Queens of the Crypt, Vol 1: A Graphic Novel

by Dom&ink

A celebration of all things horror, queerness and figuring out who you want to be.

Teens are going missing in small town Widow’s Creek. When Barnaby Jones is about to become the next victim, they unwittingly summon the Queens of the Crypt, protectors of the world from unspeakable evil. Barnaby and the Queens must work together and unmask the monster behind the kidnappings.

Genres: Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels, Queer, Young Adult, LGBT, Supernatural

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2026

Reviews

[♥Milica♥]

Sooo, who do I contact about being a Crypt Keeper? Is it an inherited position or? Someone lemme know.

Queens of the Crypt has beautiful art, amazing characters, and plenty of humorous and heartwarming scenes to keep you entertained. There was one scene in particular that made me tear up (when they *ALL* worked together to defeat the evil).

I love the themes explored, and the rep (everyone's queer), as well as one very special kitty (Lucy Fur). I can't wait for the next volume, GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!!

[Natalie Meagan]

I really loved this so much, oh my god. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story was funny, heart warming, spooky and fun. I chuckled a few times while reading it. I loved all the different Queens, I loved Barnaby and the found family of it all. I’m so glad this is just volume 1, cannot wait to explore more of the lore and meet more characters!

[Madeline Hockey]

My first graphic novel! This book was so fun and I loved that it included non binary characters and was very LGBTQ+ positive! Really enjoyed the humour in this.

[Sian]

Heartstopper but make it horror.

[Anna St.Pierre]

O my slays. My first graphic novel and I’m shookethed. The references, the characters, the story, and the message - absolute perfection

[Sesana]

Campy and stylish graphic horror, starring gender swapped versions of classic movie monsters. Which is kind of underselling those characters a little, because each of them is entirely their own person and not merely, say, Lady Dracula. Main character Barnaby is appealing and very relatable. The book opens immediatly after they come out to their parents as nonbinary, which didn't exactly go well. I do appreciate that Barnaby seems to feel comfortable in their identity, and that nobody holds their parents' hands as they learn to accept that identity. The plot with the Faceless Frightener moves along at a brisk pace, while leaving enough space to find her threatening. There's a bit of an infodump at the end, but by then I was so in tune with the world I hardly cared. I feel like this will very much appeal to the Monster High girlies who are now in their teens or early 20s.

[Claire Smith-Simmons]

This graphic novel packs a punch. The illustrations are detailed and vivid, they fit perfectly with the story. The story has just the right amount of horror and humour that I like. The Queens were collectively and individually amazing. Barnaby is a strong character and I adored them. There was a left for them to deal with personally and emotionally, which is why I think this really packed a punch. 


I love how the Queens scooped Barnaby up and set off on a Scooby Doo style adventure to investigate the mystery, such a great found family aspect. The twist, did not see that coming at all, loved it. 


I'm thrilled to have read this queer, camp, funny, gothic horror and am really looking forward to seeing more from the author. 


Thank you to the author and hot key books for my copy 

[Kira ♡]

Okay I absolutley loved this! It was just so fabulous in every way. I really didnt know what to expect when going into it and didnt think i'd have such a good time.
This book had so many different elements to it - it was funny, heartwarming, spooky and had such strong characters. Not to mention camp with the perfect amount of gothic. I loved the mystery vibe to it and the personalities each character had. The drawings were perfect and really encompassed the whole vibe of the story.
Im so happy this is only volume 1 because the way this one ended?! I'm so excited to see what else happens and for the characters to develop.

Thank you Bonnier Books for sending me an ARC🫶

[Jazz]

Okay so WHEN is volume 2 coming out because I need it immediately 👀 so camp, so queer, so much fun!!

The artwork is incredible, its such a perfect spooky gothic vibe, and I am absolutely OBSESSED with the Queens and all their big personalities.

I loved seeing so many people in Barnaby's life who loved and accepted them, even not everyone understood their identity at first, as well as Barnaby knowing themself and who they wanted to be!!!! I will forever and always be a sucker for found family 🥹🥹

Also I would die for Lucy Fur.

Thanks to the author & publisher for an ARC!!

[Dolores]

3.5 stars. Barnaby Jones starts their day coming out to their parents as nonbinary. It does not go well, but it is not the worst part of their day. That is when their best friend Fi is kidnapped by the Faceless Frightener who has been grabbing teens from all over the region. Barnaby needs to find a way to save Fi, but luckily finds a portal in their closet that opens into a crypt where some really fabulous undead queens hang out. Together they just may be able to save Fi--and stop the Faceless Frightener. Campy and fun.

[yolandaaa]

this was so entertaining!! i really enjoyed binging this in one sitting 🤭

the illustrations were GORGEOUS 😫 i was literally staring at some pages because they were so beautiful!

the characters had so much flare and fun, it really made the story. it was almost like buffy the vampire slayer meets a classic disney halloween special? which was honestly perfect 🙂‍↕️🙌

so excited for volume 2!

[Beth Knight]

Fantastically camp, fabulously fun, gothic noir romp. A mash up of all the best universal monster movies and 40s noir but gloriously queer. Barnaby traverses gender dysphoria, the abyss, and hunts down their missing best friend with style and heart with gloriously drawn characters. A great read

[RJ The Gay]

i love this. i‘m obsessed with it. the representations, the artstyle, the horror and queerness and humour. this is such a perfect book for me and i can’t wait for the following books!! pls read this!! aaahhhhhh

[Scott]

An utter delight. Barnaby the They (as the Countess dubs them) is a fantastic protagonist. I saw this described as Buffy meets Rocky Horror and I can't think of a better description for the vibe of this graphic novel.

[SummerRae]

The artwork was absolutely fantastic, with such intricate detail. The story was a lot of fun. I loved Barnaby, they had this idaf attitude that really worked here. All the characters were a riot. It could just be a little cheesy at times, but I enjoyed it.

[Ashmita Shanthakumar]

So good, stellar art, heart, humor, and queer rep. It gave such Buffy vibes (and I love Buffy)!

[Marc Godfrey]

Superb! More please!

[Jacqueline Brough]

It's a great read toots!

[Brokenintrovert]

BRILLIANT

oh this was so much fun! queer and camp and made all the right references
and hit very close to home with all that teenage angst rip

fantastic story, i adore the character designs