3.5 Stars

So cute. So fun.

This is a bright and colorful summer story of hijinks and hormones. We are following a best friend duo hell Bent on having the summer of their lives who find themselves tasked with cleaning up a toxic spill on a beach. Their sexy summer plans start reeking of rotting sea life and possessed towns people. The ending of this was pretty cheesy and this reads like a modern Scooby Doo but I think it was a really silly time.

So this was a bit of fun! Two recent high school graduates get jobs as lifeguards in hope of having a fun summer where they will meet many boys. Instead they find a toxic waste closure and a strange mystery to solve. Oh, and maybe some monsters....

This book was a hoot! It's silly, funny, and fun. It's like a teen beack/monster movie in all of the best ways. The story wraps up a little quickly, and it's not the deepest book ever, but it is a great afternoon read!

"Toxic Summer" is so much fun! It's a nice quick read and really has the vibe of a summer monster movie. This would be a great choice for anyone (but especially teens) who want something bright and a little weird to read, especially once the weather starts warming up.

Ben and Leo can't wait to have the best summer ever as lifeguards at the never-ending beach party. But when they arrive and the beach is full of toxic sludge, they get roped into cleaning it up before any fun can happen. The longer they stay in the town, the more mysterious things occur.

This was a beautifully illustrated graphic novel with a mediocre story. It felt like a YA graphic novel that made references to more college-aged content. Not a great fit for high school, and not a story that many will find engaging.

Derek Charm's art, writing, and colors really make Toxic Summer pop! I loved our two main characters wanting a typical make out kind of summer and getting much more than they bargained for. Toxic waste has taken over the beach and the supernatural elements that come of it are so fun. This reminded me of a fun Scooby Doo romp. I loved it!

This one was a really fun, colorful, quick read! Typical teenage summer story + some weird creatures to up the stakes. The characters served their purpose, the art style was very fitting for the story and there was just the right amount of text to get the story told. I would love to see a slice-of-life kind of story of what the rest of the summer looks like for the main characters.

Every summer, I love picking up a kinda goofy horror comic from my local comic shop. This year's pick was Toxic Summer. I haven't been able to swing by and grab the last issue yet, so it was neat being able to complete it on here.

The artwork is fantastic. The coloring? Some of the best I've seen all year! It was vibrant without feeling like I was looking at a highlighter.

The story is fun, a bit spooky, and I loved seeing the queer representation. It's done casually and didn't feel the need to educate you on something, which I've really enjoyed seeing the past few years!

A neon explosion of gay best friends, summer vacation, mystery, and monsters.

I loved the art style and coloring in this graphic novel. The story was reminiscent of a Scooby Doo adventure mixed with those old creature/monster movies with unique villains and a self contained plot/mystery.

Two gay protagonists is incredible and I love the representation. Bonus points that the characters being gay was not a point of contention within the story and did not require a big resolve or explanation.

I'd love to see this as a series with a new monster/creature/mystery each issue as we learn more about our main characters, their friendship, and their love interests.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Toxic Summer is an absolute triumph! Derek Charm has crafted a captivating story that effortlessly balances hilarious moments with genuine mystery, all while delivering a cast of characters that feel both relatable and unique.

The character dynamics are a true highlight. Each character is so well-defined, and the interactions between them are an absolute joy to read. The lgbtq+ repersentation is also perfectly integrated into the narrative making the story even more sweet.

The storyline itself is a wild ride! It's funny, it's mysterious, and it keeps you guessing until the very end. And let me tell you, the ending is just perfect – a comforting and satisfying conclusion that leaves you with a warm feeling.

Toxic Summer is a must-read for anyone who loves a good balance of humor, mystery, and heart. Derek Charm has created something truly special!

Leo convinces his friend Ben to spend the summer in a beach town where there will be tons of hunks, but when they get there the beach is closed due to toxic spill and there's no one in sight! Definitely not the summer of partying that they were expecting.
This is a fun Archie-style comic with lots of scary monsters and an unexpected twist. I liked the bright colour scheme and funny characters.

I really enjoyed Toxic Summer. Derek Charm has always been a great artist, but he proved that his writing is wonderful as well. The art style was bright and clean, exactly what you want for a beachside monster feature. It was less Riverdale and more classic Archie Comics, and I mean that as a high compliment. It's the kind of all ages read where an older person is going to appreciate jokes but nothing is explicit or over the line. I really hope that the character's live on in some form; Give me one full size graphic novel a year of the cast getting into wacky predicaments with other horror standbys. The extra features were a little light, but I really enjoyed the cover gallery. It's always nice to get turned on to newer artists, and a cover gallery is often a mini portfolio. Highly Recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it would be inappropriate for the high school setting when I saw the opening panel but it is absolutely safe for high school. It is an enjoyable scifi/action summer romp. Great addition to high school and public libraries for folks wanting a funny quick story.

A couple of boys want to go have a sexy summer on the beach, however, when they get there they are in for a slimy surprise. Instead of being lifeguards watching hot people on the beach, they get to clean up the beach that has been closed for the summer. There might even be a slimy mystery to solve.

I love this and I believe youngsters will love this too. It reads like a cult movie. It is totally hilarious and the illustration is great too.

this was a fun and slimy read!

🦇 i really enjoyed the characters and their banters, but my personal favourite was ben. he was so sweet!
🦇 the art in this book was also immaculate and grimy looking, that was one of the best parts of this book!
🦇 i did like the plot, but i wish the book was a tad longer and more suspenseful for it to fully pack a punch for me, the struggles didn't really last for the characters. i wanted it to be more explored before the big reveal happened, so it could actually shock the reader afterwards.
🦇 in any case, if you want a quick and summery read, this one's for you! i do recommend reading this.

I really liked this! Very good, although the pacing was a bit fast towards the end. Loved the art style sm and the story was a fun time too! Will def be recommending to my students. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Toxic Summer by by Dereck charm

4/5 Stars. 🌟

Thanks NetGally and ONI Press for the eARC! instagram post scheduled for 10/12/24

This comic was so fun! It was super interesting and Beautifully illustrated and the store was funny and made me giggle! It was definitely one of those silly friends and gullible friend moment.

I loved the characters and the ending had me laughing between Ben and AJ 😂

Honestly not going to say much as it I don’t want to spoil anything at all, but I really suggest reading this asap as it was a light read and gives you a laugh!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced e-arc! I really enjoyed this. It was giving What's New Scooby Doo coupled with Archie. The mystery with the slight twist was pretty good and I liked the two MCs, especially Ben who was the more sensible and cuter of the two.

Toxic Summer, written and illustrated by Derek Charm (Jughead, PowerPuff Girls, Star Wars), can be seen as a typical summer coming-of-age story but with a toxic twist that gives the series Oni Press a life of its own.

Like most best friends, Ben and Leo had the perfect summer planned after graduation. Head to the idyllic beach town of Port Dorian, where they would act as lifeguards for three months of hot guys, bonfires, and no regrets. This all changed when a toxic spill transforms their dream beach into a waking nightmare. Port Dorian is now flooded with panicked tourists and a horrifying pack of subhuman monstrosities is snatching beachgoers in the night.

Toxic Summer is a fun summer romp with a toxic spin. The comic features fantastic artwork that perfectly complements the storyline, which makes perfect sense when the artist and writer are the same person. The vibrant colors and outstanding character designs add a level of depth to each panel which makes the comic visually engaging. The plot of two teenagers looking for excitement and fun during the summer months on a perfect beach but it all going to hell after the toxic spill is much more up our alley than the original plan.

The dialogue between Ben and Leo feels natural and relatable, capturing a peek into a teenage friendship and relationship. The banter between the two friends adda a level of humor to what is actually a dark and ominous storyline. Charm does a wonderful job at balancing the seriousness of the disaster with moments of levity. A great blend of humor and suspense to keep us turning each page.

Toxic Summer has plenty of twists and turns to keep us guessing, not knowing what will happen next kept me glued to each and every panel from start to finish. The comic stands out at Oni Press more than I thought it would. I was pleasantly surprised. The book delivers on artwork and story with both substance and style. Charm's captivating artwork, relatable characters and toxic storyline is a superb reason to grab the collected edition.

Toxic Summer is a goopy and gooey good time!

Toxic Summer follows friends Ben & Leo attempting to enjoy a delicious beach summer. However, they are instead recruited to assist with the beach cleanup when toxic goop seems to take over the beach. Mysteries abound as well as things keep happening that they can't immediately explain and when creatures from the sea start trying to move inland they have to figure out what to do.

This is perfect for Scooby-Doo fans! It is cute and goofy and it doesn't take itself too seriously. It makes for a quick and easy read. Additionally, the extras in this edition are so much fun. The variant covers at the end are always an added bonus and I loved getting to see those. I know readers are going to relate and enjoy this story and it's a Scooby-Doo Mystery for your 2025!