Stagtown: Volume 1 [A Horror Graphic Novel]

by Punko

A young woman investigates the strange events terrorizing her hometown in this heart-pounding horror graphic novel.

Something mysterious is happening all around Cameras are appearing everywhere on the streets, and even in the corners of apartments and homes. Cutting one down only spawns more in its place. Someone is surveilling the residents and now that Frankie is back home from college, she is going to discover who—or what—is behind this.

After the shocking death of her neighbor Jeremy, Frankie becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind these occurrences. Armed with Jeremy’s box of cryptic clues, a loyal cat companion, and the help of Jeremy’s friend Felix, Frankie embarks on a perilous journey through town. Her quest leads her to a sinister marble house, a blood-stained carousel, a dark underground cellar filled with traps, and more. Each encounter brings her closer to the horrifying truth, culminating in a desperate attempt to escape Stagtown once and for all.

With beautifully haunting illustrations and a terror-filled story, Stagtown is a masterpiece of psychological horror. This volume includes the complete first season of the Webtoon comic, along with a bonus mini-comic.

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

432 pages, Paperback

Published October 6, 2026

Reviews

[Krissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a e-graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting start to a twisty tale of three individuals in a town that seems to be keeping them there, altering their memories, and preventing them from leaving. There's also Littles the cat who just happens to be the best character in the story (so cute)! It definitely starts out a little slow, but it does get more interesting as you go along. Though basic (with a limited color scheme), the illustrations were still well done and the times when color was thrown in made the scene pop. I'm definitely interested in volume and recommend giving this a try!

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A webcomic about a girl who returns to her home town where wierd things begin to happen. It's got that thing going on now where nothing is explained, it's just unsettling things happening. Because at this point there's no reason or cause why this stuff is happening, it only gets 3 stars.

[Nic & Ry Meltdownerz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley and the author who a copy of this horror graphic novel. This has unlocked like 10 new fears and phobias in me, thank you for that. Surveillance, tight spaces especially that was horrendous! This is actually the most scary graphic novel I've read, I don't usually feel that scared but you nailed it unfortunately.

The art is perfection, the protagonists are too brave and I would never want to be in their situations EVER!

There is so much to be afraid of it this, i couldn't even narrow it down, a lot of this book will live in my brain rent free 😏 the marbles, the crawl space, that was crazy, UM, no thanks.

No notes 5 star read!

[shatterinseconds · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This legit creeped me out at times.

[valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated from the start, read it in one sitting, and found that it slowly built into a horror story beyond what I expected from the first couple of chapters. I believe horror isn’t defined by how much it scares you, but rather by the unsettling and eerie atmosphere and events that make it dreadful and either suspenseful, horrific, or both. Stagtown manages to pull you into its mysteries and make you feel the dread and atmosphere of this haunted town that makes you want the characters to escape just as much as they do. I really enjoyed the art style and found the characters interesting that I quickly grew attached, despite how fast this story goes. I eagerly await the next volume, and can’t wait to discover what happens to Frankie, Felix, and Jeremy as they continue to survive Stagtown and its haunting events.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really creepy graphic novel, meant to make you think about it long after you put it down, as all good horror stories do.


The main character, Frankie, goes back to her home town, which seems different, somehow. There is something watching. And that is just the first chapter. As weirder things happen, she finds she can’t leave. Nor does she remember wanting to leave.


We can see some of what is going on. But only a little more than Frankie can. And since this is only volume 1,we have more to deal with of this town that doesn’t want to let people go.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 6th of October 2026.

[Continuity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stagtown is a horror graphic novel perfect for fans of Junji Ito.

The novel is almost episodic, with every chapter bringing in a new evil, from cameras that survey the town to children who vomit marbles. It’s bizarre and eerie, but unique and refreshing at the same time. This flavor of horror is not my favorite, but I can be objective and admit that Punko nailed the vibe.

The characters were also great. The middle chunk of the novel felt a bit stale when Frankie was just by herself. In my opinion, the novel really shone when other characters were thrown into the mix. The ending chapter, in particular, that showed depth to a side character hooked me and made it to where I am waiting (impatiently) for the next volume. Punko left enough unexplained to make you crave more.

Overall, I highly recommend it to anyone who’s a huge fan of this genre of horror. I think you’ll absolutely love it. For me, I could see myself falling in love with the series eventually as we learn more about the characters and fall for them. Thank you, NetGalley, Ten Speed Press, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed certain parts of the graphic novel, though others felt less engaging and didn’t add much to the overall story. I also found the narrative somewhat disjointed at times. I think I might have enjoyed it more if the story had been split into two volumes. Still, as someone who enjoys Junji Ito’s work, I appreciated the graphic novel’s similar approach to horror, which reminded me of the unsettling style I’ve come to enjoy in his stories.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press/Ten Speed Graphic for the ARC.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would make a great movie.

[Mehsi]

I received this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.


So I read a bit of this on Webtoon MANY years ago before I stopped reading (not sure why, maybe because WT removed things as they like to do, or maybe I just got too much of a backlog and gave up). Either way, I did love it so I was excited when I saw this first volume on Edelweiss. This is a crazy series and I was looking forward to reading more.

The first 68 pages were mostly a nostalgia ride as I recognised mostly everything. It was a nice refresher. After that it was all new and I was on the edge of my seat reading because each time you think the worst is over… the next terrible thing appears. You are never safe. Never safe. Never.

Meet Frankie, she is very excited to go back to her hometown of Stagtown. She is looking forward to it. Right from the start though strange things start to happen. And at first you think that maybe this is just an anomaly. Something weird. But as the story ramps up and things get more and more scary, not just cameras but also weird kids, scary deer, strange machines, and more, you begin to realise that this town is fucked. And then we learn certain things and I was just on the edge of my seat and gasping. And yes, I am keeping it very vague, this is a book you have to experience yourself. I can tell you that it is terrifying and that the mystery runs deep. Has deep roots. Very deep roots.

At first Frankie is determined. She has courage. She is also scared, but also wants to solve things, save her town (or at least get the fuck out). She meets someone who also wants to help. Someone connected to Jeremy. But as the story progresses we see that things are wearing down on her (and him), they are getting traumatized, Frankie especially is just done with it all (which is logical, I mean, come on, I would have just cried so much if I was in that town). While of course this is horrific to see, I do appreciate the author showing us this. I have read so many horror with character that fall down to the ground, do a bit of a sigh and a cry and then get up. That is great for them, but I am happy to see these characters fall in despair and that things aren’t so easy to get over. It makes things more scary, more real, it makes you want to root for them even harder.

I also loved that you never know what is next. Sure, some things you can guess as you are handed more puzzle pieces, but quite often things just come out of nowhere and believe me you will be terrified.

And deer in horror is already terrifying, wait until you see these deer. XD

I loved the last part with Jeremy and learning more about a certain character (and some revelations that had me fucking gasping because I hadn’t EXPECTED THAT) + the extra bonus story with the cute cat. Those were really nice bonuses and I appreciate that the author added them.

The art was fabulous. It is all very minimal in colours which I appreciate.

I NEED MORE. And I would highly recommend this book to everyone in need for something spooky, terrifying, and full of mystery! Perfect for this season.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[S.Q. Eries · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Summary
If you’re willing to read through Stagtown‘s first 100 pages of seemingly disconnected weirdness, you will be rewarded by a very interconnected horror narrative set in a small town. The creator does a great job creating entrapment and escape scenarios, and images are terrifying without getting overly graphic. There are some logistical issues that get glossed over (e.g., no one’s driving in and out of town so how can their stores/restaurants be so well-stocked?). But if you don’t care about those details, you can enjoy our characters chasing after the mystery behind an enemy that has eyes all over Stagtown.

The Review
Frankie is a recent college graduate who has moved back to her home, Stagtown. It’s a boring little place in the mountains, and she leads an ordinary life after her return – until the creepy surveillance cameras appear all over town. Shortly thereafter, Jeremy, her conspiracy theorist neighbor, plummets to his death in a horrifying incident. Something bizarre is happening to Stagtown, and like it or not, Frankie finds herself at the center of it.

This graphic novel is a slow starter. Because we don’t get many initial details on Frankie, she’s somewhat difficult to relate to. For a woman who has returned to the town she grew up in, there’s a glaring gap of connection to the place – no mention at all of family, no interactions with longtime friends/acquaintances, no special or favorite places, and no substantial backstory to speak of. Even by the end of the volume, we don’t know what she supposedly does for a living. Later in the narrative, we discover the reasons for this gap, but until that reveal, it comes off as weird characterization/poor storytelling.

The arcs of the first four chapters also feel weirdly disconnected. Certainly, the events and images are disturbing, as befits this genre. However, because they seem unrelated, you don’t get a sense of malintent. The Chapter 2 Marble House children are so wildly different from the Chapter 1 video cameras that I found the kids and their marbles more confusing than scary. And the way Frankie gets in trouble in Chapter 3 smacked of an idiot victim in a B-list slasher. Despite her painstaking preparations to retrieve Jeremy’s belongings at night from a basement storage unit that she knows has crummy lighting, she doesn’t bring a flashlight, and of course her phone is not charged. Also, she brings bolt cutters to snip off the storage unit padlock but doesn’t use it to snip off the much smaller lock off a lockbox?

Fortunately, the pace picks up once Frankie gets trapped beneath the farmhouse in Chapter 4. Then things get really intense in Chapter 7 with the introduction of Felix. Between the two characters, their mysterious antagonist takes enough shape to truly feel like a threat. Felix also brings real conversations to the story. Prior to him, Frankie’s only interactions are with strangers, the landlord (who only acts in a landlord capacity), and Jeremy, whom she considers an acquaintance at best. So it’s a relief to have an actual friend relationship added to the story.

Unlike Jeremy and Frankie, whose occupations are never mentioned, we get a pile of details on Felix. He is a tattoo artist, he knits, he plays video games, he works out, and there’s enough random Spanish awkwardly thrown into his dialogue to hammer in the fact that he’s Latino. He is largely upbeat, which is a good contrast to Frankie’s more serious personality, and he processes situations differently than she does. So we get variations in terms of their emotional responses and strategies when they are under attack.

The volume goes full-on adventure mode in the final chapters with a river escape attempt and a chase in an abandoned mineshaft. This is only Volume 1, so our characters do get closure on one key point, but their as-yet-unnamed enemy remains on the loose. Which, of course, is the hook for Volume 2.

The book is massive and heavy: 428 pages printed on glossy stock. It is in color, although the creator mainly uses color in very broad strokes. For instance, in one panel, Felix is colored entirely brown, and Frankie is entirely lavender. In intense scenes, color is used to highlight blood, significant objects, or sound effects. This title was originally a Webtoon, and the placement of panels and dialogue is occasionally confusing. The art style and facial expressions effectively convey atmosphere and emotions. However, the characters all look very young. They’re supposed to be in their early to mid-20s, but they look like high school kids.

Extras include a bonus mini-comic and creator afterword.

For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!

[East of Reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect blend of horror, mystery, romance, and eldritch abomination. It’s moody and atmospheric, relying more on the growing and unsettling dread rather than gore; so much is set up, so many pieces laid out, giving you the impression that this book is going to be following a rather standard and straightforward narrative of ghoolies and ghastlies with a collection of short stories only to laugh at you, pat you on the shoulder, and push you off a cliff.

In a way it’s very good natured. While the tone is dark and ominous, the book isn’t mean spirited. It’s telling a story, it’s setting a scene, it’s inviting you in. In a way it’s a more mature Gravity Falls crossed with Lovecraft, with your imagination (and Frankie’s) welcome to come along. The small town is wonderfully eerie in how empty it is; the children are suitably creepy in a very childish way; the cameras — featured in the first book — are just unsettling, but the focus isn’t on the horrors. It’s on Frankie.

I like that now matter how much she’s scared, beaten down, worn down and breaking; she’s not a hero, she’s a survivor. She’s not out there with unbelievable fortitude; she’s touched by what’s going on around her, afraid of the scary things, unsettled by the eerie things, lost amongst the mysteries and all she wants is for it all to stop. She’s very relatable.

Felix, a helpful fellow mystery solver, is more determined to escape, but even he is limited by what he can realistically do against unseen and horribly powerful threats. He wants to be a hero, but more than that he just wants to get out, to get away from things. They’re not out to solve the puzzle and save the town, they’re out to save themselves — and the cat.

This is great. The art is solid, the limited color palette works with the story, and for all that it’s a visual medium it’s so much more about showing you than trying to tell you. There’s no visual exposition, just a slow and deliberate twitch of the curtain, giving you just enough of a glimpse to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Horror, like comedy, is so subjective. But this works well for me on every level. Thank you so, so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

[2old4BookTok · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a really good time with this one, though maybe not in the way I expected.

The biggest strength of Stagtown is its atmosphere. The town feels wrong from the start, and the story does an excellent job making bizarre things feel almost normal, which somehow makes them even creepier. I kept turning pages because I wanted to know what was going on and what weird thing would happen next.

That said, I wouldn't personally call this horror. Unsettling? Definitely. Creepy? Absolutely. But for me it felt more like an older, darker version of Goosebumps or Are You Afraid of the Dark? than something genuinely scary. The horror relies more on eerie imagery, mysteries, and the feeling that reality is slightly off-kilter than on gore or psychological terror.

I also started feeling the length toward the end. At over 400 pages, there were moments when I wanted a break from the constant stream of strange events and mysteries. Not because I wasn't enjoying it—I was—but because I was ready for either more answers or a change of pace.

Still, Volume 1 does exactly what a first volume should do: it introduces memorable characters, creates a wonderfully unsettling setting, and leaves me curious enough to continue.

Even though this wasn't a perfect fit for my personal horror tastes, I can absolutely see why so many people love it, and I'm interested to see where the story goes next.

[Jennah Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel follows a young girl who returns to her hometown, only to find herself trapped by a series of unsettling and supernatural events. The eerie, suspenseful atmosphere is reminiscent of the TV show ‘FROM’ on MGM+, as the main character’s every attempt to escape is thwarted by mysterious forces. The sense of claustrophobia and mounting dread is palpable, making it impossible to put down.

I remembered reading this as a WEBTOON years ago. I loved it when I read it and was BEYOND excited to see it appear on NETGALLEY. Rereading what I had read and beyond was just as great, if not better, than the first time. This graphic novel is a must-read for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

The art is spooky and gritty—perfectly matching the story's eerie, mysterious tone. The use of shadows and detailed backgrounds really adds to the unsettling feel. The story unfolds at a great pace, never dragging or rushing, keeping you hooked and always wanting to turn the next page.

As a side note, I love ALL the characters and have grown SUPER attached to them. The way the author makes them so likable in so few words is amazing.

This graphic novel is a must-read for fans of supernatural mysteries and character-driven stories. I cannot recommend it highly enough—I'm already desperate for the next volume!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Punko, TenSpeed Graphic and NetGalley for the eARC of Stagtown Vol. 1!

Stagtown is a horror novel that stays with you. Frankie returns home to find that all things are not as she remembered them. Her new crazy neighbor Jeremy is a conspiracy theorist that seems harmless enough. However, she starts wondering if he's on to something as cameras start filling the hallways, the streets, and even her apartment. Is this Big Brother or is she also losing her mind. When Jermey goes missing, she is determined to figure out what happened to him or leave town; however, when she tries to leave, she learns that it's not possible. Is this a disease that's spread in town or something more sinister going on?

I had never heard of Punko, and I only recently got into webtoon comics and graphic novels. This book felt long in the world of graphic novels, but by the final page I kept trying to turn pages that weren't there. Every new page had a new inciting incident that kept me going back for more. I felt almost like I was Frankie and couldn't leave Stagtown because I needed to know what happened next. This book makes you creeped out, obsessed, and a little paranoid. I read this book in one sitting, and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for Vol. 2.

#NetGalley #StagtownVolume1

[Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of Stagtown!

I read Stagtown on Webtoon about three years ago. I was obsessed with it at the time, so I am so excited that it's getting published as a graphic novel! Stagtown starts off with a few, somewhat unrelated horror episodes revolving around the protagonist, Frankie. Eventually, the first few episodes begin to tie together and a larger, ancient horror is slowly unveiled that is dead set on keeping Frankie, and everyone else, in Stagtown.

Horror webtoons often rely on the way scrolling can create an extremely creepy series of images that build on each other to create one, cohesive, element. Unfortunately, it's harder to achieve that with a traditional graphic novel, but I think that the panel layouts were expertly done. In my opinion, very little was lost in the conversion from webtoon to graphic novel.

In regards to the art, I love Punko's illustration style and aesthetic. I find the illustrations of the carousel to be particularly eerie. I have found myself feeling the urge to ride a carousel, but also go nowhere near one ever again. Punko also uses color-coding for characters and items associated with them, which helps the reader visualize the growing friendship between Frankie and Felix.

Overall, I'll be recommending this to all my graphic novel reading friends and patrons as I eagerly await Volume 2.

[Roelia (Roelia Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stagtown: Volume 1 is one of the most unsettling graphic novels I’ve read in ages. Frankie returns home after college and quickly realises her hometown is not the place she remembers. Cameras appear overnight. Children behave in ways that feel wrong. Her neighbour Jeremy dies under strange circumstances, and she becomes determined to understand what is happening. She teams up with Felix and her cat Little Friend, and together they try to uncover the truth behind the town’s strange behaviour.

The art is creepy and expressive, and it creates a vibe that actually makes you uncomfortable. The limited color palette gives a cold claustrophobic feel that suits the story perfectly. I loved how each chapter worked as its own horror vignette while still feeding into a larger mystery. Frankie is a brilliant protagonist. She’s scared and stubborn and very human, which made her easy to root for. The audiobook edition is fantastic as well. The sound design adds a steady tension that makes the whole experience even more immersive.

This is psychological horror with a surreal twist, and it kept me hooked from start to finish. I closed the book feeling unsettled and very ready for Volume 2. Five stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for this eARC!

#StagtownVolume1 #NetGalley

[Catia Araujo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic comic adaptation of the webtoon of the same name, collecting the first half of the story. Having actually read the original Webtoon a few years ago, it was an absolute pleasure to dive back into this world and experience it all over again as a re-read!

The plot consists of multiple self-contained episodes, usually depicting a new attempt at escape or gathering information about the town's central mystery. Because of this format, Stagtown is definitely the kind of story that will be heavily defined by its ultimate resolution (which we'll see in Volume 2). Nonetheless, the setup so far remains incredibly intriguing and the characters are highly engaging—just don't expect many answers or explanations just yet.

Visually, the art features more simplistic character designs contrasted with highly intricate sceneries. At first, I couldn't shake the feeling that the characters were missing a layer of shading, but the art style quickly grew on me and fits the atmosphere perfectly.

So far, so interesting! This remains one of the better webtoons I have ever come across, and the print format does it justice.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Carrie Gulledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely 100 percent obsessed with this entire story and I cannot wait for the next installment. Its been a while since a graphic novel really pulled me in with this level of immersion. Each chapter, while it's own contained episode, told a complete story from one to the next. I enjoyed the chapters that took us back to a memory (even though that very last one was a total, unexpected punch in the gut). I really loved watching Frankie and Felix's friendship develop. Also, huge fan of our cat companion and his own little short chapter there towards the end was really fun.

This story had a great mix of found family, situational horror and mystery. There is a chapter where Frankie ends up stuck underground that really absorbed you in what she was feeling throughout in a very gut wrenching sort of way. By the end of the novel, you are feeling every feeling our characters are feeling. I was anxiously hoping they would make it out and that Littles would be ok every time they attempted one of their plans. I'm not entirely sold on what the underlying cause was for the town and I am hoping the next installment really delves more in to that in ways that make it a more solid cause.

**Arc from Netgalley**

[Loreleï Loreleï · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

A horror-filled atmosphere that reminded me a bit of Junji Ito’s work, with that strange, unsettling, and at times downright terrifying quality.

The story is fairly episodic at first, with a series of unsettling situations that seem unrelated to one another, but a common thread quickly begins to emerge. I really liked the way the story plays with different fears—whether it’s constant surveillance, confined spaces, memory loss, or that feeling of never really understanding what’s going on.

On the other hand, I found the whole thing a bit too long for a single volume. The story would likely have benefited from being split into two volumes, just to give certain passages more breathing room and better develop the mysteries.

Especially since several questions remain unanswered once you turn the last page. spoiler/How did Jeremy manage to survive? Did they really manage to get rid of the entity? And most importantly, what exactly is this entity?/spoiler I wonder if there will be a second volume to clear all this up.

An intriguing read, with a well-crafted atmosphere and some great horror concepts, but one that left me wanting more in terms of explanations.

[Waldkauzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl is stuck in a small, eerie town, and any attempt to escape is opposed by terror-inducing forces.

This is a comic adaptation of the same-named webtoon, collecting the first half of the story, which consists of multiple self-contained episodes which usually depict a new attempt at escape or information gathering about the town's mystery. 
Considering that, I think Stagtown is that kind of story which is hugely affected by its resolution (to be seen in volume 2). Nonetheless, the setup of the story so far remains intriguing and the characters are engaging, but do not expect many things to be explained yet. 
The art mostly depicts more simplistic character design and more intricate sceneries. At the beginning, I couldn't shake the feeling that every character was missing a layer of shading, but the art style grew on me.

So far, so interesting! One of the better webtoons I have come across. T​hanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for an ARC for an honest review.

[librariSAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to an e-ARC for review purposes.

This was a really great read with great characters, plot and suspense!

It feels like the author took huge inspiration from Junji Ito in the best way. The way the horror was presented was really similar, which is fantastic for me as Ito is one of my all time favorite writers. The suspense is written really well and the horror really stands out to me as something truly terrifying. Being trapped/stuck is one of my biggest fears in this world and this novel really ramped that up to an 11. The main character is super relatable and feels like a real person with flaws and maybe not the best decision-making skills. I was on the edge of my seat the whole novel and was also so scared to keep reading.

I am excited to continue this to see what happens. I would recommend this to any fan of horror - especially Junji Ito and phycological horror.

[Amanda M. Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fran is a little lost on how to deal with her problems. She has a nice enough neighbor who is a little bit of a kook named Jeremy and both of them have started to notice things are a little weird in their town and it's about to get a lot more complicated.

Stagtown is a very fun and interesting graphic novel, it's horror, mystery, supernatural, and a bit sci-fi, so something of a genrebender with lots of twists and turns you aren't quite sure how to process even as you're sucked from moment to moment as the narrative progresses. Equal parts Junji Ito, Twin Peaks, and small town horror, it gives you a really engaging story and great art to get hooked on right from the beginning. Fran is a relatable protagonist and it's really easy to get pulled into the story of Stagtown through her perspective, each strange little turn of the plot growing more complex as it goes along. I really had a lot of fun reading this and was very happy with the outcome.

[Amanda Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something VERY wrong with Stagtown.

This was such a fun, creepy ride. Just when you think you’ve figured out what kind of horror story you’re reading, Stagtown basically says, “Oh, you thought THAT was the problem?” and reveals another layer of weirdness.

Every turn brings a new threat, a new danger, or some deeply disturbing truth about the town, and every answer somehow creates five more questions. The deeper you get into Stagtown, the more you realize you have absolutely no idea what is actually happening there. Which, as a horror reader, I thoroughly enjoyed.

I also love the fact that this originally started as a WEBTOON series where readers helped determine the direction of the story. That is SUCH a cool concept and makes the twists and turns even more fun.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Creepy town. Increasingly disturbing revelations. Lots of WTF is happening here energy.

Yeah, I’ll absolutely be reading the next volume.

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junji Ito Meets Under the Dome!

Stagtown by Punko is such a bizarre, immersive ride that feels like you’ve stepped into something you’re not entirely supposed to understand. It is exactly like a creepy Junji Ito story. That’s exactly what makes it so addictive. The story drops you into this eerie, looping town where things feel just slightly off at first, and then progressively, unsettlingly wrong in ways that are hard to even articulate. There are creepy cameras (which made me paranoid), creatures, holes in the walls, sealed-over walls, and a terrifying mystery. It has that perfect blend of mystery, quiet horror, and creeping dread, where you’re constantly trying to piece together what’s happening while also accepting that the answers might not come cleanly. It’s weird, it’s atmospheric, and it’s one of those stories that gets under your skin without ever needing to scream.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Ten Speed Press for providing me with ARC of this graphic novel.

OH MY GOD. I LOVE THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL!!

This novel follows Frankie, a girl who returns to her hometown after many years. She moves beside this "crazy conspiracy theorist" guy, Jeremy. At first, she ignored the guy when he babbled about how government might be watching them. But Frankie could no longer ignore him when the mysterious CCTVs appeared all over the town and they seemed... alive. Any attempt to take them down only resulted in increase of their numbers. And no one knew where the wires to these CCTVs lead to...

This is a 10/10 small town horror that uses dread instead of jumpscares or gore. The story and art style is 10/10. Though I must say I preferred the webtoon version more than the comic version.

[Chelsea is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie moves back to her hometown but there is something wrong with Stagtown. After a series of odd events and the death of her neighbor, Frankie decides she needs to leave but Stagtown has other plans and is now Frankie's sinister prison.

This did a great job of setting up an eerie town feel. The story starts with some odd things but slowly a sense of dread grows. I love the friendship and teamwork between Frankie and Felix. There is also a cute cat, Little Friend! This was originally a Webtoon and from what I gather will be a two part book series. I feel putting it all together flows well but it did feel a little drawn out and repetitive in a few spots. I also still have many questions about the mystery of this town which I am hoping will all come together in book 2.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!

[Abby Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favorite horror comic of all time. Americana horror doesn't get nearly the love it deserves, which Punko seeks to rectify with a chilling story about what happens when the past is forgotten but doesn't want to stay that way.

I adore the Webtoon version of this comic and am so, so happy to own it physically. Overall, the vertical, scrolling layout of Webtoon was brilliantly converted to the more standard, printable comic pages without losing the surreal sense of terror that builds up brilliantly over time. My only complaint is that there are a few panels that are blurry, potentially from compression issues? Or maybe the panel was small in the webcomic but needed to be blown up bigger for the book? I wish those had been retouched, but overall I'm just as pleased as any brainwashed townsperson could be! I can't wait for volume two!

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC


Frankie returns to her hometown to find it very different. Lots of strange events taking place; surveillance cameras everywhere, kids acting bizarre, her neighbor dies and his belongings mysteriously disappear. She wants to figure out what is going on, with Felix and her cat by her side the real horrific adventure begins.

The art was really good, giving this novel its creepy and eerie atmosphere. At times some of the story seemed to stall, specially when Frankie was figuring things out and really lost me. Since this is the first volume, I really hope this is more of an introduction to the craziness that might come next. To me everyone is acting really weird, suspicious, but Frankie is determined to unravel the supernatural and unhinged series of events.

50% read

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Okay wow, this was a great thriller/ mystery comic. I love how each chapter focused on a different terror but was all part of an interconnected plot. The more simple art style suited the more complicated story - love that juxtaposition.

Our main girl Frankie goes through a lot during this volume - honestly it's generous to call this 1 volume, it felt like 2 - definitely not a bad thing. I also really liked the twist in the end that brought things back full circle and added yet another layer of complexity which i really hope we get to explore more in volume 2.

If you're looking for a thirller/ mystery comic that will keep you on the edge of your seat - this ones for you!