A Killer Mentor... and the Ultimate Podcast Pitch...THE SLASHER’S APPRENTICE VOL. 1

A Horror Podcaster’s Dream Gig Turns Into a Nightmare Apprenticeship

Mad Cave Studios invites readers to sharpen their blades and press “record” with the release of THE SLASHER’S APPRENTICE VOL. 1 trade paperback collection.

Created by Justin Richards (Finger Guns), Val Halvorson (Pareidolia), Rebecca Nalty (Vampirella Red Sonja), and Buddy Beaudoin (Corvus), this first collected volume delivers a chilling yet darkly funny exploration of fandom gone too far.

Riley, a horror-obsessed podcaster with a lifelong slasher fixation, is ready for a career pivot: helping her favorite legendary villain—The Hopton Valley Killer—regain their long-lost notoriety. As Riley dives deeper into the art of the kill, she discovers that idolizing a murderer is easier than surviving their mentorship.

Richards and Halvorson have been a team since their breakout on Finger Guns, bonding over late-night horror marathons, video games, and a shared love of Nine Inch Nails. During the pandemic they traded story beats and scares, laying the groundwork for a project that would push the slasher genre in new directions. When the idea for The Slasher’s Apprentice surfaced, Richards brought Halvorson in from day one, co-writing a series that honors classic horror while carving out something entirely their own.

A sharp blend of Scream, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, and American Psycho, The Slasher’s Apprentice is perfect for true-crime addicts, horror buffs, and readers who like their satire with a serrated edge.

It’s thrills and chills to creep up your spine—The Slasher’s Apprentice Vol. 1 drops October 28, 2025.

To get the latest news on Mad Cave Studios on social media, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to check out the full lineup of new releases, licenses, and celebrated creator-owned titles!

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!