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Stagtown: Volume 1
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jan 79Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 03:17:04
24 copies available
U.S. only
464 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 2, 2079
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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. Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for an ARC for an honest review.
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. Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for an ARC for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Webtoon always hitting with those hidden treasures. I read this volume in one setting, so that's an indication of how addictive this was written.
It seems from the first glance like your typical horror story: a girl moves into a new town, where a bunch of weird things happen with no explanation, and she has this weird paranoid neighbour who seems to be the only one onto what's happeneing.
but it's so much more than that, and I feel like going into it blind is the best way to experience it.
since then I've known that the entire comic is now completed on webtoon, and since this first volume only covers the first half, I won't be waiting for a second volume and will bing the rest of the webtoon very soon, I really want to know how it's all going to be resolved.
It seems from the first glance like your typical horror story: a girl moves into a new town, where a bunch of weird things happen with no explanation, and she has this weird paranoid neighbour who seems to be the only one onto what's happeneing.
but it's so much more than that, and I feel like going into it blind is the best way to experience it.
since then I've known that the entire comic is now completed on webtoon, and since this first volume only covers the first half, I won't be waiting for a second volume and will bing the rest of the webtoon very soon, I really want to know how it's all going to be resolved.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for providing me with an ARC of Stagtown in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Stagtown. The artwork is fantastic, the pacing is great, and I loved how multiple stories gradually blended into one bigger mystery.
What stood out most was the unconventional horror. Rather than relying on just monsters, the story creates a constant sense of paranoia, claustrophobia, and being watched, which makes it genuinely unsettling and much more impactful.
I also enjoyed the romantic storyline towards the end, which sets things up nicely for the next book. Overall, a creepy, engaging read that kept me hooked throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for providing me with an ARC of Stagtown in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Stagtown. The artwork is fantastic, the pacing is great, and I loved how multiple stories gradually blended into one bigger mystery.
What stood out most was the unconventional horror. Rather than relying on just monsters, the story creates a constant sense of paranoia, claustrophobia, and being watched, which makes it genuinely unsettling and much more impactful.
I also enjoyed the romantic storyline towards the end, which sets things up nicely for the next book. Overall, a creepy, engaging read that kept me hooked throughout.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amazing read!!!! Took me a while to finish the story but it cuz it soooo good!! There mysteries there suspense. Everything is just right!! I savour every drop of mystery this book had. The town is super mysterious. I really want to read more!! I wanna see Frankie and Felix getting out of there!! So many things happen to them both and I wanna see them finally get out of there. Love every minute of reading this book!!!
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Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advance~
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Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advance~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
Amazing book. Incredible volume. This story had me hooked. Still by still, page by page. I never knew this was something on WebToons. Over 400 pages. 14 to 15 chapters. Great town scare and mystery. What is the power? What is the history? What are the routes? Why a particular symbol? Horror, mystery, romance, everything is sprinkled in here and not overdone. This book will definitely have a multitude of followers.
Punko keep writing. I can wait for volume 2!
Amazing book. Incredible volume. This story had me hooked. Still by still, page by page. I never knew this was something on WebToons. Over 400 pages. 14 to 15 chapters. Great town scare and mystery. What is the power? What is the history? What are the routes? Why a particular symbol? Horror, mystery, romance, everything is sprinkled in here and not overdone. This book will definitely have a multitude of followers.
Punko keep writing. I can wait for volume 2!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rather than relying on cheap scares, it builds an atmosphere of quiet dread where every page feels slightly wrong, making you question what is real alongside the characters. The artwork perfectly complements the eerie tone, balancing beauty with discomfort. I especially appreciated how the mystery unfolds gradually, leaving just enough unanswered questions to keep the tension alive. It's creepy, imaginative, and deeply immersive,a graphic novel that proves psychological horror can be far more disturbing than gore. An excellent read for anyone who enjoys strange, unsettling stories.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC!
I'm a sucker for any character who bears the burden of remembering (especially their relationships with others) when everyone else forgets (thanks Madoka Magica). The carousel imagery was terrifying, especially as the story progressed. Stagtown really played to its visual strengths with the claustrophobic environments. I actually cared about the characters and they felt nuanced and multidimensional, which is often an issue I have with graphic novels. I was relieved to discover that it's a completed webtoon so I can keep reading!
I'm a sucker for any character who bears the burden of remembering (especially their relationships with others) when everyone else forgets (thanks Madoka Magica). The carousel imagery was terrifying, especially as the story progressed. Stagtown really played to its visual strengths with the claustrophobic environments. I actually cared about the characters and they felt nuanced and multidimensional, which is often an issue I have with graphic novels. I was relieved to discover that it's a completed webtoon so I can keep reading!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this graphic novel.
This gave me major Junji Ito vibes with a creepy town that won't let our MC leave.
The creepy cameras, stags, house, caves and black liquid all make our MC feel like she's going crazy.
However, I felt like this was just a little bit too long and dragged at times. Especially the repetition of 'let's leave the town, oh no we can't' became a bit mundane but that's just personal preference.
This gave me major Junji Ito vibes with a creepy town that won't let our MC leave.
The creepy cameras, stags, house, caves and black liquid all make our MC feel like she's going crazy.
However, I felt like this was just a little bit too long and dragged at times. Especially the repetition of 'let's leave the town, oh no we can't' became a bit mundane but that's just personal preference.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read part of this as the Webtoon, so was very excited to see where the rest of the story went.
I was not disappointed, it was so good! Creepy and twisty and quite unnerving. It was giving me Uzumaki vibes but more fleshed out and cohesive in its story telling. I loved that it was able to break some of the tension with some humor but it didn't take away from the seriousness of the overall story. I loved the art style, I think the limited colour really added to the atmosphere of the comic.
I was not disappointed, it was so good! Creepy and twisty and quite unnerving. It was giving me Uzumaki vibes but more fleshed out and cohesive in its story telling. I loved that it was able to break some of the tension with some humor but it didn't take away from the seriousness of the overall story. I loved the art style, I think the limited colour really added to the atmosphere of the comic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
Junji Ito goes goth ala adventures of Wednesday Adams.
Some episodes are shorter than others. Some don't really advance the plot or go anywhere, whereas other episodes build upon the previous stories. I tned to vear toward the macabre so these were right up my alley. I did rate it a 3/5; however, depending upon the next volume this could actually be a 4/5.
Junji Ito goes goth ala adventures of Wednesday Adams.
Some episodes are shorter than others. Some don't really advance the plot or go anywhere, whereas other episodes build upon the previous stories. I tned to vear toward the macabre so these were right up my alley. I did rate it a 3/5; however, depending upon the next volume this could actually be a 4/5.
June 7, 2026
Loved this! I went into this ARC blind and was not disappointed. Frankie was a great FMC. She made decisions I would make and I really felt when she was stressed. There were some horrifying and anxiety spiking moments.
I also like that it did not feel rushed. At 400+ pages, everything was given enough time to tell the whole story. Looking forward to volume 2!
I also like that it did not feel rushed. At 400+ pages, everything was given enough time to tell the whole story. Looking forward to volume 2!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This graphic novel was very interesting. Was a different style then what I'm used to! It was a horror novel about the town changing into something different then what it was to start with. By the end of it, the town isn't letting anyone leave. Will they make it out alive or be trapped like everyone else?
July 10, 2026
LOVED IT!
I haven’t read a graphic novel this good in so long!
If you are a fan of horror, please check this one out. I couldn’t put this down, I was hooked and terrified at the same time.
Also, the cat’s POV? everything!
I need the next volume for yesterday, please.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this horror graphic novel in return for a honest review.
I haven’t read a graphic novel this good in so long!
If you are a fan of horror, please check this one out. I couldn’t put this down, I was hooked and terrified at the same time.
Also, the cat’s POV? everything!
I need the next volume for yesterday, please.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this horror graphic novel in return for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Id like to thank Netgalley for the ebook, it was pretty good. It was a mystery and adventure. The 2 main characters are trying to figure out why these weird robot camera things are all over town. I do wish there was more color in the illustrations. I really hope to read the next one. There has to be another book, because there were so many unanswered questions in this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a really interesting read. I feel like every time I thought I was getting close to figuring out what was happening in stagtown something unexpected would happen and would completely catch me off guard. My mind was constantly trying to figure out what was happening next and I loved that about this story.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a cool, well thought out story! I genuinely had not heard of this Webtoon, but I am now a fan. I really like the art and the atmosphere achieved through the formatting. The mystery of the town is very well thought out, and I can't wait to read more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Exceptionally dark and creepy. With dark and twisty art to match. If you like the weird and deeply twisted, this is for you.
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