I was looking at my online readers and found one for Nightmare Hunter #1: A Graphic Novel written and illustrated by Brady Smith. Due early April 2025, I almost waited to read it as the cover was not completely “grabbing me” and I was not sure it would be something I liked. It felt as if it would be too “out there,” trying too hard to be funny, going with the “gross out” and frankly, somewhat dumb and not funny, so-called humor. 
Instead we get some of that as well as Maxwell Dark (don’t call him Max), who takes his talent of seeing what “haunts” you (a girl worried about a school election, a boy who really really needs a bathroom, Sid’s nightmare hanging onto her like an ugly backpack) and well, helps. And we learn, he can also enter your nightmare(s) to help you face your fears. And then there is Sid (Sidney), who really needs his help, but blows him off as she thinks him an emo creepazoid. Not to mention, her friends really are not nice to him/don’t like him and she does not want to seem uncool in front of those cool girls. Of course, a few days go by and Maxwell finally convinces her to let him help and we enter the Danger Zone. Or Sid’s Nightmares.
We have a story about friendship and learning about yourself that has really freaky and whacked out monsters in it. We learn about Maxwell’s past, what the Nightmares are really up to, and how an orphan and his sister’s story is not black and white. And also what is not black and white are the illustrations. The reader copy was B&W, but the full color finished project will probably make it not for all readers. So far it is for a strong 8-9 to 10-14 as the best audience. There is fantasy mystery, adventures and action. The colors that were shown in samples make things look really whacked out and funky, so know thy reader.