This is a solid thriller graphic novel. I think it accomplished what it wanted to do, but it was a bit predictable and didn't do anything special to wow me. I did like the sort of mixed-media elements that this story had though.

Thanks so much to Image Comics and Netgalley for the ARC of this title to read and review!

I really loved this story! The concept of unwanted fan interaction(s), kidnapping, and a life spiraling out of control was very well executed in this graphic novel. It left me wanting more of the story after the slight cliffhanger of an ending. The art style was fun and I really liked the use of color and differing styles to portray different languages and drug side effects.

This was a quick, interesting read - I was really intrigued by the title and premise. The artwork is great, and I enjoyed the convention setting (particularly with the acknowledgement of cons during the pandemic) but this story was over so fast I barely had time to settle into the characters. This could have gone so much deeper into the background of the characters, greater commentary on parasocial relationships, social media and obsession with pop culture idols. This felt like an introduction, with a few creepy or profound statements that didn't go beyond the initial 'oh, this is like Misery'. However, it was enjoyable enough and I'm glad to have given it a try! I will look out for more from this author and artist in future.

Read this if your favourite:
- Stephen King book is Misery
- iCarly episode is iPsycho
- Social media is Tumblr

I love that this was transparently about those awful marvel shows, and plays with those “stalker fan” tropes so well. If you’ve ever read a written person fanfic, read a Y/N celebrity fanfic, or wish your parents sold you to a band, this is for you. Besides, isn’t being called out for your fanfic habits a horror in itself?

This one was a bit meh, I was a bit bored and nothing really happened - it could’ve done with being a bit longer. Also for me the artwork was extremely blurry? I originally thought it was my download but the writing / text was crystal clear and the artwork was illegible which ruined the experience for me a bit.

This was a really interesting and crazy short story! With really beautiful, cool artwork. i love Misery, so this plot always works for me. And the psychology of fandom and when it goes too far, is really interesting and scary And a very sad ending!

I just couldn't get into this. I didn't like how it kept hopping all over the place. I found it confusing and choppy.

"Parasocial" by Alex De Campi is a captivating graphic novel that delves into the complex dynamics of obsession, fandom and media consumption and the blurred lines between reality and fiction.

With stunning artwork that immerses readers in a visually striking world, De Campi's storytelling shines as she explores the consequences of our obsession with digital connections. The characters are richly developed, unlikeable to the point of pity, and there really Is a sense of "holy shit, did that just happen??"

I think the best part about the graphic novel was how easily I could enter the shoes of Lily with regard to my own fandom and how chilling that was. We really all have to examine how we think we know actors and the characters they portray, especially after reading this.

this is exactly what you think it is going to be - an exploration of the dangers of parasocial relationships on all fronts (the artist, the fan, media, etc.) the author even acknowledged in the author's notes that this story trajectory has been done so many times the path is practically a highway. that doesn't mean that this story is boring. it's the same story we know and fear but in a more modern relatable setting - they didn't have conventions during misery! ... i don't think. and the use of color and tone really elevates this story from a "been there, done that" to something fresh and cool

[Review Copy provided by Image Comics and Netgalley]

This was a roller coaster of and adventure that really did well representing the toxic fan culture that is present online and can bleed into the real world. The art style and coloring is amazing as it shifts in style and tone to imbue different emotions really worked for the story that was being told.

I will say it left me wanting more, the ending felt a bit rushed and I wish we had some more time with it to really send the message home.

A well written horror thriller. The art is beautifully done and complements the text masterfully. I would even go so far as to say that this graphic novel could even be this generation's Misery. Definitely worth the read for horror fans and fans of thrillers.

This is basically a similar story to stephen kings "misery". I did not enjoy the story. However I did like the author notes at the end about the art styles and so forth. Found that part much more enjoyable. I am grateful for being given the oppurntunity to read this and I hope others enjoy it as well.

Thank you NetGalley and authors for the e-ARC.

I really enjoyed the artwork and the variations used to show different emotions and emphasis. I did find myself feeling rushed as I read, given this is on the shorter end lengthwise.

This graphic novel fell pretty flat for me. At one point, one of the main characters mentions living in “Stephen King” country, and even apart from this explicit reference, Stephen King is an incredibly obvious influence on the author, as the plot is nearly identical to his “Misery” (1987).

<i>Synopsis</i>: Lily is a huge fan of the TV show, <i>Rogue Nebula</i>, and an even bigger fan of one of its lead actors, Luke Indiana. She attends every convention that she can to see him. After one convention, he gets into a car crash and, as he is stranded along the highway, who should happen to be driving by but his #1 fan? One thing leads to another, and Luke starts to discover the true depths of Lily’s obsession... [*cue the dramatic music*]

If this setup sounds familiar, it’s because it is (down to the very car accident that serendipitously brings the fan and the creator together). <i>Parasocial</i> revamps Stephen King’s classic narrative by rendering it more “millennial”: we get group text conversations from Lily, screenshots of Luke’s Instagram, references to Tumblr, and even a QR-code to a Spotify playlist that accompanies the graphic novel, along with an exhaustive (and exhausting) explanation for every single song on said playlist.

Unfortunately, for a retelling to be successful, it needs to add something new and/or original to the storyline, and <i>Parasocial</i> does neither. The characters feel extremely one-dimensional: for some reason, we learn quite a bit about Luke’s impending divorce, but next to nothing about Lily (her history, her motivations, etc.). The plot is full of holes and inconveniences that are entirely glossed over, and yet we get hundreds of words of explanation of the “artistic choices” at the end by both the artist and author, which ultimately feels like the reader is being talked down to. (For example, the artist carefully explains how she uses red in certain panels to communicate anger. “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.”)

<b>TL;DR</b>: Skip this book and just go read (or watch) Stephen King’s “Misery” instead.

The ARC for this text was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting take on "crazed fan" and the problems with encouraging parasocial relationships with celebrities. They got creative with the artwork, and the usage of music mentioned throughout.

This manga was interesting it’s not really something I usually read and I don’t number for read more of it in the future. It was just kind of confusing and it lacked a plot or character arc and it felt just a little flat.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was an interesting story to read. As someone who has been a long-time quiet observer and consumer of fandom, I have occasionally heard crazy tales of things done by crazy fans. The glass cupcakes and a fan stalking a famous actor across the world to across several countries are the most recent incidents that come to mind. But, this graphic novel makes it seem as if it's trying to imply that every fan is secretly a nutcase, which is extremely untrue. You can, and likely will, have overzealous people in ANY type of community. Fandom is no exception. The story itself is decent, but I won't lie. It felt like I was reading a Criminal Minds episode but from the perspective of the victim. The violence is bloody, and the obsessive fan is truly deluded. The plot line goes by very quickly, and it feels like the majority of the book is just Luke trying to escape the accidental killer. The novel starts somewhat abruptly, and a bit confusingly, and it ends suddenly. Also, not sure how I felt about the main character, Luke. It's implied through the story that he's a bit of a sleaze towards women, especially his female co-stars. It doesn't really enhearten you to the guy that you're supposed to be rooting for. The art style was good, and I liked it more as the novel went on. I did find the blending of text messages, web pages, social media posts, and chat logs within the art to be very interesting. Using the chat logs as a form of exposition was honestly clever. However, with the text messages and chat logs, it was a struggle to understand who was speaking, until I got almost completely through one. Also, this is a minor thing, but why are there song titles at the bottom of certain pages? Was I meant to listen to those while reading those scenes? I know the back of the book has a QR code so you can go listen to a playlist with all of the songs but...I didn't find that out until I was already done reading, because you know, it's in the BACK of the book.

This gritty graphic novel peels the glossy veneer of celebrity life, and exposes the disquieting facets of obsessive fixation that often lurk beneath the devoted world of fandoms.

This book wasn't quite what I wanted, especially based on the description. The art was really good, and the story was alright, but I wanted a lot more, I don't know, depth or mystery or unreliable narratives. I do like that there's enough inconsistencies that you could draw different conclusions as to what actually happened, but it wasn't quite the mind-bending psychosexual thriller I was hoping for.

Language: High
Violence: High
Drugs: Moderate
Sex: Moderate

A really great and intriguing read. I loved the characters and the story. Will look out for more from this author.