My nine-year-old read this to me. We found Ham to be delightful. This was a kid friendly, fast, and funny read. Some said it was predictable, but it's a kids book. It's supposed to be easy to read. We cannot wait for the second book.

This is a very creative and unique take on vampires and werewolves and other things that go bump in the night. It’s also hilarious! It’s a good choice for reluctant readers.

First off, I absolutely love the title. It makes me giggle every time I see it! The artwork is bold and colorful and very eye-catching. However, I had a difficult time with the actual story. For some reason, it just didn't quite work for me. That being said, I think there are some readers that would enjoy this one.

Most people have some type of family legacy, even if it is just everyone’s an accountant. For Ham, his family legacy is being vampire hunters, who die prematurely. Before you double check if this is a kid’s book, yes it is. Think of the deaths like Gen X roadrunner and Coyote hijinks. Ham’s older brother Chad when off on his adventure and never returned. Ham has no desire to follow in the family footsteps, but he must and throughout his adventure he makes readers laugh, look at classic stories in a new and crazy ways, as well learning that people are not always what they seem. This book was really funny. It could be read at any time of the year, and the graphics match the tone and tell a great story.

'Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter' with story and art by Rich Moyer is a hilarious graphic novel about a likeable pig on a seemingly impossible mission.

Ham Helsing comes from a long line of very accident prone pigs. When he is the last in the family line, he reluctantly takes on the family mantle and goes to the aid of a town. Along the way, he picks up a team of unlikely heroes, like greedy rats, a werewolf who is really a small boy and a tree pig who is a ninja.

I laughed a lot at this humorous story of being afraid and doing it anyway. The setups and humor are great and I liked the wacky characters. I really liked the art too!

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Random House Children's and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

This is a really fun new twist on the ever popular vampire genre. It's sometimes a little bit scary, but the kid friendly gross out humor evens this out.

I wanted so badly to love this graphic novel, but it just didn't do it for me. The female tree pig was weirdly sexualized (though seeing previews of the completed full-color graphic novel help her outfit to look less sexual) and the poor little werewolf boy who was there for "summer camp"? What even? If the series had just been about the bored warthog-esque vampire, I think I would have been all in. Ham's brother and Ronin were just too much for me. I don't think that the intended middle grade audience would enjoy it either (though I've certainly been wrong before about what they like).

I had a great time reading this graphic novel. The story begins by showing the fate of descendants of the main character. We see how bad decisions lead them to a quick death. After the same thing happens to Chad Helsing, it is up to his brother Ham to take on the legacy. Ham is reluctant to do so, but agrees to take down a deadly monster. Yet on this adventure Ham learns people aren’t always what they appear to be. As this story comes to a close this adventure seems to have only just begun.

With a last name that is pronounced like “boar” and a love for vampires, I absolutely knew I needed this book!

This graphic novel was quirky as it was delightful. The characters are creatures/animals (pigs, chickens, a werewolf, and more). The story starts off with a history lesson into the famous Helsing family traffic deaths. Then in modern time, Ham visits a town to respond to an ad looking for assistance to help deal with the vampire problem. Along with two blind rats, Ham ventures off in search of the vampire. However, after a few hiccups along the way, Ham realizes the vampire isn’t what the townsfolk believe it to be and there’s actually another villain (or two).

I am actually really happy to learn that this was turned into a series and cannot wait to read another epic adventure.

The plot of this book is fairly predictable, but that's honestly not much of a problem. Even if we know where the book is headed the journey is pretty fun. The jokes are usually based on the lowest common denominator, but that makes it pretty accessible for a middle grade audience. And you don't need much beyond a basic understanding of vampire lore to understand the ideas on which the book is based. A quick glance at the illustrations will make it clear that this is not intended to be taken seriously. The large heads and small limbs of the characters are indicative of the humorous nature of the plot. And it is pretty silly. There is some simple messaging about the assumptions we make about others based on stories we hear growing up and the destructive nature of pride. Mostly just a lot of fun with an entertaining cast of characters.

Poor Ham Helsing. Last of a long line of brave but reckless pigs who have battled evil for centuries.

A town needs help - Something creepy is terorrizing the village and it's probably the vampire in the castle on the hill. Enter Ham, trembling with fear but full of determination.

On his journey to defeat evil, Ham will learn the importance of friendship, not to judge a book by its cover, and the true meaning of bravery.

Middle grade kids will love this funny adventure. The illuatrations are charmingly without being cutesy, the humor is abundant (in a world where vampires are pigs, their undead minions are....bacon), and the story trots along quickly.

A punchy art-style and fun story sure to please kids! A pig from a long line of vampire hunters inherits the mantle after his brother's death. This might ruffle a few parents' taste with words like 'idiot' but any kid will snap this up. Recommended for all collections serving kids.

Ham Helsing is the last in his line of vampire hunters, determined to not meet the same abrupt ends as his predecessors. Not one to look danger in the face, will Ham be able carry on the family legacy?

This graphic novel is cute, with drawings reminiscent of comic strips and a good story. I am not a fan of the genre, but this type of book is one that draws the reader in, no matter how old. Ham is mixed up in a world for which he is barely capable, but he finds some friends to help him through. This is a great message for kids, giving them lessons in perserverance and determination, but through text and drawings that they will understand. For these reasons, I would recommend Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter to both children who are in the target audience and the adults that may follow along for the wild ride.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Ham Helsing by NetGalley and the publisher, Crown Books for Young Readers. The decision to review this book was entirely my own.

Kids will love this book. It is funny, adventureous. As an adult I enjoyed this book and the positive messages in it. For being a graphic novel, it was engaging.

Fast-paced story filled with quirky characters and witty banter. Kids will laugh at the illustrations as much as the dialogue. A definite first purchase for every elementary library (purchase mulitple copies as it will fly off the shelves).

Ham Helsing is a young descendant of a long line of vampire hunters who never seem to live quite long, usually because they make rather silly decisions. Ham was always content to let his older brother, Chad, wear the monster hunting mantle; he preferred more creative pursuits, like painting and poetry, but Chad's daredevil acts led to... well, Ham is the new monster hunter in the family, so he's off to hunt a vampire. The only problem is, the vampire he's out to get isn't what you'd expect. Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter is the first in a planned trilogy and is a fun, not-at-all scary story about learning that people aren't always what they seem, and that it's always good to have friends to back you up. The action is animated, the dialogue is fun and witty, and there are robotic knights, sight gags, a toddler werewolf, and animated bacon. What more can you ask from a graphic novel?


Author Rich Moyer's website has links to more of his illustration work, social media, and school visit information. Get a look at some more of Ham Helsing at Random House's website.

1st Line: "Even a long, long time ago, vampire hunting was a Helsing family obsession ... "

Prose (Story): Ham Helsing, a painter and writer of poetry whose refined ways belie the centuries of vampire and monster hunting heritage behind him, is forced to take over the family business when his roguish hunter brother Chad is killed, leaving him the last of his line. Determined to do his family proud, Ham sets off to a small village on his first mission, little realizing both the dangers and dorks awaiting him.

Don's (Review): After a brief introduction, in which we are introduced to the short and happy lives of some of Ham and Chad's monster-hunting ancestors, it becomes clear right away that the Helsings mean well, but that these pigs are not exactly the brightest crayons in the box. Ham, soft-spoken and kind (though he steps up to any challenge when riled), arrives for his first kill seeking the castle of the vampire on the hill, and right away builds hiimself a team via a female ninja tree-pig, a pair of greedy (and snarky) rats, and a small boy who happens to turn into a big snarling ... well, wolf technically, but he's more like a big, sloppy, doofy dog, whenever the moon comes out. But with a diabolical hench-hen, an army of spiderlings, and townspeople who don't believe Ham could fight his way out of an argument going against him, it will take all this courageous pig's will to complete his mission - and the laughs along the way make this book a joy. Author Moyer sets up a Looney Tunes-style premise and look to this brilliant graphic novel from the start, but then tempers that humor to a more sarcastic, mature (and funnier) feel, in between the physical comedy, that really makes you care about Ham, Ronin (the aforementioned piglet ninja), Lobos (the wolf-dog); all the characters really. Better still, amidst a book that's funny to read and an animated series on paper to look at (seriously love the art), Ham Helsing also has some nice messages about how both life and people can fool you - in the best way - and that when you have friends you have it all (none of it ever coming across on the page as obvious or preachy). If you hate spiders, a couple scenes toward the end in particular may cause some glee, but this reader devoured Ham Helsing wearing a huge grin throughout - even more so thanks to a surprise twist, in the end, that leads to setting up what appears will be an even larger-scale sequel. Absolutely loved this one, which can be enjoyed by kids of any age - even mine! 4.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Our hero, Ham Helsing, is the last in a long line of (not very good) vampire hunters. Of course Ham feels duty bound to rid the village of the vampire, the one who killed Laurence the hedge fund guy. Along the way, he gets mixed up with a pair of rats, a ninja and a small werewolf. Will this band of vampire slayers have what it takes to save the village?

This book is a wild ride. Hilarious, with lots of action and humor that will make my students want to read on. I can't wait to get a copy into my classroom library and into the hands of my students. Such fun.

What a delightful book! Ham Helsing comes from a long line of hapless vampire hunters and now he's the last one left. Hired to hunt a vampire that's been terrorizing a village, Ham is joined by two rats (who are just in it for the bounty), a werewolf, and a tree pig to complete the mission. With jokes, sight gags, and an evil chicken this book is utterly hilarious! I'm definitely looking forward to more stories from Ham and friends!

Ham Helsing: Vampire Hunter is the first volume of a new graphic novel series by Rich Moyer. It is currently scheduled for release on June 1 2021. Ham Helsing is the descendant of a long line of adventurers and monster hunters--who don't often live to rest on their laurels. Ham has always been the odd pig out, preferring to paint or write poetry instead of inventing dangerous (dumb) new ways to catch dangerous creatures. His brother Chad was the daredevil carrying on the family legacy of leaping before looking, but after his death, it's down to Ham. Reluctantly, he sets out on his first assignment, to hunt a vampire. But Ham soon learns that people aren't always what they seem and that you need a good team around you to help save your bacon!

Ham Helsing is a well drawn and written graphic novel for young readers. I loved the humor and fun in the story,as well as the lessons woven in about being different and judging by appearance. At first I was not sure I was going to like where the story was going- but once I was introduced to Ham Helsing, the vampire, the chicken, and especially the tree pig I was eager for more. I really enjoy the twists of the story and thought it was well paced. I can think of many readers that will greatly enjoy this book and will be looking for more, myself included.