As one of the few people on the internet to have no idea who MrBallen was, I am happy to say I am glad I know who he is now after reading MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark & Mysterious.

John Allen, known popularly as “MrBallen,” reveals the creepy underbelly of the human experience, charting bizarre and downright terrifying instances of the paranormal, the horrors of the natural world, and the danger of our own minds. This is a haunting collection filled with twists and surprises that will leave you thoroughly spooked.

As I stumbled upon MrBallen through this graphic novel, I was initially unfamiliar with the Internet personality, despite his massive YouTube presence. However, it was not his name that drew me into the book but rather the acclaimed artist Andrea Mutti‘s involvement in this project that had my eye. Mutti’s illustrations and art style is so unique and perfect for these types of stories. He truly brings these tales to chilling life on each page.

Strange, Dark & Mysterious takes us on a great journey around the globe through different bizarre and unbelievable stories rooted in true events. Each tale told by MrBallen is unique, not only in the story itself, but the setting and location. This provides a diverse range of creepy narratives that kept me turning each page with gusto.

While some fans of Allen will flock to this book at of pure fandom, Strange, Dark & Mysterious is not just of these die-hard fans; it also caters to those who just simply enjoy all things spooky and mysterious. The use of the graphic novel format to tell these tales allows for an innovative way to share these stories, making them accessible to a wider audience including those who are comic book fans like myself.

MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark & Mysterious is a great collection of stories that blend horror, mystery, and suspense into a visual treat. The collaboration between MrBallen, Robert Venditti, and Andrea Mutti is a match made in heaven giving us spine-chilling tales and outstanding illustrations that left a lasting impression on me long after I turned the final page.

MrBallen Presents: Strange, Dark & Mysterious hits bookstores everywhere on October 1, 2024 from Ten Speed Graphic.