A hunt for a serial killer is also a brutal exploration of how trauma can never let one truly escape. Prepare to be floored by the twist.

In the latest chilling installment of the Dark Spaces horror anthology by Snyder and Sherman, readers are thrust into a world where the idyllic façade of rural life quickly unravels into a nightmare. This gripping tale begins with a family’s hopeful move from bustling New York City to the serene countryside, only for their dreams to be shattered by the horrifying discovery of a hidden dungeon beneath their new home.

The narrative is expertly crafted, building tension from the moment the father stumbles upon the dungeon, filled with sinister torture devices and a chilling message: “TELL NO ONE.” The atmosphere of paranoia that envelops him is palpable, as he grapples with the realization that his new neighbors might not be what they seem. This pervasive sense of dread keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering who can be trusted and how far the darkness extends.

Snyder and Sherman excel at weaving intricate character dynamics into the horror. The father’s struggle to protect his family while concealing the truth creates a compelling emotional core that resonates throughout the story. As he becomes increasingly isolated by his secret, the narrative explores themes of trust, fear, and the lengths one will go to safeguard loved ones.

The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that heighten the suspense as the father’s paranoia deepens. The setting—a seemingly peaceful rural community—contrasts sharply with the horrors lurking beneath the surface, making the story all the more unsettling. The authors deftly play with the idea of appearances, questioning what lies behind the smiles of neighbors and the tranquility of country life.
This is not just a horror story; it’s a deep dive into the psyche of a man faced with unimaginable threats. It explores the darkness that can exist within communities and the secrets that individuals hide, both from the world and themselves.

In conclusion, this book is a masterful addition to the Dark Spaces anthology, showcasing Snyder and Sherman’s talent for crafting compelling, spine-tingling tales. It will leave readers questioning the very nature of trust and safety in their own lives. Highly recommended for fans of psychological horror and those who appreciate a well-crafted story that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Netgalley Review

Star Rating: ★★★

Worth the read, not my favorite, not my least favorite. Just a solid middle of the road read.

Like always read it and decide for yourself!

A dark thriller/mystery tracking a serial killer who keeps his victims in dungeons. The illustrations really support the atmosphere and desperation to find this killer by a man who was once a victim and now in law enforcement. The characters I thought were well developed and like any good thriller there is a surprise at the end. Some of the dialogue was awkward but overall I was impressed with the pace and complexity of this graphic novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Scott Snyder and Hayden Sherman reunite in this chilling installment of the critically acclaimed Dark Spaces anthology series. A family escapes the chaos of the Big Apple, seeking solace in upstate New York. However, their dreams of rural tranquility are shattered when they discover a hidden dungeon beneath their land - a grim chamber filled with torture devices, weapons, and a cryptic message: “TELL NO ONE.”

Pros:
Atmosphere: Snyder’s writing creates an eerie, palpable tension. The dungeon’s oppressive darkness seeps through the pages.
Character Depth: The father’s determination to protect his family adds emotional weight.
Artwork: Hayden Sherman’s illustrations evoke dread and curiosity simultaneously.

Cons:
Pacing: While the slow burn builds suspense, it occasionally hinders the plot’s momentum.
Unanswered Questions: Some mysteries remain unresolved, leaving readers hungry for more answers.

Beyond the pacing issue, the story’s lingering questions - like shadows in the dungeon - leave room for anticipation. Snyder tantalizes us, promising revelations in future installments. A gripping start to a promising series!

Posted on Goodreads:

4.25/5⭐️
Ok. I’ve been a fan of Snyder’s work since American Vampire followed by Severed and then Wytches. This graphic novel was a yes.

Basically, Bohdi is kidnapped at the age of 7 by a notorious serial killer. For three years he’s tortured until he escapes. The only victim to ever escape. Now, decades later he’s making it his life’s work to capture a still free killer. A dungeon where he holds his victim is found and Bodhi follows the bread crumbs.

I love everything about this premise. However, it was a bit fast paced and semi predictable. The artwork is great and fits the story well.

I know this is kind of like a one shot for the Dark Spaces anthology but dammit I would have loved a more expanded version with better pace.

Thank you netgalley, IDW publishing and Scott Snyder for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.

Dark Spaces: Dungeon is a horror and a serial killer mystery graphic novel that follows a detective who used to be trapped in one of the Dungeons. Now that he knows where he was locked up, he can follow leads and clues to solve who is the Dungeon Keep and where are all the other Dungeons. Unfortunately, the guy who found the "Detective's" Dungeon is fully pulled into this nightmare when his son is kidnapped by the same Dungeon Keep.

The plot kept me on my toes and I was freaked out most of the time. Not only for the plot, but also the style of illustrations. It was all very dark, far too realistic with exaggerated parts to show how insane this all is. And I wish I could rant about the ending!!! It made me go back to the front and start it again.
5/5 for every aspect of this book. I wish it was a part of a series, but I guess I will have to catch up on author's other graphic novels to catch this "high" feeling.

Thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this, great storytelling with perfect illustrations to make it even creepier. I'm definitely going to keep my eyes out for more in this world! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

This was very eerily, edge-of-your-seat horrifying. The thought that there could be someone like this out there... That may haunt my nightmares. I absolutely can't wait to see where this goes!

You can never escape from the dungeon in this amazing new Dark Spaces installment.

I am so lucky that I was able to see Scott Snyder at FanExpo Canada this summer. He talked about the industry of comics, and his passion is contagious. You can tell immediately why his stories are so popular, it's because he has this understanding of legacy-fandoms, and the way culture is evolving. He is able to hold onto these two concepts, and find ways to connect them that stays true to fandoms while simultaneously welcoming new readers.

While Scott is best known for his work with DC comics and Superman, I love his passion projects which include Dark Spaces, Clear and Nocterra.

In these passion projects, Scott is pushing the creative envelope of the graphic novel medium, taking the reader beyond a straightforward story and elevating the art form. Throughout the book I'd often stop and read sections outloud to my family and friends. I was blown away by the clever writing and gorgeous imagery. When I got to the end, I went right back to the beginning and read the whole thing again.

Dungeons is a dark mystery about a man who kidnaps and tortures victims for decades. He keeps them trapped inside a coffin like structure that shifts to cause harm to the person trapped inside. We're following the detective, who himself was kidnapped and escaped, from this villain. As we get closer to figuring out who is behind this, we realize we never understood anything to begin with.

Thank you to NetGalley and IDW for the ARC.

This book is best read while locked in a dark room, you may never want to leave.

I really enjoyed this story the art was very nice and I loved that creepy smile near the end, the story itself i enjoyed the little clues and how they figured things out I also really just like the concept of the dungeons I’d like to see more of the torture chambers themselves.

I love it when Scott Snyder returns to horror. Dungeon features a modern-day serial killer who abducts victims and places them inside a twisted torture chamber. This chilling story explores themes of trauma response, and asks if we can ever really leave our 'Dungeons.'

A special note of appreciation for Hayden Sherman's art in this one. The puzzle box cells were haunting but in addition to the horrifyingly tight spaces, Sherman also showcases sprawling midwest landscapes and limitless skies, juxtaposing and amplifying the claustrophobia at the heart of this story. His ability to also paint everyday people/places with an underlying dread embodies all the chills of a great true crime story.

My only complaint here is that I wanted more time with this story. The twists were expected, but effective all the same. Snyder is digging into some unsettling questions about life after traumatic events, but I would have loved to see him go further with this. All in all, I enjoyed this one, I'd easily recommend it to any horror-loving comic fan.

Thank you NetGalley and IDW for the advance copy!

I loved this! This was my first comic style horror book and I might be hooked on them after Dark Spaces: Dungeon. I would compare this to a really good season of Criminal Minds with a dark season ending. I did NOT see the ending coming!! I had no problem following along with the time-frame and interactions with the different characters thoughtout the book. I do have to mention the art, it was very well done, the artist did a wonderful job showing all the characters emotions and made the book enjoyable to follow along with. I gobbled up every last detail.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this graphic novel

I do enjoy graphic novels like this we a highly engaging storyline and I look forward to hopefully read more because it gave me the feeling on open ending

I made the mistake of judging this graphic novel by the cover and went into it expecting something completely different from what it actually is. That being said I did still really enjoy it, and while it started off slow, it was exciting and tense towards the end.

You follow the POV of two characters, one of whom has stumbled across a strange torture dungeon near his house, and a detective who had been kidnapped and imprisoned in such a dungeon as a child. Certain events unfold that lead them to hunting down this serial torturer together.

I really liked the concept of the story, and I think anyone who was a fan of movies like 'The Cube', will enjoy the similar themes. I did find it to be a little bit obscure and not really believable but it was still fun and I really want to see what happens in the next volume.

The art style was great, and entirely disgusting. Exactly what you'd hope for from a horror graphic novel.

Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

⫘⫘⫘ᴅᴀʀᴋ ꜱᴘᴀᴄᴇꜱ: ᴅᴜɴɢᴇᴏɴ🕳️
From the creative mind of Scott Snyder- this graphic novel was intense and awesome! My only complaint is that I wished it was longer. The story was downright creepy, and the incredible artwork by Hayden Sherman paralleled this thriller perfectly. By the time I got to the end, I was sad there wasn't more; I'd read every one of this series!!

The villain of this story, The Keep, is absolutely bonkers; a sadistic creep who keeps his captives alive as long as he can, torturing them in terrifying and monstorus ways within hidden vaults underground. The only one who ever escaped him, Bodhi, is now a cop, resuming the hunt when another man's young son becomes The Keep's next captive.

Can Bodhi overcome his trauma and inner demons in order to rescue the boy in time? Will he find The Keep and will be able to reveal his true identity?

4.5🌟

Loved, Loved, Loved it. Another one of those reads where I assumed I wasn’t going to enjoy it based on its American Comic book style. There was a little hesitation right at the beginning because I usually don’t read Graphic Novels that follow that strict ‘Floppy Comic’ style. It’s hard not to compare the artstyles when they are so often similar. Hayden did a great job at steering clear of that mold. Lovely, lovely work!

And let's not forget the story of course! The plot line follows this duo as they try to capture a murderer they call by the name of the ‘Keep’. He’s none for stealing people from their lives and torturing them in these chambers known as ‘Dungeons’, hence his name. Tyler gets involved when he stumbles across one of the Keep’s hidden chambers on his property, while Agent Madoc has always been following the Keep’s train since he escaped from the Keep’s clutches as a child all those years ago. The plot line was solid and the characters were easy to relate to. Agent Madoc is my favorite among the two. There were times when I was rooting for them and times when I was scolding them like a troubled mom. lol.

I will say (without any spoilers of course) that the ending was cheesy, but it got a kick out of me regardless and it wasn’t cheesy enough to ruin the story. I actually quite enjoyed how it ended. My rating is a 4/5-star.

My thanks to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for the Digital Advanced Reader’s Copy. This book is expected to be published August 27th, 2024.

This is the second story in a graphic novel anthology, and I liked it even more than the first. What is great is that these are completely stand alone.

Tyler is jogging in the woods when he trips over a cover in the ground. He discovers what is obviously a torture prison, and is fearful that his young family will be in danger because of his discovery.

(SLIGHT SPOILER AHEAD....it is of a fact revealed fairly quickly in the story)
***********

Detective Bohdi Madoc is in charge of the investigation of this particularly sadistic criminal. The "Keep" has kidnapped an unknown number after victims, possibly thousands, keeping each in their own isolated underground prison. Det. Madoc was once one of those victims. The only one known to have escaped.

As Madoc and Tyler work together to keep Tyler's family safe events unfold quickly to an unforseen end.

Thank you to Netgalley and IDW Publishing for the opportunity to enjoy this suspense filled Graphic Novel e-ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Scott Snyder’s latest addition to the Dark Spaces anthology, Dungeon, is a masterful blend of psychological horror and crime thriller that grips you from the first page. This chilling tale, illustrated by Hayden Sherman, delves into the darkest corners of human nature and the secrets that lie beneath the surface.

The story begins with a haunting flashback of a young child emerging from a hidden hatch in the woods, setting the tone for the eerie events to follow. Fast forward 21 years, and we meet Tyler Letts, a family man who stumbles on the same hatch near his home.

Snyder excels in character development, presenting a cast that is both complex and relatable. Tyler Letts is portrayed as a loving father, whose life takes a dark turn upon discovering the dungeon. His character contrasts sharply with the mysterious killer, whose deranged hobbies are depicted with chilling precision. Agent Madoc, driven by his past encounters with the killer, adds another layer of depth to the narrative. 

Hayden Sherman’s artwork is a standout feature of this series. The visuals are both haunting and beautiful, perfectly complementing Snyder’s tight script. The use of moody tones and watercolor textures by colorist Patricio Delpeche enhances the eerie atmosphere, drawing readers into the story’s dark world. 

Dark Spaces: Dungeon explores themes of trauma, secrecy, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones. The story delves into the psychological impact of past horrors and the ways in which they shape the present.

In Dark Spaces: Dungeon, Scott Snyder delivers a gripping and thought-provoking tale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The combination of a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and stunning artwork makes this a must-read for fans of psychological horror and crime thrillers. Whether you’re new to the Dark Spaces anthology or a long-time fan, this installment is sure to captivate and haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Dark Spaces: Dungeons
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Publication: IDW Publishing - August 27, 2024

Recommended for readers of crime thrillers and horror.

Warnings: kidnapping, torture, violence

I loved the previous Dark Spaces series about inmate firefighters, Dark Spaces: Wildfire, so I had high expectations for this one, as I often do for Scott Snyder works.

Thankfully, I was not disappointed. While it is a much different crime focus than Wildfire, Dungeons hooks on every page. Terrifying in so many ways but serves that horror carefully and with impressive focus on character. The use of a sidekick is excellent. Transitions between scenes are impressive (use of narrative connections, design of presentation, the coloring). Little pieces of dialogue are cut off and picked up again in a natural, immersive manner. I count this among my favorite crime horror stories, alongside the movie, Seven.

The artist, Hayden Sherman, does an amazing job on presenting nature as a force of weight that threads in with the desperate emotions of the story, such as when the two main characters meet a dead-end and the entire cafe is bearing down on them, and the characters hands are scrunching up his forehead, and the narrative boxes break up the next page into the photos from the villain pressing on the reader and character then snap, breakthrough, and the next page serves a freeing moment of epiphany. Then the boxes are broken up into slivers for hyper focus when they’re investigating the new lead. Every page adds such immense energy that you’ll be hard pressed to step away from this read.

There’s a scene near the climax with the characters surrounded by nature with stark shadows and lighting that had me cheering at the presentation of the raw tension. Avoiding spoilers but that had me pumped with so much terror and hope, when it hit the end, I found it hard to breathe. That lighting on the woods and the house was a godsend moment of relaxation and brief joy, and the shadow on the house as they chat hint at the haunting left behind by the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to NetGalley and Scott Snyder for allowing me the opportunity to be horrified by Dark Spaces again.