The documentary, Horror Noire, is in part based on a book by Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman. I've planned to read the book for too long, and when The Black Guy Dies First popped up on NetGalley, I couldn't click "request" fast enough. This non-fiction book is a fast read, so if part of the reason someone might not pick this up is because of pre-conceived notions about the pace of non-fic, those fears should be put at ease.

From the comprehensive coverage that starts with Spider Baby and The Night of the Living Dead to the last section on Representation Matters, Coleman and Harris leave no stone unturned as they dissect and inspect a multitude of subjects on and about Black horror stereotypes, tropes, characters, and movies. Interspersed throughout, readers will find additional information outside of the regular chapter content with informative and engaging lists such as "Types of Black Horror Movie Deaths", "The Black Character Horror Movie Survival Guide", and the personal top ten movie lists for each author.

There is so much more to be said about this book and the topics it covers. I encourage everyone to pick this up, not only for the education, but for the delight in reading a book so clearly written by two people who truly love the genre.

A fantastic look into one of horror's most common clichés: the black guy dies first. As a horror fan, I am always looking into ways to analyze every plot point, and the information in this book is the foundation on how to do so. I'm also really happy that this book focused on films that were unfairly ignored from the mainstream for obvious reasons. With amusing commentary and well-explained analysis, I recommend this book to anyone who has a Shudder account. I have so many movies to watch now.

(The version I read was an ARC. Thank you, Netgalley.)

This is a Buzzfeed article and listsicles in book form, and alas, it is pretty terrible. The stream-of-consciousness style, lists, trivia, and name-drops (without context) left me really disappointed in this book, whose topic is important and deserves better treatment.

5/5 stars! This book was insightful, humorous, and eye-opening in equal measure. Any cinephile will love this commentary on the social divides and stigmatization in the history of cinema. I learned so many movie facts as well, but I was hooked most on the unfairness that has brewed under the surface in movies for years being brought to the surface. Such an engrossing and enjoyable read.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Thank you @simonandschuster and @netgalley for sending me the ARC of The Black Guy Dies First. As a horror lover, I was excited to see this in my inbox. This is a book everyone should read whether you like horror or not. It calls attention to the lack of representation and the tropes in the horror and film industry. I appreciate the detail that the author went to in this book. I learned a lot and it gave me more awareness when watching and reading horror. I also have a list of films that the author recommended that I can't wait to check out.

The Black Guy Dies First by Robin R. Means Coleman & Mark H. Harris is a very interesting read.

If you love cinema and horror this is for you.
This was a very interesting and well written book.
This book dives into the Black journey in modern horror cinema such as directors, black actors, and many films in the horror genre.
I was honestly fascinated with this. The writing was compelling and I wanted more.
I believe most will truly enjoy what's inside here. I know I did.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Saga Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to gallery and netgalley for the arc. Fun and informative read about black actors portrayals throughout cinema. Very well written and informative. Funny at times and engaging I really enjoyed this 5⭐️

This was a good anthology of movies involving black characters. I did not learn anything new by it. Most of what it talked about was common knowlegde i felt but it still had so much info on themes used and movie knowledge that it makes for a good reference book.

The Black Guy Dies First was so different than I thought it would be. In a good way! I have nothing against textbooks, but that's what I thought this would be. If all textbooks could be this funny, no professor would ever have a hard time getting his/her students to read assignments. You see, The Black Guy Dies First could be used in a Film Studies class, or in a Black Studies class, but it's so humorous that it's a hoot to read for pleasure. I snort-laughed three or four times per page.

Funny as it is, it also covers a lot of ground in the history of Black actors, directors, and films in the horror genre. The authors put in enough detail that it's okay to not have seen all of the films. I hadn't seen most of the films and I still got a lot out of it.

If you like history with a whole lot of humor, this is a snort-laugh + thought provoking book. Thanks to Netgalley and Saga Press for allowing me to read, review, and get a few laughs out of The Black Guy Die First.

From the title alone, you know this is a special book. Authors Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris do not pull any punches when talking about race in horror movies. This is not a typical academic book however, it's easy to read, funny as heck and filled with lots of lists that will bring you back to your very first horror movie (For Example the highest grossing movie with Black Talent is I am Legend!). The table of contents sets your expectations : The "Other " through the eyes of others (stereotypes) and "woke " horror (Social consciousness) followed by Religion in horror and Black Comedy in horror and concluded with a representation matters chapter. Dr. Robin R. Means Colemanis is a well known writer of African Americans in Horror - teaming up with Vox writer Mark H.Harris brought some tongue and cheek and biting comments to a well written treastis the any horror lover would enjoy!
#GalleryBooks #TheBlackGuyDiesFirst

Wow! This was everything I wanted and more. It is insightful, yet freakin’ hilariously written. I love the little inserts throughout the book. For example, the authors write every type of Black Death and the kind of funeral it would warrant. Another one was tips to survive a horror flick if you’re Black. Truly great stuff. The authors are clearly passionate about horror flicks, Blackness in film, and representation— and it shows! Some parts were far too detailed for me, but that goes with le pasión!!! Still a hauntingly great read!

A very interesting and well curated collection of facts on the black horror film industry. This will be a great paperback to own for students or any person with an interest in this area. There are pictures and fun trivia that the reader will find engrossing. It is packaged in a way that is easy to read and follow along.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

An exploration of blackness in horror films, the authors dive into various tropes, topics, directors, and more! There are side bars in every chapter with top lists, fun facts and more. I’m not as well versed with horror movies (I recognized some, but there are so many I’d never heard of!), but I still enjoyed the analysis and the whole layout of the book. I’m sure someone who loves horror movies would enjoy this even more!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.