Book Review: Queens of the Crypt by Dom&Ink

Queens of the Crypt: Volume One is the début graphic novel from illustrator Dom&Ink. Dom, who is well known for their pop culture and Drag Race illustrations, has previously published Queer Power: Icons, Activists and Game Changers from Across the Rainbow, and Free To Be Me, both of which feature their iconic art style. Now, Dom brings their illustrating and writing skills to a new queer horror/mystery graphic novel, Queens of the Crypt.

Queens of the Crypt publishes 25th August 2026. Pre-order now from BookKind / Hive Books!

When seventeen-year-old Barnaby’s best friend Fi is kidnapped by the Faceless Frightener, who has been abducing teens from across the small town of Widow’s Creek, Barnaby is determined to rescue her. Unwittingly, Barnaby summons the Queens of Crypt through a portal in their closet but it might just be these queens who can help save the town and unmask the Faceless Frightener once and for all.

The illustrations, as expected from Dom&Ink, are fabulous, bringing some glamour and campness into the drawings alongside the dark and shadowy elements. Dom is also successful in their world and character building in such a short space of time. Readers are introduced to the sweet but struggling Barnaby as they navigate coming out to their parents (again). We also meet the Queens of Crypt themselves – the Phantom, the Countess, Lady Invisible, the Creature, and the Bogeywoman – each of whom we learn more about as the novel progresses, including the beginnings of their backstories in this first volume.

Dom is a self-professed lover of all things high-camp horror and that is very clear in this graphic novel that weaves camp pop culture references with their own spooky twists around a tale of coming out, chosen family, and defeating a creature of the dark. Centring a non-binary character, Barnaby, the novel combines elements of horror and mystery while also exploring themes of the queer experience. What’s more, Dom also touches on issues that are universal to growing up such as: feelings of not fitting in, and body image struggles.

Full of clever twists, horror tropes, camp references, and fun characters, Queens of the Crypt: Volume One is a graphic novel that will leave you wanting more from the world of Widow’s Creek. Dom leaves the story on a cliffhanger, with a new revelation following the story’s climax and satisfying conclusions, so it seems the Queens of Crypt might just be returning in the future for another volume.

With thanks to the publisher for the review copy of this book.

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