All Hallows’ Eve Comics
Spooky season is upon us! If you’re anything like me this harkens back memories of staying up a little bit (or a lot a bit) after bedtime to catch a rerun of Nightmare on Elm Street and then not wanting to sleep for more than thirty minutes at a time because Freddy was always there to greet me. Now that I’m a little bit older, I enjoy the thrilling nature of a haunted house, a ghost story, a slasher wreaking havoc on a summer camp, and so many more devices that are used in the “horror” genre. I grew up reading Goosebumps, watching Tales from the Crypt & Are You Afraid of the Dark, and I’m so happy that there’s a new generation of YA and Middle-Grade Graphic Novels that are ushering in a new generation of spooky fanatics. This compiled list features recent and upcoming Graphic Novels that are sure to excite the fright.
The Hazards of Love Vol. 01 by Stan Stanley (Oni Press) is a delightfully creepy story about why you should never make a deal with a talking cat. Stanley creates a fantasy world that will make you want to never leave.
Sheets by Brenna Thummler (Oni Press) is a powerful story about unlikely friends that takes place in a haunted laundromat. Who doesn’t love that?
Specter Inspectors (Boom! Studios) is a paranormal adventure book that, as writer Bowen McCurdy says, “is everything I wanted to read when I was young; queer characters on adventures, ghosts, romance, and only a handful of demons.”
Misfit City (Boom! Studios) is an 80’s-inspired adventure reminiscent of a Scooby-Doo mystery. This one features an old pirate map, a thrilling adventure, and plenty of frights to make this Halloween season festive!
Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee (RH Graphic) is the sweet and spooky story of Lora, a human, and Alexa, the ghost who haunts her house and what it means to be who you are!
Fly by Night by Tara O’Connor (RH Graphic) is an upcoming thriller described as “Your perfect fall thriller! In this new book, Dee must find out what has happened to her missing twin. And she’ll discover that there is something wrong with the woods– but the monsters aren’t always who we think they are.” (Pub. November 16)
Sabrina the Teenage Witch Vol. 01 (Archie Comics) sees Sabrina starting out fresh in Greendale while balancing her life as a teen and a teen witch. Kelly Thompson brings the fantastic and fun story while Veronica and Andy Fish showcase the supernatural and frightening imagery and high jinks that Sabrina gets pulled in to.
Vampironica (Archie Comics) Veronica Lodge: Vampire?! This entry in the Archie Horror line is a fun and frightful Graphic Novel sure to put a smile on any Archie fan’s face!
Mason Mooney: Doppelgänger Detective by Seaerra Miller (Flying Eye) is the second entry featuring the paranormal investigator Mason Mooney and this is a hilarious, spooky ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for Hallowe’en in Grimbrook!
Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen (Harper Collins) is “an enchanting, farm-fresh debut graphic novel starring an unusual heroine who is braver than she realizes, for middle-grade readers looking for a cozy, adventuresome read in the vein of Witch Boy or Be Prepared.”
The Witch Boy Series by Molly Knox Ostertag (Scholastic) is a powerful story of Aster and him choosing what he wants to do over what is expected of him. Thrills. Dark Magic. Coming-of-Age. Hop in and enjoy the first three books in the series!
Haunted Mansion (Marvel Comics) Welcome, foolish mortals to the Haunted Mansion. Our tour stops here with the 13th graphic novel of the list. There’s no turning back now. Actually, we have 999 happy haunts here in this graphic novel adventure of the Haunted Mansion. But there’s always room for one more. Any volunteers?
Happy Halloween!
List compiled by CBC’s resident Graphic Novel and Comics expert, John McCormack. Check out other diverse book lists on our blog and from our Inclusivity Resources list.
