Thank you to NetGalley and IDW publishing for providing an ARC copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I'm not sure I can put into words just how much I loved this graphic novel, but I'll certainly try.

Shadowplay: midnight school follows the story of 3 students seemingly trapped in an endless cycle of school. Our lead, a wannabee composer who loves a children's cartoon, an inspiring author with a secret to hide, and a student striving for a scholarship for the best university. The bell rings to signal the end of the day and the students turn back around and go back to classes never leaving the premises. To make things worse this school has violent teachers, barbed wire fences, torture devices and gruesome suspensions, reminiscent of crucifixions. Can the trio escape?

It is difficult to talk much about the plot without spoiling it too much. The story and the artwork are masterfully blended together to create such an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. I read this in pitch black darkness and found myself genuinely creeped out and disturbed. Whilst nothing overtly gory is depicted on page the true horror is psychological.

"How can someone be so sure of the 'sunny days that will come again' when shadows endure?"

The main themes of the story are depression, anxiety, oppression, bullying, self doubt and endurance. All three of our main characters as well as a myriad of other faces in this graphic novel face these issues. The lead in particular constantly believing they are not good enough and seemingly having that confirmed by the 'school'.The book challenges the train of thought that academic intelligence and achievements are superior to creative pursuits. Why can't our lead be a good composer just because they're dyslexic?

"If I still believe in love it's 'cause I've got friends that pull me from the dark and together we stand"

Our 3 main characters friendship develops nicely during this book. Including flashbacks with previous interactions that really add to the characters and makes their relationships believable. Life truly is better with friends.

This book starts like a bit a fever dream, it takes a bit to really understand what is going on... But I would highly recommend to any lovers of horror and graphic novels.

"Stop being conducted and become a conductor"