School Bus Graveyard, Volume 1

by Red

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Comics, Young Adult, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal

272 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2026

Reviews

[Mal Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the entire first and second season on
Webtoons in less than a day. I love the premise of the story and so far I don’t feel like it hits the cliche wall that most webtoons follow. I love it so much I wish there were other books like it.

This is a story about a group of high schoolers who go on a school trip that changes their lives forever. Every night after they are in an alternate world with monsters. Soon realities start to blend.

You have to read this if you love horror and monsters. I wish there was more of it. Can’t wait for season 3!

[Freefall (dead like my skin cells)]

read as the webtoon version

one thing that i had the luxury of not experiencing are red's EVIL cliffhangers on her weekly updates, but now, as sbg is on a year-or-more-long hiatus, i miss it.

the chapters are sadly not very long, but i suppose that makes them digestible, with an easy-to-follow yet simultaneously complex storyline, and an iconic artstyle.

something that i genuinely appreciate so much is the close relationships between the characters, and how everyone's parents/guardians are informed, so the teens don't have to keep the secret as another thing on their plate. the friendships, trust, even relationships are well-formed and natural-ish.

except for the twins and their always-matching outfits.

[Si 🇵🇷 (✨💅Cardan Greenbriars version💅✨) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite webtoon guys. ITS SO GOOD. I can't wait for the physical copy

[cheshmaan ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Webtoon is PEAK
Season 3 is coming out soon I’m literally shaking

[nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Roshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

season 3 when? i want more!

[Savannah Hunter]

OMG OMG MY FAVORITE WEBTOON COMIC IS BEING PUBLISHED IN PRINT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!


excuse me while I go have a heart attack real quick

[Astra Shinestar]

AAAAAAAAAAAA I can't believe this is gonna be in print

[cheshmaan ౨ৎ]

WEBTOON IS PEAK

[Vik ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Me leí las dos temporadas publicadas hasta el momento de esta historia sin poder parar. Es un cómic súper adictivo y con una trama atrapante desde el minuto uno.
El concepto de las dimensiones me recordó a la serie de Stranger things, aunque es muy diferente.
Me gustó muchísimo. Ojalá salga pronto la tercera temporada

[elixir.beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

School Bus Graveyard Volume 1 Book Review
First off, thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Okay, to be honest this is my second time reading school bus graveyard and to tell you the truth it’s just as good as the first!
I’m all for friendships and adventure but when you pair it with danger and monsters in an inter dimensional setting what else can I ask for besides more.
I adored the suspense and plot and the monsters. The group with its banter felt like such a breath of fresh air to the scariness. It’s nicely balanced but also keeps you engaged, very much so.
I cannot wait to read more and it turns out I’ve been waiting for volume three for over a year now so I really need it like pronto!
Truly absolutely five stars! ⭐️

[Maia Soria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terminando la temporada 1... esto es increíble. Me encanta, Ash, Aiden, Tyler, Taylor, Ben y Logan, personalidades totalmente distintas que se ayudan para sobrevivir este caos de energías alternativas. Ash es increíble, al inicio pense que era muy tipo de la vieja escuela de no tengo amigos porque soy demasiado para ellos y blah, blah, blah. La juzgue mal, adoro a esta chica, no tiene pelos en la lengua y ser así de directa funciona con Aiden quieeen realmente no sabe los límites. Un buen duo.
El pasado de Ben me shockeo, me dio mucha lastima ya que lo juzgaron POR SU ALTURA que bronca me da la gente.
Tyler y Taylor... ese final fue desgarrador, si no fuera porque CONFIO EN EL GUIÓN, estaría llorando.
Logan es fuerte a su manera, no todos somos iguales y lo demostró pudiendo apuntar A LA CABEZA sin una practica real con un arma. Cada uno tiene sus fuertes.

[Bin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cool PlayStation 2 style art for a spooky story. I love nothing more than a dark figure with light eyes antagonist and a group of high schoolers hanging out trying to stop evildoers. Can’t wait to read volume 2

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an ARC of this book. The following is my honest opinion *

3.6⭐️ out 5

[pucklies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool place to hang out with friends

[Marcy Lewis Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC from NetGalley***

I love this novel and cannot wait for to read volume 2.

I was hooked from the very first page. The illustrations are vivid and bold, conveying not only the high energy/tension of the leads and the danger of the situations they find themselves in. And then it switches to normal everyday life. I love the characters and their arguments are laugh out loud funny.

Wonderful to see a teenage girl as the leader and how this motley crew of six becomes a team.

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

School Bus Graveyard, vol. 1 by Red is a horror YA webtoon. Six high school classmates share the same nightmare every night, one where they have to run from monstrous phantoms and then make plans to keep surviving during the day. Ashlyn, a ballet dancer who keeps to herself and is uninterested in being social, wears earplugs because she can hear phantom noises in the daytime. When the six students become lost in an old house in Savannah, Georgia, Ashlyn’s abilities attract the phantoms to the whole group and lock them into their new reality.

While this was compared to Five Nights at Freddy’s and Stranger Things, I would put this more as being for fans of anime and manga. There are distinct facial expressions that read very anime (and the author is a fan of anime) that I know can make or break an art style for some people. The premise also feels like it would sit fairly comfortably with manga on the shelves and given how fast-paced it is, could help young anime fans get back into reading.

I was really surprised to hear that Red started publishing this shortly after graduating high school. All of the characters feel very distinct, not only visually, but also in terms of personality and what their biggest concerns are with their current predicament. Or, in the case of Aiden, their utter joy at being locked in a nightmare. Having six distinct characters as part of the core cast is a hard thing to pull off and I am curious to see how they all evolve in future installments.

I have not read School Bus Graveyard before, so I do not know how graphic the gore can get further in the story, but I didn’t think this volume was particularly graphic. The horror elements felt like something I would expect of the middle grade range and are not as graphic as what I have seen in a lot of shounen manga and anime. As such, I would say that at least this volume is appropriate for middle schoolers who want horror but want to read about people older than them.

Content warning for depictions of violence and bullying

I would recommend this to fans of shounen manga and young readers of horror who prefer graphic novels

[Christy Massaad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVEEE THISSS…..!!! I READ IT ALL IN ONE SITTING. OBSESSED! YOU CAN FIND THIS ON WEB TOON. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEW SEASON TO COME OUT IN 2026!!!

(It took 6 hours in one sitting without stopping incase you are curious🥹)

[Pieroszki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Płaczę.

[Ugnė!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did a reread today, I love it so much!

[˗ˏˋ amy liv ᯓ★ (lesbian sombr)]

my favorite webtoon is getting published as a graphic novel everyone cheered

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashlyn has several problems. First, she is super anti-social, to the point where she doesn’t have any friends (and she’s okay with that). Second, she is being forced to hang out with five other random, weird, and annoying kids from school on a daily basis. Third, every night at midnight, all six of them are transported to a dark world where they are pursued by dangerous, demonic phantoms trying to kill them. What is going on? How did this happen? And why did a field trip to Savannah, Georgia start all this? Ashlyn has never been a team player, confidant, or leader, but if the teens are all going to survive this nightmare, she and the others will have to step far out of their comfort zone and do things they have never dared before. 

School Bus Graveyard is a chilling tale of a shared nightmare, one that the six teens must survive in order to wake up again each night. The book starts in media res, with the protagonist and her five new “friends” dealing with a fiendish ghoul, only to then jump away at a life-or-death moment to explain the start of it all in Savannah. The protagonist, Ashlyn, is introverted, neurodivergent-coded, tactical, and very observant, and these traits naturally propel her to the group’s leadership, much to her own shock. The other teens - eccentric Aiden, silent Ben, grumpy Tyler, sporty Taylor, and nerdy Logan - each have their own personalities, quirks, and (many) faults, resulting in awkward, tense, and entertaining interactions and dynamic relationships. The plot is fast-paced and scary, with both the situation and monsters downright frightening in concept and execution. The series compiles episodes 1-32 of the webseries, which currently stands at 92 episodes. Overall, School Bus Graveyard is a horrifying story of deadly mysteries, found family, and survival. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Meagan McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for an honest review!!

School Bus Graveyard is dark, morbid and heavy with a little humor thrown in.

Ashlyn, the main character a ballet dancer, keeps to herself and is uninterested in being social, wears earplugs because she can hear phantom noises in the daytime. When the six students become lost in an old house in Savannah, Georgia, Ashlyn’s abilities attract the phantoms to the whole group and lock them into their new reality.
They now share the same nightmare every night, one where they have to run from these monstrous phantoms and have to make plans to keep surviving during the day and in their nightmares.

Having six distinct characters as part of the core cast is a hard thing to pull off and I am very curious to see how they all evolve in future volumes!

I adored the characters, especially Aiden with his smile, iykyk, the suspense and plot and let's not forget the phantoms. The group with their banter felt like such a breath of fresh air to the seriousness and scariness of it all. It’s nicely balanced but also keeps you engaged.

Overall, I enjoyed this read! This is definitely a book/manga that is easy to read and follow along with.
I love the art, the sharp edges and the muted colors! Definitely different from other mangas/volumes I have read, in a good way!

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Netgalley review, possible plot points mentioned below (SPOILERS ARE POSSIBLE BELOW, you have been warned)


School Bus Graveyard had a plot that hooked me but personally the execution of it fell a bit short. 


I know that showing the interesting part of the book first gets the reader hooked quicker but I almost wish we weren't shown the monsters until the point the characters first meet them. It looses some of its build up and the thrill of not knowing what is coming.


The usage of a big emoji overlaying over the drawing at one point in the beginning really takes you out of the story for a brief moment. I'm personally not a fan of emojis, memes, and celebrity input in books I'm reading that are unnecessary to the story.


The art isn't super clean in the story as it is on the front cover and follows more of a webtoons esc style in facial expressions. I do like the overall style of the book and character designs.


What I did like was how injuries and cutting hair presented itself in the real world after happening in the other dimension. How the pain is perceived differently and how only certain people can tell the shadows are different. 


Overall the plot was very interesting but I don't think it was executed in a way that I will personally be coming back to.


I thank the authors and netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book.

[Yuls ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ★

OKEEEEY ESTOY TIPO ????

school buss graveyard era un webtoon que queria leer hace TANTO pero nunca tenia el tiempo para hacerlo y cuando recién recordé de su existencia, fui tipo: es hora.

Y AMEEEE, la verdad es una historia super entretenida que te mantiene siempre ahí esperando a que mas va a pasar, que los capítulos tuvieran música en los momentos mas estresantes fue increible, realmente te metían dentro de la historia. no puedo creer que ya me termine todo lo que hay publicado y siga en hiatus 😭 tocara esperar.

Sin embargo, siento que hubo un cambio de ritmo desde el momento en que están dentro de esta facility del gobierno a comparación de cuando solo eran ellos 6 contra el mundo, a mi parecer se volvió un poco lento porque como lector no sabias que esperar o la razón de porque estaban ahí encerrados pero los cliffhangers no faltaron eh, eso si on point totalmente.

Aun asi voy a continuar leyéndolo una vez que la serie regrese y seguir acompañando a ashlyn, aiden, logan, taylor, tyler y ben, mis chiquitos, los estimo tanto a todos 🥹

posdata: te amo aiden, sos el mejor personaje 💘

[Erik McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

School Bus Graveyard: Volume 1 was a really fun start to the series and left me wanting to jump straight into the next volume. The blend of creepy supernatural elements with a cast of relatable teens made for a fast and engaging read.

One of my favorite parts was the ragtag group of friends. They all brought something different to the table, and I enjoyed watching their dynamic develop as they were forced to face increasingly terrifying situations together. Ashlyn was a great protagonist, and I have to give a shoutout to her parents because they were genuinely cool. It's always refreshing to see supportive and interesting parents in a YA story.

The phantom world was easily the most intriguing part of the book. I loved uncovering little bits of how it worked, and it left me with so many questions. The mystery surrounding it kept me hooked and made me eager to learn more about what was really going on.

Overall, this was a strong first volume with an engaging cast, an eerie supernatural premise, and plenty of mystery. I'm definitely excited to see where the story goes in Volume 2.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike several other reviewers on Goodreads, I didn't read this on Webtoon but as a physical copy. I enjoyed the darkness of the plot and the garish, almost violent artwork and giggled and shivered by turns. As many high schoolers know, class field trips and group projects can be less than ideal. In the case of the six characters in this graphic novel, both of theirs turn into horror shows as they end up being cursed an haunted by mysterious phantoms while on the trip. Back home, they discover that they are safe until midnight. Naturally, this leads to several sleepless nights and attempts to save themselves by going on the defensive. Since no one else can see these phantoms, the adults in their lives are disconcerted by their behavior. The slow changes in new girl, Ashlyn, and the secrets revealed by the rest of the group add a layer of realism to this horror tale, much of it set on a school bus of all things. There are plenty of holes to be filled in the next installment of this spooky series.

[Idun Reids · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was time to revisit an old fave of mine as SBG finally has been published physically!

When I first began reading this, the story had just been picked up by the Webtoon team. I had such a lovely time waiting for new parts each week and still, to this day, keep up with any updates. But this was my first time rereading the beginning since I initially read it.

It's quite lovely to look back and be able to compare the art, dialogue and storytelling of the past to the newest season. The start can feel a bit slow at first, with some instances of characters explaining what the reader can pick up on visually. This is minor, though, and does not take away from the overall quality of the story.

The last stretch is definitely the most interesting part!

Ashlyn is still a favourite character of mine and the artstyle is one that fits the story and characters so well!! 👌

I hope there'll be a second physical volume I can add to my graphic novel shelf, but until then, I'll keep my eyes on Webtoon in hopes of more updates.

4.5 stars

[Alison Eng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fan of the webcomnic, now physical copies are in stores!
School Bus Graveyard is a story about six teenagers who go on a school field trip and stumble upon an otherworldly dimension that transforms into a living nightmare 💀. There’s no escape, not even in their sleep. In the otherworld dimension, the Phantoms are dangerous and chase anyone on sight. To survive, Ash, Aiden, Ben, Taylor, Tyler, and Logan have to put their differences aside to work together.

Volume 1 basically introduces all the characters and sets up the story. We get little tidbits of each character, both hobbies, interests, and secrets they end up sharing as they work together to escape the nightmare they're trapped in. As I reread the series, I forgot so many little details about our cast of characters before the incident, as well as the foreshadowing of certain events later on. Red the author has come a long way with the progression of the story and the artwork.