Dead Teenagers Review

by Catalina Bonati

3.25/5 stars ★★★☆☆

Dead Teenagers by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Caitlyn Yarsky (published March 2026) is the first comic in a five-comic installment. It centers on a group of four friends who go to prom in 1997, and are horrifically killed that night. This night resets at its end into a continuous loop of horrors in which the killings change every night and become increasingly gory. The friend group tries to figure out what is keeping them caged in this time warp and how to continue their lives.

The art style is very colorful and nostalgic, although it seems a bit more Y2K nostalgia than actual 90s style. Although the subject matter is gory, things are treated lightly (mostly), making the comic joyful to look at. Each scenario with different deaths is quite fun and interesting. However, scenarios are labelled with a number and they are non-linear and presented in the middle of other scenes, so they can become confusing.

The characters are intriguing and despite being stuck in a time loop, they grow over time. When they manage to change part of their situation, they begin to wonder what to do with their newfound time and how to make the best of it. They reflect on the meaning of ageing and how life can be disappointing despite childhood dreams. Claire Morgan, a trans character, surmises on how she became who she wanted to be, despite there being no exploration of her trans journey. There are LGBTQIA+ themes that are examined but to no great depth.

Overall, this comic is a fun, fast-read with cheery, nostalgic artwork reminiscent of 90s comics. The characters are fun to read about and there are a few plot twists. This is recommended for readers of slashers and digital horror. There is some reference to queerness and transition (as can be expected of a GLAAD Award-nominated author) but it is not the main focus.