Party Animals: Nightshade Anthology Book 1 - A Comic Review

Summary from the Author

What would you do if rabid teenage werewolves crashed the biggest house party you’ve ever been to? and the only person who can save your life is your worst enemy. did I say worst enemy? I actually meant the secret love of your life. this is only the start to the wildest night of Onyx’s and Reggie’s teenage lives. but how can these tow stop a surprise werewolf attack when they can’t even figure out their feelings for each other.

Party Animals is a ferocious story full of fun and frights, perfect for fans of both heartstoppers and Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

PARTY ANIMALS is a ferocious story full of fun and frights, perfect for fans of both Heartstopper and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: What would you do if rabid teenage werewolves crashed the biggest house party you’ve ever been to? And the only person who can save your life is your worst enemy. Did I say worst enemy? I actually meant the secret love of your life. This is only the start to the wildest night of Onyx’s and Reggie’s teenage lives. But how can these two stop a surprise werewolf attack when they can’t even figure out their feelings for each other?

Introduction

That was a big change for me. But hey, change is kind of the whole theme of this book. More specifically? Transformation. Teenagers turning into werewolves, to be precise. And as a parent of two very active kids, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have two actual werewolves tearing through my house—though honestly, some days it feels pretty close.

We’re used to stories about superheroes and supervillains with clear-cut roles. But sometimes, the lines are blurrier. Sometimes superheroes are just kids trying to stop a sinister plan cooked up in someone’s bedroom while a party rages downstairs. And supervillains? They might just be a group of mostly unwilling classmates roped into a scheme by the school’s head jock.

Story

Alright, I’ll spill the beans.

Aside from its obvious fictional elements, this story will remain entirely fictional for me—for one simple reason: where I grew up, house parties just weren’t a thing. We had small gatherings, sure. But I was raised in a mountain town—a place that would probably be considered a tiny village anywhere outside of Greece.

Still, reading the first few pages of Party Animals felt like watching a movie—and honestly, I loved that.

The story follows Onyx and Reggie’s wild night at a house party, where a group of jocks—under the full moon and in true cliché fashion—decide to become werewolves using a recipe they found online.

Yeah. The internet is a weird place. And let’s be honest—if I searched for a werewolf-turning smoothie recipe, I’m sure I’d find one. (Not that I have. I mean… you’re the one searching. Not me.)

I might’ve given away a bit in the intro, but there’s still so much more to love in this story:

• Onyx’s decision to stand up, take responsibility, and protect everyone—even at the risk of their own life.

• Reggie’s choice to support that mission, even while carrying his own quite real wounds.

• And the moments when certain characters, despite their mistakes, step up to try and make things right.

This is a story about bravery, redemption, and yes—romance. It’s packed with heart, action, and just the right dose of chaos.

Art

I think I need to start including a permanent disclaimer in all my reviews when it comes to art. If you’ve read any of my past reviews, you probably already know: I am not an artist. I once took a career aptitude test that placed me squarely at the bottom for anything involving artistic creativity. So take everything I’m about to say with a grain of salt, actually, make that a whole handful of salt. (Is that even a saying? It is now.)

That said, when I first opened Party Animals, I instantly knew I was going to enjoy it. That’s what good art can do, even before the first line of dialogue, it sets the tone, the mood, and gives you a reason to lean in. I’m a firm believer that first impressions matter, and Party Animals absolutely has the look.

From the cover, which gave me serious Deadly Class vibes, to the bold, high-contrast interior pages, the book knows how to grab attention. There’s a strong emphasis on purples (which, by the way, is my color, just throwing that out there in case you're shopping for me).

As a total novice, I read art in signals, vibes, and gut reactions. So here’s my attempt to break it down visually.

The character designs are minimal, but in a purposeful way. They rely heavily on facial expressions, and that’s where the magic is. Each character feels unique, not because of elaborate costume design, but because of how effectively their emotions are conveyed. It’s subtle, but powerful. In fact, I’d say that kind of simplicity takes real skill, this isn’t a lack of detail, it’s a smart focus on what matters.

The style reminds me a bit of Scott Pilgrim or Nimona. There's that same clean linework, expressive faces, and a sense of momentum in the layouts. And when the werewolves show up? They shift the tone perfectly. They reminded me a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The High School Years, where the monsters are just cartoonish enough to be fun, without losing their bite.

Conclusion

Party Animals is one of those stories that sneaks up on you. On the surface, it’s wild, chaotic, and packed with supernatural teen drama, but underneath all that, there’s a lot of heart. It’s about identity, forgiveness, and showing up for people. Even when it’s hard. Even when they’ve hurt you. Even when they might be turning into a werewolf.

For someone who didn’t grow up with house parties, or have a deep knowledge of art theory, this book still landed. And that’s what makes it special. It’s approachable. It’s weird in the best ways. It’s inclusive without feeling performative. And it’s got enough humor, action, and sincerity to leave a lasting impression.

Whether you're here for the monsters, the romance, or just a fun ride with characters who feel refreshingly real, Party Animals delivers. And honestly? I can’t wait to see what the rest of the Nightshade series has in store.