Member Reviews

I really loved the art style of this book. The art is what drew me in to begin with, but the story did not disappoint. I enjoyed the story from the very first page.

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*Bad Dreams in the Night* is a haunting and captivating collection of original horror tales by Adam Ellis, offering a fresh, illustrated take on the classic horror anthologies that shaped his childhood. The book is filled with 11 short stories that will send shivers down your spine, from an eerie movie that may—or may not—exist to a chilling exploration of what happens when you get a hangnail. Ellis’s ability to take everyday moments and turn them into something truly unsettling is a testament to his creativity, making even the simplest scenarios feel disturbingly real.

What sets this book apart are the personal insights Ellis provides alongside each story. He shares how he came up with the ideas, what inspired him, and even where some of the stories originated. These behind-the-scenes details add an extra layer to the reading experience, giving fans a glimpse into his creative process. It’s clear that Ellis has a unique gift—not just with words, but with pictures as well. His art is rich in detail, and every panel feels purposeful, perfectly complementing the eerie atmosphere of the stories.

His distinctive art style, paired with a strong narrative voice, makes *Bad Dreams in the Night* a compelling read from start to finish. The mix of classic horror with just the right touch of humor creates a fun, engaging atmosphere that doesn’t sacrifice the tension or unease that makes horror so captivating. Whether you’re a fan of spooky urban legends, disturbing tales, or beautifully crafted artwork, this book delivers. It’s the perfect blend of YA and adult horror and will leave readers craving longer after the final page is turned.

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an easily accessible horror for young fans! I'm so happy to have an age appropriate recommendation for graphic novel readers young and old.

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Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis is a masterful blend of horror and artistry that will leave readers both creeped out and captivated. As a fan of Ellis’s work, I was thrilled to see his signature style shine in this anthology. Each story is self-contained yet equally haunting, showcasing his talent for crafting eerie narratives that linger long after reading.
What makes this collection stand out is its ability to balance unsettling chills with moments of dark humor, creating a uniquely engaging experience. The illustrations, as always, are stunning and perfectly complement the tone of each tale, amplifying the creepy atmosphere.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves inventive horror and beautifully crafted storytelling. Ellis has once again proven himself to be a master of the genre, and I can’t wait to see what he creates next.

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I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

I think the art and ideas behind this one were more fun than the execution. Honestly, the collection feels okay. I wish more was done in terms of storytelling.

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I love Adam Ellis' comics and these ones were no exception. I'm not normally that into horror, but I loved this book. The art style and storytelling were both excellent.

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Thank you netgalley for letting me review this book.

This was an interesting book. I did not realize it was a collection of short stories based on the real life of the author.

Some of the stories were very creepy and scared me a little bit, but I still enjoyed them.

I really enjoyed reading about the reason he wrote the story.

I did not want to put this book down.
#netgalley #baddreamsinthenight

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Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis is a captivating collection of haunting and creepy stories that stands out with its vibrant and colorful graphics. Each story immerses you in a world of eerie thrills, but the first story, which revolves around an intriguing alien love, is my personal favorite.
This was my first time reading Adam Ellis, and I was thoroughly impressed by his storytelling and unique narrative style. The blend of spooky tales with striking visuals keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. If you're a fan of horror graphic novels, Bad Dreams at Night definitely deserves a spot on your reading list. Without a doubt, I give this book 5 stars for its creativity, visuals, and hauntingly good stories.

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I generally enjoy Adam Ellis's work online and I find the horror comic shorts he posts to be super fun (many of the ones he posts online are adaptations of stories from online, but this collection is mostly original creations), so I figured this would be one I'd have fun with. And I did!

Bad Dreams in the Night tells eleven different stories. Not every story is a masterpiece by any stretch (I'm personally too grossed out by "Butter Corn Ramen" or "Hangnail" to really enjoy them), but there's lots of fun stuff to work with here anyway. He offers up a fresh retelling of The Green Ribbon that is fun and faithful to the story we all grew up haunted by while also offering a new take on the ending (which properly vilifies the husband, like all good adaptations of this story should). I personally think it opens and closes with a handful of really strong stories ("Me and Evangeline at the Farm" and "Milk Door" at the beginning, "Murder Party" and "Viola Bloom" at the end), but there are still a couple of highlights throughout. "Better Kate Than Never" has a great surreal vibe to it, and "Forest Fruit," "Bus Stop," and "Little House in the Sea" are the exact kinds of stories I was hoping to read when I picked up this collection.

I think one of the highlights of this collection is that it isn't trying to be some sort of fresh new face of horror, rather it emulates collections like In a Dark, Dark Room and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, while also being influenced by urban legend and creepypasta. Anyone who enjoys those collections, urban legends, creepypasta, or Adam Ellis's online stuff should definitely check this one out!

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My students love scary stories to tell in the dark and this was a great option for those students with a new spin.

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An enjoyable feast for the eyes. The contrast of the bright colourful art with the dark stories was brilliant.

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I absolutely loved this! The colorful, vibrant illustrations in contrast with the disturbing, spooky stories is so much fun!!

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Some of these stories were deliciously weird, just as I've come to associate anything that Ellis' name is attached to. Usually, the comps of a book somehow fall short of its promise, but in this case, the taglines were spot on. Fans of Stranger Things and Black Mirror will enjoy the dark, alternate universe feeling that is interwoven throughout.

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What a compelling and creative horror collection! It's rare that an anthology has all hits for me but this was an exception.

I enjoyed all 11 tales except maybe for Little House In The Sea, which felt underwhelming against its counterparts. The varying art styles were a visual feast and really enhanced the reading experience. I particularly loved the retelling of The Green Ribbon and found it to be the most beautifully illustrated. Some stories also had subtle social commentary masterfully weaved in.

Such a clever way to end the book too 👀 Let's just say I'm glad I got to read a gorgeous hardcover in the bookstore instead of buying and taking it home...?!

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This was a great read with good illustrations. Perfect for R. l. Stine fans. These are fun, spooky stories. I enjoy this collection.

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Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis was an awesome little read. It was interesting and unique and kept my interest. I only planned to read a few pages and ended up enjoying this whole graphic novel in one sitting. I will be looking to read his other works!

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Adam Ellis is one of my favorite creators. This is different from his other works since it is him entering the horror genre. I think he has a great grasp on psychological thriller and how to entice the reader with each story. If you follow his Patreon, you will recognize these stories, but its nice to have them altogether in one book.

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I’ve been supporting Adam Ellis on Patreon for about a year, so I knew, when I saw that he was releasing a collected version of his horror comics, that’s I’d be ALL OVER THAT.

Adam’s art has matured and gained fantastic detail since his early days on Buzzfeed. Now, there’s full backgrounds everywhere, dynamic poses from the humans, and storylines that most online magazines wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. Which isn’t to say that Ellis is overly gorey or does things just for shock value. His reveals are built up with craftsmanship, and even the stories which echo more well-known urban legends are given his full attention.

There’s a few “autobiographical” stories in here, so you get to see how Adam depicts himself. It took me a moment to realize he only does this for these supposedly true stories, and doesn’t do it to reuse a character design. Because he does some pretty good character design! As his work goes on, from his Patreon posts, he depicts people from more ethnic backgrounds and body shapes. This volume, being early horror, isn’t as diverse as his newer stuff, but there are some non-white characters around.

I think the story that will most stick with even well-read horror fans is going to be “Buttered Corn Ramen.” Just…what the fuck. Unique damn story, a good punch of horror, but what the fuck?

And if not that one, “Hangnail.” Brrr, “Hangnail.”

Now, Adam…when will you be releasing a collection of your…Patreon-only posts? ;P

Advanced reader copy provided by publisher.

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Bad Dreams in the Night is a collection of horror comics by Adam Ellis. There are eleven tales in total. These vary from the supernatural to the extraterrestrial to body horror and so on.

This was an okay read for me. I was easy to read in one sitting. Ellis's art style is fairly clean and cartoon-ish, which isn't naturally creepy, but he does his best to make it work. The main thing was that it didn't feel super unique. Many of the stories felt familiar; like being told the same urban legend or shared internet post again. It made this collection a good cozy day read and perhaps a good recommendation for someone who is younger and/or new to the genre.

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This was a fantastic collection that I’m excited to share with my horror readers. I can’t wait to hear their thoughts.

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