should point out that I missed some of the subtleties of the graphics because the first few chapters are simply unreadable. The dialogues are not up to par with the quality of the ebook, so unfortunately the first few chapters are very unclear to me.
FRANCAIS :
Ce roman graphique m'a beaucoup surprise. Il a une vibe très déjanté, drôle et absurde. On ne comprends pas tout au fils des chapitres et en même temps, on est transporté dans un univers qui est explosif et drôle.
BB est assez ... chaotique ? fou ? candide ? Bref BB est ce qu'il est et c'est hilarant de suivre ses aventures et ses décisions au fils des pages.
Parlons du dessins, j'ai trouvé très intéressant de switcher de style à chaque chapitre tout en ayant la même histoire. Ca nous plonge encore plus dans cette hôtel particulier. Finalement, ce n'est pas dérangeant et ça colle super bien à l'intrigue.
En bref, c'est une lecture qui est vraiment intéressante par sa forme qui change de ce que l'on peut lire. Le contenue nous perds un peu par moment car on est souvent coupé entre des pages de dessins simple puis d'autre de petites scènes donc le rythme va vite, voir trop vite.
Merci Netgalley et la maison d'édition qui m'a permis de lire en avance ce titre !
Je tiens à préciser que j'ai raté des subtilités du graphique à cause des premiers chapitres où c'est tout simplement illisible à lire. Les dialogues avec la qualité de l'ebook ne sont pas au rendez vous donc malheureusement les premiers chapitres sont très flou pour moi.
BB is quite... chaotic? Crazy? Candid? In short, BB is what he is, and it's hilarious to follow his adventures and decisions throughout the pages.
Let's talk about the drawings. I found it very interesting to switch styles with each chapter while still telling the same story. It immerses us even more in this hotel. Ultimately, it's not distracting and fits the plot really well.
In short, it's a really interesting read because of its form, which is different from what we're used to reading. The content is a little confusing at times because we're often cut off between pages of simple drawings and other small scenes, so the pace is fast, even too fast.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this title in advance!
I should point out that I missed some of the subtleties of the graphics because the first few chapters are simply unreadable. The dialogues are not up to par with the quality of the ebook, so unfortunately the first few chapters are very unclear to me.
FRANCAIS :
Ce roman graphique m'a beaucoup surprise. Il a une vibe très déjanté, drôle et absurde. On ne comprends pas tout au fils des chapitres et en même temps, on est transporté dans un univers qui est explosif et drôle.
BB est assez ... chaotique ? fou ? candide ? Bref BB est ce qu'il est et c'est hilarant de suivre ses aventures et ses décisions au fils des pages.
Parlons du dessins, j'ai trouvé très intéressant de switcher de style à chaque chapitre tout en ayant la même histoire. Ca nous plonge encore plus dans cette hôtel particulier. Finalement, ce n'est pas dérangeant et ça colle super bien à l'intrigue.
En bref, c'est une lecture qui est vraiment intéressante par sa forme qui change de ce que l'on peut lire. Le contenue nous perds un peu par moment car on est souvent coupé entre des pages de dessins simple puis d'autre de petites scènes donc le rythme va vite, voir trop vite.
Merci Netgalley et la maison d'édition qui m'a permis de lire en avance ce titre !
Je tiens à préciser que j'ai raté des subtilités du graphique à cause des premiers chapitres où c'est tout simplement illisible à lire. Les dialogues avec la qualité de l'ebook ne sont pas au rendez vous donc malheureusement les premiers chapitres sont très flou pour moi.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hotel Limbo. Welcome to the place where you go when you die but aren’t ready to pass on to your next life, staffed by our wonderful cast of characters, including but not limited to: a psychotic chef, a memelord of a woman who seems to be only mildly insane, and a sexy bartender who desperately needs a vacation.
We follow Bellboy, a new staff member of Hotel Limbo who doesn’t know anything about himself except that he does not want to be there. Each chapter of this comic explores an aspect of his new afterlife, complete with unraveling trauma, the most twisted found family that I’ve ever seen, and so many plot twists that you’re not sure what is and what isn’t a plot twist.
I’ll start off my review by saying that this comic goes from 0 to 100 REAL quick. In the beginning, it’s mostly worldbuilding, with lots of meme-y humor and well-timed jabs that get a bit old by the end of the first half. However, this is when everything really takes off, and raised my rating for this comic from 3.5 to a solid 5 stars. Give it some time, because this plot does not disappoint if you want something dreamlike and funny, with a healthy dose of mystery and thrill. It reminds me a lot of Alice in Wonderland in terms of the low-level psychosis within the comic that leaves you wondering what’s real, what’s fake, and what’s neither.
Art-wise, this comic is a beauty! With a great lineup of different illustrators, we see the hotel and its characters expressed through lots of different lenses, with the illustrators skillfully picked for each chapter’s content. I give particular props to the illustrator of Chapter 14, Fenkko. Amazing work done on those chapters! It brought the plot to life excellently!
My cons are mostly minimal for this comic and have to do moreso with the format. I read this as a digital e-book on an iPad Mini, and I found that there were multiple chapters (particularly the first one) that were extremely hard to read and fuzzy on my screen. I don’t know if it’ll be the same in physical book form, but for those of you who are reading this, it does get easier to read after the first couple chapters! Don’t worry! It’s worth sticking it out!
Plot/Pacing: 5/5
Artwork: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Dialog: 3.5/5
Vibes as a Whole: 5/5
Overall rating: 5/5
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and IDW!
@idwpublishing
#idwreviews #HotelLimboBook1 #NetGalley
We follow Bellboy, a new staff member of Hotel Limbo who doesn’t know anything about himself except that he does not want to be there. Each chapter of this comic explores an aspect of his new afterlife, complete with unraveling trauma, the most twisted found family that I’ve ever seen, and so many plot twists that you’re not sure what is and what isn’t a plot twist.
I’ll start off my review by saying that this comic goes from 0 to 100 REAL quick. In the beginning, it’s mostly worldbuilding, with lots of meme-y humor and well-timed jabs that get a bit old by the end of the first half. However, this is when everything really takes off, and raised my rating for this comic from 3.5 to a solid 5 stars. Give it some time, because this plot does not disappoint if you want something dreamlike and funny, with a healthy dose of mystery and thrill. It reminds me a lot of Alice in Wonderland in terms of the low-level psychosis within the comic that leaves you wondering what’s real, what’s fake, and what’s neither.
Art-wise, this comic is a beauty! With a great lineup of different illustrators, we see the hotel and its characters expressed through lots of different lenses, with the illustrators skillfully picked for each chapter’s content. I give particular props to the illustrator of Chapter 14, Fenkko. Amazing work done on those chapters! It brought the plot to life excellently!
My cons are mostly minimal for this comic and have to do moreso with the format. I read this as a digital e-book on an iPad Mini, and I found that there were multiple chapters (particularly the first one) that were extremely hard to read and fuzzy on my screen. I don’t know if it’ll be the same in physical book form, but for those of you who are reading this, it does get easier to read after the first couple chapters! Don’t worry! It’s worth sticking it out!
Plot/Pacing: 5/5
Artwork: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Dialog: 3.5/5
Vibes as a Whole: 5/5
Overall rating: 5/5
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and IDW!
@idwpublishing
#idwreviews #HotelLimboBook1 #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars. Starting note that has nothing to do with the quality of the book, but I have to add it as a disclaimer: I really could not read a lot of beginning pages.
I am sure it is just an ARC issue- but the text is very blurry.
It also contained a lot of colored text over a black background. I can’t see that well as it is- so these two things combined made it almost impossible for me to make out what was being said.
I just wanted to say that, because it feels necessary to say that I basically missed the start of the story, but, I got the gist of it.
This is a pretty interesting little graphic novel, for a few different reasons.
I believe that different artists contributed to the work, so there are several transitions between their individual art styles happening throughout.
I think that is a pretty cool concept.
Some of the illustrations and styles were much better than others (in my opinion, obviously everyone will have a favorite). But nonetheless, it’s pretty unique.
It is also one of those books that is both cute and creepy. Which I generally really love.
The ability to be endearing and also uncanny at the exact same time is impressive.
The plot was good, for the most part. I really enjoyed meeting some of the different characters stuck in limbo, and hearing about their lives. (Especially the dad. Literally, I could sob).
Sadly, the ending sort of lost me a bit. Things went in a different direction last minute, and I felt it lost some of it’s charm.
Overall though, I thought the main part of the story was nice, and it had some appealing art.
It is also a very short and quick read, and likely will be enjoyed by people that like a graphic novel on the stranger side.
Thank you to Netgalley, IDW Publishing and author Ben Harel, for providing me with the eARC of “Hotel Limbo (Book 1)”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: April 14, 2026
I am sure it is just an ARC issue- but the text is very blurry.
It also contained a lot of colored text over a black background. I can’t see that well as it is- so these two things combined made it almost impossible for me to make out what was being said.
I just wanted to say that, because it feels necessary to say that I basically missed the start of the story, but, I got the gist of it.
This is a pretty interesting little graphic novel, for a few different reasons.
I believe that different artists contributed to the work, so there are several transitions between their individual art styles happening throughout.
I think that is a pretty cool concept.
Some of the illustrations and styles were much better than others (in my opinion, obviously everyone will have a favorite). But nonetheless, it’s pretty unique.
It is also one of those books that is both cute and creepy. Which I generally really love.
The ability to be endearing and also uncanny at the exact same time is impressive.
The plot was good, for the most part. I really enjoyed meeting some of the different characters stuck in limbo, and hearing about their lives. (Especially the dad. Literally, I could sob).
Sadly, the ending sort of lost me a bit. Things went in a different direction last minute, and I felt it lost some of it’s charm.
Overall though, I thought the main part of the story was nice, and it had some appealing art.
It is also a very short and quick read, and likely will be enjoyed by people that like a graphic novel on the stranger side.
Thank you to Netgalley, IDW Publishing and author Ben Harel, for providing me with the eARC of “Hotel Limbo (Book 1)”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5 ★
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! I cannot wait for Part 2 of this book, and I cannot help but start off by saying that I deeply enjoyed every little bit of this novel.
I don't usually go for graphic novels, so this was somewhat of an unexpected journey for me. However, I can confidently say that I relished every page of this, and I read it all within an hour because I simply could not put it down! I daresay it has inspired me to pick up some more graphic novels in the future.
In terms of the book itself, I would like to highlight how wonderful the different art styles were and how much they appealed to me as a reader. Every chapter was not only interesting in terms of plot and dialogue, but even more so with the burst of different art styles and colors on the page. Each artist understood the needs of the story so uniquely. Moreover, I'd like to say that the plot has me completely hooked! The touch of comedy in such a dark tale is one of my favorite touches, but the plot twists that unfold through a barrage of new characters and as the plot progresses are golden. I think it's beyond well-done in introducing a new world and doing so from the main character's perspective. I love DM and BB so much, and I've got a few theories of my own about the janitor (also, I love you, Mix.). The character names were also so clever!
I am so excited to see more from this author and other artists. Cannot wait for the next installment!
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! I cannot wait for Part 2 of this book, and I cannot help but start off by saying that I deeply enjoyed every little bit of this novel.
I don't usually go for graphic novels, so this was somewhat of an unexpected journey for me. However, I can confidently say that I relished every page of this, and I read it all within an hour because I simply could not put it down! I daresay it has inspired me to pick up some more graphic novels in the future.
In terms of the book itself, I would like to highlight how wonderful the different art styles were and how much they appealed to me as a reader. Every chapter was not only interesting in terms of plot and dialogue, but even more so with the burst of different art styles and colors on the page. Each artist understood the needs of the story so uniquely. Moreover, I'd like to say that the plot has me completely hooked! The touch of comedy in such a dark tale is one of my favorite touches, but the plot twists that unfold through a barrage of new characters and as the plot progresses are golden. I think it's beyond well-done in introducing a new world and doing so from the main character's perspective. I love DM and BB so much, and I've got a few theories of my own about the janitor (also, I love you, Mix.). The character names were also so clever!
I am so excited to see more from this author and other artists. Cannot wait for the next installment!
January 15, 2026
Wow. This graphic novel really captured me in ways I didn’t think it would.
I received this eARC from the publishers (Top Shelf Productions) via Edelweiss. Thank you for this copy, here’s my genuine review:
I really enjoyed how the little bits of relatability and connection that comes through the dialogue. Every character has their own quirk — which I appreciate. It added whimsy to the story.
B.B. is the main character and we start to learn more about what hotel limbo is and what’s his role in hotel limbo. We meet other characters along the way and their stories as well. I wasn’t really too sure where these stories was going to take me, as sometimes between the episodes, I briefly think “Is this going to be a continuation of the same story we just left”?
Hotel Limbo has an insidious way of capturing you, the next thing you know, you wonder how is it over?
I do wish there was a consistent artist throughout, but I think the different in art styling was still enjoyable.
I won’t spoil it, but I really liked how the last 50%+ ended up going and how we ended. It made me feel like “wait… I wanna see what happens next” / “Need more!!!” And considering I wasn’t exactly hooked in the beginning… A little “eh” in the beginning but things started to come around, kept my interest, and now I am looking forward to the continuation.
Ideal for those who like quirky stories that takes you by surprise.
I received this eARC from the publishers (Top Shelf Productions) via Edelweiss. Thank you for this copy, here’s my genuine review:
I really enjoyed how the little bits of relatability and connection that comes through the dialogue. Every character has their own quirk — which I appreciate. It added whimsy to the story.
B.B. is the main character and we start to learn more about what hotel limbo is and what’s his role in hotel limbo. We meet other characters along the way and their stories as well. I wasn’t really too sure where these stories was going to take me, as sometimes between the episodes, I briefly think “Is this going to be a continuation of the same story we just left”?
Hotel Limbo has an insidious way of capturing you, the next thing you know, you wonder how is it over?
I do wish there was a consistent artist throughout, but I think the different in art styling was still enjoyable.
I won’t spoil it, but I really liked how the last 50%+ ended up going and how we ended. It made me feel like “wait… I wanna see what happens next” / “Need more!!!” And considering I wasn’t exactly hooked in the beginning… A little “eh” in the beginning but things started to come around, kept my interest, and now I am looking forward to the continuation.
Ideal for those who like quirky stories that takes you by surprise.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
OMG this was so much fun! Our MC BB, short for Bell Boy has found himself tasked with helping the dead in purgatory or Hotel Limbo with their baggage, he unfortunately seems to misinterpret what baggage means and attempts to help them emotionally. Hijinks ensue some of his helping goes incredibly well, some not so much. Something else seems to be going on in the background with BB himself as the end is a pretty sinister cliffhanger.
The art is what is absolutely freaking amazing about this though, there are twenty seven different artists who have contributed to this graphic novel so each chapter has a new artist. At first I thought it would be jarring but honestly it makes so much sense when you think about it. Yes, the story is about BB but it's also about these individual souls and what they are going through or have gone through so if this continues on this kind of episodic path with the changing artists it'll really be just an amazing whole when it's done.
I'm still going to say this is perfect for fans of Hotel Del Luna even without the romance that was center to that story. I can see fans of Hazbin Hotel digging it as well. The humor isn't quite as crass but it's definitely an adult read on that level.
As always thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the eArc!
The art is what is absolutely freaking amazing about this though, there are twenty seven different artists who have contributed to this graphic novel so each chapter has a new artist. At first I thought it would be jarring but honestly it makes so much sense when you think about it. Yes, the story is about BB but it's also about these individual souls and what they are going through or have gone through so if this continues on this kind of episodic path with the changing artists it'll really be just an amazing whole when it's done.
I'm still going to say this is perfect for fans of Hotel Del Luna even without the romance that was center to that story. I can see fans of Hazbin Hotel digging it as well. The humor isn't quite as crass but it's definitely an adult read on that level.
As always thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the eArc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hotel Limbo is a strange, heart-filled trip through the afterlife, and I mean that in the best way. Everyone who ends up here has unfinished business, and our main character—BB, or Bellboy—is just trying to figure out how to help them move on. His job is to manage guests' baggage, which starts off feeling literal but quickly turns metaphorical. Turns out, everyone in Hotel Limbo is carrying more than just suitcases.
Each chapter focuses on a different guest, which makes this feel like a collection of mini-stories within a larger narrative. Some are sweet and heartwarming, while others are gut-punch levels of sad. It reminded me a bit of Hazbin Hotel in tone, but with a lot more emotional weight and a deeper backstory that I’d love to explore more in future volumes.
Visually, the art is bold and playful, with a changing art style that matches the wackiness of the world. I thought that added a lot of personality to the book. That said, the font in the first few chapters is rough and hard to read, but it does improve as the story goes on.
The hotel itself is full of secrets, and there's clearly more going on beneath the surface than BB realizes. Between the mystery, the emotional depth, and the chaotic charm, I’m definitely curious to see where this story goes from here.
Hotel Limbo is a strange, heart-filled trip through the afterlife, and I mean that in the best way. Everyone who ends up here has unfinished business, and our main character—BB, or Bellboy—is just trying to figure out how to help them move on. His job is to manage guests' baggage, which starts off feeling literal but quickly turns metaphorical. Turns out, everyone in Hotel Limbo is carrying more than just suitcases.
Each chapter focuses on a different guest, which makes this feel like a collection of mini-stories within a larger narrative. Some are sweet and heartwarming, while others are gut-punch levels of sad. It reminded me a bit of Hazbin Hotel in tone, but with a lot more emotional weight and a deeper backstory that I’d love to explore more in future volumes.
Visually, the art is bold and playful, with a changing art style that matches the wackiness of the world. I thought that added a lot of personality to the book. That said, the font in the first few chapters is rough and hard to read, but it does improve as the story goes on.
The hotel itself is full of secrets, and there's clearly more going on beneath the surface than BB realizes. Between the mystery, the emotional depth, and the chaotic charm, I’m definitely curious to see where this story goes from here.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was funny and moving and delightful. I am almost mad that I read the ARC because I have to wait for it to be published, and then I have to wait even longer for the next book to come out. Terrible thing for series... I also enjoyed the multiple art styles, because they are similar enough that they flow together. I appreciate the fourth-wall break when the characters react to it.
In Hotel Limbo the dead arrive and are given rooms until it is their time to move on. Bell Boy arrives on the back of a cat, instead of a bus. He's there to help visitors with their bags. He's not to sure what that means until he touches someone and realizes that he can see their life story, which means he can help them move on. He thinks.
Also, all the other staff, Chef, Security, Mix, DM, don't have masks on their faces, while all the visitors do and so does Bell Boy. Also no one is allowed to use their real name so they use nicknames or occupations. DM makes the rooms for everyone based on what they need. Chef cooks all the food. Mix is a bartender, and also appears to be the voice of reason along with a dark influence. Security is mostly asleep. Time means nothing as it's all sorts of wonky, but still Bell Boy is going to do his best to help people, until he gets to move on or is fired.
I can't wait for more of this series.
Copy provided by IDW Publishing.
In Hotel Limbo the dead arrive and are given rooms until it is their time to move on. Bell Boy arrives on the back of a cat, instead of a bus. He's there to help visitors with their bags. He's not to sure what that means until he touches someone and realizes that he can see their life story, which means he can help them move on. He thinks.
Also, all the other staff, Chef, Security, Mix, DM, don't have masks on their faces, while all the visitors do and so does Bell Boy. Also no one is allowed to use their real name so they use nicknames or occupations. DM makes the rooms for everyone based on what they need. Chef cooks all the food. Mix is a bartender, and also appears to be the voice of reason along with a dark influence. Security is mostly asleep. Time means nothing as it's all sorts of wonky, but still Bell Boy is going to do his best to help people, until he gets to move on or is fired.
I can't wait for more of this series.
Copy provided by IDW Publishing.
January 9, 2026
4.5/5 stars! This was such a fun, eccentric, and spooky good time. I love how many different artists and styles were incorporated in this graphic novel. The story had me laughing out loud multiple times. While it is funny, it also tackles darker more difficult subjects. (As one can expect when the setting is a hotel in purgatory) The characters are unique and well thought out. I loved seeing the different guests visit the hotel and their stories. What’s most intriguing is the staff and their stories which we get glimpses of. Seeing as this is just book 1, I’m hoping we get to know the staff more as the series progresses. The hotel setting is great as hotels are always changing with guests coming and going. But this hotel literally changes its style from day to day, which kept things interesting. You very much feel like you’re in the main character’s shoes from the very beginning. The reader is in the dark just as much as the bellboy is. There are so many questions I have and am eager to find out answers in future installments. My only complaint is that the font style was difficult to read at times!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"How many guests did you help today?...One, and he cried.....Excellent work get this man a drink."
I liked how funny and off the wall at times this story was. It kind of had Alice in wonderland meets Hazbin hotel vibes. I liked that every chapter had a different art style (again adding to the chaotic nature of the story). Even with the differing art styles it all meshed well because the matching color scheme tied it together. The story feels bitter sweet. All the people died and had unfinished business. Which gets explored by the main character BB. The main character finds himself at Hotel Limbo after he dies, where he becomes the designated bellboy (BB). He is tasked with taking care of the new arrivals' baggage which at first he believes means their physical baggage but soon we learn it's also their mortal baggage.
My only real complaint, which I have noticed other reviewers mention, is the font in the first few chapters. The first chapter is practically unreadable it gets better and better every chapter but that definitely needs amended before release because I felt like I missed some dialogue in the first 2 chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Ben Harel, and IDW Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I liked how funny and off the wall at times this story was. It kind of had Alice in wonderland meets Hazbin hotel vibes. I liked that every chapter had a different art style (again adding to the chaotic nature of the story). Even with the differing art styles it all meshed well because the matching color scheme tied it together. The story feels bitter sweet. All the people died and had unfinished business. Which gets explored by the main character BB. The main character finds himself at Hotel Limbo after he dies, where he becomes the designated bellboy (BB). He is tasked with taking care of the new arrivals' baggage which at first he believes means their physical baggage but soon we learn it's also their mortal baggage.
My only real complaint, which I have noticed other reviewers mention, is the font in the first few chapters. The first chapter is practically unreadable it gets better and better every chapter but that definitely needs amended before release because I felt like I missed some dialogue in the first 2 chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Ben Harel, and IDW Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this e-ARC to review.
I thought this was a good start to a promising concept and series that I would continue reading, with the following thoughts.
Pros:
- Fascinating concept and easy to understand world building
- GREAT art styles, and a cool concept to see different artist's renditions of the same characters
- The characters are fun, quirky, and entertaining (and scary)
- Kept me interested the whole time
Cons:
- This is my biggest issue: the dialogue in the first chapter/art style was almost IMPOSSIBLE to read (red scrawled text on black backgrounds). I literally couldn't understand what was happening, even when I zoomed in. This isn't great for a graphic novel and I'm hoping that it prints better than it looks in the e-ARC (which was grainy in terms of quality since it was an unfinished proof).
- Though I liked the style changes, I was thrown a bit when they changed SO drastically in the middle of events that were happening. It made sense to keep the styles separate based on the tone of the chapter. Additionally, some things were made less clear because of the shift in style (e.g. characters became less recognizable).
I thought this was a good start to a promising concept and series that I would continue reading, with the following thoughts.
Pros:
- Fascinating concept and easy to understand world building
- GREAT art styles, and a cool concept to see different artist's renditions of the same characters
- The characters are fun, quirky, and entertaining (and scary)
- Kept me interested the whole time
Cons:
- This is my biggest issue: the dialogue in the first chapter/art style was almost IMPOSSIBLE to read (red scrawled text on black backgrounds). I literally couldn't understand what was happening, even when I zoomed in. This isn't great for a graphic novel and I'm hoping that it prints better than it looks in the e-ARC (which was grainy in terms of quality since it was an unfinished proof).
- Though I liked the style changes, I was thrown a bit when they changed SO drastically in the middle of events that were happening. It made sense to keep the styles separate based on the tone of the chapter. Additionally, some things were made less clear because of the shift in style (e.g. characters became less recognizable).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Welcome to Hotel Limbo. Enjoy your stay.
I’ll start by saying this straight up: I had a great time with this book. Hotel Limbo takes a topic as heavy as death and refuses to treat it with unnecessary seriousness. Instead, it leans into humor, charm, and a surprisingly light tone. If you’re into contrasts, this book is absolutely for you. It’s cute and creepy at the same time. Funny, but with humor that can easily slip into dark humor. Sweet one moment, slightly unsettling the next.
One thing that might throw you off at first is that every chapter is illustrated by a different artist. Personally? I loved it. It keeps the visual experience fresh and adds to the strange, dreamlike feeling of the hotel. It’s a bold, creative choice and not something you see very often.
So go ahead. Let yourself be swept away by the charm of the wonderful DM, who’ll design the room of your dreams. Try the Chef’s delicious specialties, grab a drink with Mix, and feed the giant kitties alongside BB. Just don’t expect a normal hotel stay.
I’ll start by saying this straight up: I had a great time with this book. Hotel Limbo takes a topic as heavy as death and refuses to treat it with unnecessary seriousness. Instead, it leans into humor, charm, and a surprisingly light tone. If you’re into contrasts, this book is absolutely for you. It’s cute and creepy at the same time. Funny, but with humor that can easily slip into dark humor. Sweet one moment, slightly unsettling the next.
One thing that might throw you off at first is that every chapter is illustrated by a different artist. Personally? I loved it. It keeps the visual experience fresh and adds to the strange, dreamlike feeling of the hotel. It’s a bold, creative choice and not something you see very often.
So go ahead. Let yourself be swept away by the charm of the wonderful DM, who’ll design the room of your dreams. Try the Chef’s delicious specialties, grab a drink with Mix, and feed the giant kitties alongside BB. Just don’t expect a normal hotel stay.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Heartfelt, Whimsical, and A Fever Dream You Won't Forget!
Hotel Limbo by Ben Harel is a wild, genre-bending joyride that throws you into a surreal afterlife. It is a kaleidoscopic Hotel California for the dead. The new bellboy wakes up in the middle of nowhere, gets dragged into a shifting hotel full of giant cats, magical masks, and a staff that’s delightfully unhinged. The storytelling zigs between comedy, heartbreak, and mystery, and with contributions from 27 artists around the globe, the visuals are as unpredictable as the plot. I found myself tearing up at a few stories, and then I was cackling at a few others. There was even some intense intrigue that I am desperate to learn more about now. WHAT IS HOTEL LIMBO?! Every page feels like a fresh trip through the unknown. The drawings break the fourth wall and interact with readers, it pokes fun at the style of writing, and you can tell this whole project was a genuine labor of love and that the creators had a blast pulling this together.
Hotel Limbo by Ben Harel is a wild, genre-bending joyride that throws you into a surreal afterlife. It is a kaleidoscopic Hotel California for the dead. The new bellboy wakes up in the middle of nowhere, gets dragged into a shifting hotel full of giant cats, magical masks, and a staff that’s delightfully unhinged. The storytelling zigs between comedy, heartbreak, and mystery, and with contributions from 27 artists around the globe, the visuals are as unpredictable as the plot. I found myself tearing up at a few stories, and then I was cackling at a few others. There was even some intense intrigue that I am desperate to learn more about now. WHAT IS HOTEL LIMBO?! Every page feels like a fresh trip through the unknown. The drawings break the fourth wall and interact with readers, it pokes fun at the style of writing, and you can tell this whole project was a genuine labor of love and that the creators had a blast pulling this together.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hotel Limbo is an incredibly fun and quirky graphic novel that completely caught me off guard in the best way. It balances its playful and at times silly tone with darker, more serious themes beneath the surface, that give the story real depth. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the constantly shifting art styles between chapters, but I actually ended up loving them. Each artist does an amazing job, and the fact that the changes are directly acknowledged through fourth-wall breaks just makes the whole experience even more charming and creative rather than distracting from it.
What truly hooked me, though, was the storytelling. The mystery surrounding the protagonist and the rest of the endearing characters is so compelling, and the author does an amazing job of making you want answers without giving too much away. By the time I finished the first volume, I was completely invested and immediately ran to Webtoon to binge the next chapters already released for book two. I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.
What truly hooked me, though, was the storytelling. The mystery surrounding the protagonist and the rest of the endearing characters is so compelling, and the author does an amazing job of making you want answers without giving too much away. By the time I finished the first volume, I was completely invested and immediately ran to Webtoon to binge the next chapters already released for book two. I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, das war ziemlich cool. Die einzelnen Kapitel wurden von unterschiedlichen Künstlern gezeichnet, weswegen sich der Stil immer wieder ändert - das witzige daran ist, dass das auch mal im Context zwischendurch gefragt wird, wieso dem so ist 😂 ich find alle Stile sehr hübsch und sie passen gut zum jeweiligen Setting. Anfangs sind die Kapitel mehr in sich abgeschlossen, später greifen sie ineinander über. Die Grundidee, dass die Seelen nach ihrem Tod im Hotel Limbo auftauchen und dort verweilen, bis sie ins Jenseits übergehen bzw wiedergeboren werden, find ich sehr spannend. Da gibt's viel Spielraum und Ideen, die man einfließen lassen kann. Der Humor zwischendurch ist manchmal nicht ganz meiner - an einigen Stellen etwas flach oder ich brauchte ne Weile, bis ich ihn verstanden hab (weil non-native speaker). Aber der Plot geht dann tatsächlich tiefer, als ich dachte. Und genau dann, wenn's so richtig spannend wird.. ist der Band auch schon vorbei! 😭 Also Leute, ich muss da unbedingt weiterlesen! Und ihr solltet den Comic auch unbedingt in die Hand nehmen! ✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Me reading through Hotel Limbo in one go:
Think Hazbin Hotel but more... whimsical?
For those who don't know Hazbin, think dead people's souls staying as guests in a hotel where the staff are also dead people, and wacky shenanigans ensue.
This was lots of fun. I was invested in the plot, the characters, the world... and just wanting to see where the lovely art styles would go next. Plus there's cats, so you know, the key to my heart was there and I couldn't resist it.
Eensy weensy complaint would be that some of the text was really hard to read in the first two chapters (a mixture of the font, the lack of contrast, and the fact that it was kind of blurry in my advanced copy) but this might be corrected before publication
Would definitely love to get this and whatever volumes come next
Cheers for the ARC!!
Think Hazbin Hotel but more... whimsical?
For those who don't know Hazbin, think dead people's souls staying as guests in a hotel where the staff are also dead people, and wacky shenanigans ensue.
This was lots of fun. I was invested in the plot, the characters, the world... and just wanting to see where the lovely art styles would go next. Plus there's cats, so you know, the key to my heart was there and I couldn't resist it.
Eensy weensy complaint would be that some of the text was really hard to read in the first two chapters (a mixture of the font, the lack of contrast, and the fact that it was kind of blurry in my advanced copy) but this might be corrected before publication
Would definitely love to get this and whatever volumes come next
Cheers for the ARC!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Graphic Novel Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok, the first artist did an amazing job. I loved their art, but the text was definitely difficult to get through. That’s probably my only critique!!
(Although, I really admired the creative thought behind it) I just had a very hard time reading it through the NG shelf app.
Other than that?
This was such a fun novel.
The characters are all so much fun. Each one has a very unique personality, I’d honestly love to see this animated 👀 The storyline has such a comedic prose, but also a deeper, dark, plot behind the scenes…
I can’t wait for the next volume!!
Each artist did an amazing job 🫶🏽 I loved how each one went about it in their own way, it reminded me of that one Bob’s Burgers episode where each scene had a different artist— Hands down one of my favorite episodes and this gave very much that!!
Also, the way BB lowkey breaks the fourth wall?
“Why’s each chapter a different artist?” 🤣🤍
This was so hilarious.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok, the first artist did an amazing job. I loved their art, but the text was definitely difficult to get through. That’s probably my only critique!!
(Although, I really admired the creative thought behind it) I just had a very hard time reading it through the NG shelf app.
Other than that?
This was such a fun novel.
The characters are all so much fun. Each one has a very unique personality, I’d honestly love to see this animated 👀 The storyline has such a comedic prose, but also a deeper, dark, plot behind the scenes…
I can’t wait for the next volume!!
Each artist did an amazing job 🫶🏽 I loved how each one went about it in their own way, it reminded me of that one Bob’s Burgers episode where each scene had a different artist— Hands down one of my favorite episodes and this gave very much that!!
Also, the way BB lowkey breaks the fourth wall?
“Why’s each chapter a different artist?” 🤣🤍
This was so hilarious.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for an arc. All opinions are my own.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
Genre: Graphic Novel
Are There Gay People in this?*: idk, but I sure felt gay reading it
Dude this graphic novel is so FUN! All the characters have such cool designs, but the art is also done by a TON of different artists so you get to the characters in so many different styles. I also really enjoyed the humor. For a ton of people trapped in purgatory, they're all pretty chill about it. Also I love Mix and Boss. Actually, I need all of the staff, they're all so gorgeous and whimsical. Mostly Mix though... he's so yum.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or supporting characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ .5
Genre: Graphic Novel
Are There Gay People in this?*: idk, but I sure felt gay reading it
Dude this graphic novel is so FUN! All the characters have such cool designs, but the art is also done by a TON of different artists so you get to the characters in so many different styles. I also really enjoyed the humor. For a ton of people trapped in purgatory, they're all pretty chill about it. Also I love Mix and Boss. Actually, I need all of the staff, they're all so gorgeous and whimsical. Mostly Mix though... he's so yum.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or supporting characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
January 10, 2026
Hotel Limbo is beautifully illustrated by a multitude of artists using different styles and techniques. However, that also results in some chapters being harder to read than others and makes the overall story a little hard to follow as you feel like you jump through so many people’s ideas for the story. And while the beginning pulled me in, I felt like I often times didn’t understand where we were going. The stories themselves were beautiful and showed the human life and suffering very well. I just wish it had felt more cohesive and flowed into the next persons life more eloquently before jumping back into the hotel limbo personal lives. Just seemed like the book didn’t know if it was telling a story about the folks coming to Hotel Limbo or those who work there as it was all for one every time it flipped.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, IDW Publishing | Top Shelf Productions & NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book honestly!
4.5 stars
A combination of artists worked on this book and I think it fit the limbo/afterlife affect so well. As death is so many things at once and the art style switching up really illustrated that point.
I have a feeling this series will have me in tears, with the idea of moving onto the afterlife and finding ones place and seeing all the workers at Hotel Limbo interact and go about with their abilities.
Oh boy was that ending a twist I didn't expect coming! Now that is what we call a hook people!
4.5 stars
A combination of artists worked on this book and I think it fit the limbo/afterlife affect so well. As death is so many things at once and the art style switching up really illustrated that point.
I have a feeling this series will have me in tears, with the idea of moving onto the afterlife and finding ones place and seeing all the workers at Hotel Limbo interact and go about with their abilities.
Oh boy was that ending a twist I didn't expect coming! Now that is what we call a hook people!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this comic from the moment I opened the cover, the cover is superbly intriguing as well.
The story is whimsical to a certain extent, and a bit surreal. Yet the story flows as we meet Bellboy as tries to first find his feet and then continues to direct hotel guests, to and within this very unusual hotel. There’s humour in abundance.
The art work is just perfect, and the style changes slightly with different artists providing the comic strips for different episodes.
This is the comic you should not miss!
Thank you to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for the comic ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
The story is whimsical to a certain extent, and a bit surreal. Yet the story flows as we meet Bellboy as tries to first find his feet and then continues to direct hotel guests, to and within this very unusual hotel. There’s humour in abundance.
The art work is just perfect, and the style changes slightly with different artists providing the comic strips for different episodes.
This is the comic you should not miss!
Thank you to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for the comic ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Want to dive into something fun? I dare you to read Hotel Limbo by Ben Harel — an underrated visual gem that blends witty storytelling with various stunning artworks.
This is one of those rare graphic novels where the story grabs your attention while delivering pure enjoyment from start to finish. Set in a bizarre, ever-shifting hotel that traps eccentric guests in limbo-like loops, Harel's tale mixes dark humor and wholesome moments about ones regret and redemption. His expressive yet minimalist illustrations full of clever panel layouts and vibrant colors bring the chaos to life, making every page feel like another comic digest itself.
Definitely recommend!
This is one of those rare graphic novels where the story grabs your attention while delivering pure enjoyment from start to finish. Set in a bizarre, ever-shifting hotel that traps eccentric guests in limbo-like loops, Harel's tale mixes dark humor and wholesome moments about ones regret and redemption. His expressive yet minimalist illustrations full of clever panel layouts and vibrant colors bring the chaos to life, making every page feel like another comic digest itself.
Definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5
I thought it was really cool that this had so many artist contributors. I thought that added something unique to the reading experience of this graphic novel.
This has a definite Hazbin Hotel vibe (wouldn't be surprised if that was a source of inspiration for this author).
This was fun, a little confusing at times, but a lot of fun. This has an ensemble cast of characters and silly little situations that they need to deal with.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I thought it was really cool that this had so many artist contributors. I thought that added something unique to the reading experience of this graphic novel.
This has a definite Hazbin Hotel vibe (wouldn't be surprised if that was a source of inspiration for this author).
This was fun, a little confusing at times, but a lot of fun. This has an ensemble cast of characters and silly little situations that they need to deal with.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I got an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The first thing about Hotel Limbo that caught my attention was the style. It had a lot of personality with distinct character designs that piqued my curiosity. At first, it seemed like a comedic story with a bit of a millennial humor but as I read more, it revealed some deeper secrets and lore, which I was pleasantly surprised by. I liked how the relationships between characters developed, especially between Mix and BB and I'm curious to see where the story is going. I've also found the changes in artstyle super fun.
The first thing about Hotel Limbo that caught my attention was the style. It had a lot of personality with distinct character designs that piqued my curiosity. At first, it seemed like a comedic story with a bit of a millennial humor but as I read more, it revealed some deeper secrets and lore, which I was pleasantly surprised by. I liked how the relationships between characters developed, especially between Mix and BB and I'm curious to see where the story is going. I've also found the changes in artstyle super fun.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review
Holy cliff hanger! I need more of this immediately. The artwork was super cool, constantly switching between chapters. This was very sweet and endearing even while dealing with some very heavy topics. I'm enjoying the relationship between the employees of hotel limbo, a waystop for the dearly departed. We follow BB who finds his power in this inbetween and tries to utilize it to help people. Darker forces seem to be moving in the background and I so badly want to find out more.
Holy cliff hanger! I need more of this immediately. The artwork was super cool, constantly switching between chapters. This was very sweet and endearing even while dealing with some very heavy topics. I'm enjoying the relationship between the employees of hotel limbo, a waystop for the dearly departed. We follow BB who finds his power in this inbetween and tries to utilize it to help people. Darker forces seem to be moving in the background and I so badly want to find out more.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'm not going to tell you what this book is about because the surprises and mystery are a big part of why I enjoyed the heck out of it. I laughed out loud several times and felt real empathy for the characters.
It's adorable and fun with a sense of darkness and mystery that contrasts nicely with the cute cartoony style of the art.
I wanted to read it once again almost as soon as I finished the last page.
Delighted thanks to IDW Publishing for the early review copy in exchange for an honest review!
It's adorable and fun with a sense of darkness and mystery that contrasts nicely with the cute cartoony style of the art.
I wanted to read it once again almost as soon as I finished the last page.
Delighted thanks to IDW Publishing for the early review copy in exchange for an honest review!
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