With so many people starting to prepare for their Halloween celebrations, it seems like a good time to highlight some comics about monsters, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures. Not all of these comics are scary. Some are creepy, some are funny, and some are cute, but if you love supernatural characters, this list is sure to have a book that will keep you glued to the last page.
Sleepy Hollow by Marguerite Bennett with art by Jorge Coelho – Based on the Fox TV series by the same name, this comic is set in modern day Sleepy Hollow, New York, and covers unseen adventures of Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills during the same timeline as the first season of the TV show. The volume also features short stories written and illustrated by Noelle Stevenson. All of the stories will be the perfect fix for fans who want to see more of the great interplay between Ichabod and Abbie and the supernatural adventures that they tackle.
Nightlights by Lorena Alvarez – Sandy is a young Catholic school student who happens to also be an amazing artist. She creates her work by capturing the lights that come to her room late in the night just as she is falling asleep. When the new girl at school, Morfie, sees her art, she offers Sandy some much needed validation about her talent, but when it ends up that Morfie might not be everything she seems, will Sandy be able to have the confidence in her own talent necessary to recover? This story about artistic insecurity and tackling fears isn’t a traditional horror story, but its creepy elements will appeal to those who want only lightly scary elements in their reading. The artwork is engaging and will instantly draw readers into Sandy’s worlds (both real and imaginary).
Moonstruck by Grace Ellis with art by Shae Beagle – Have you ever wanted to read a story about a coffee shop in a small college town that just happens to be populated by supernatural creatures? If so, Moonstruck is for you. This new series follows barista Julie who just happens to be a werewolf. Follow her as she navigates work, relationships, neighbor relations, and being a werewolf. This series just started, but it has a lot of promise!
Edward Scissorhands: Parts Unknown by Kate Leth with art by Drew Rausch – This comic is perfect for fans of Edward Scissorhands. Picking up years after the movie, when Kim’s granddaughter Megs starts questioning the popular opinion that Kim’s stories of Edward were nothing but lies and delusions, the story starts on two divergent paths. One follows Edward as he seeks to bring to life another creation much like himself named Eli and the other follows Megs as she digs for the truth that her mother doesn’t want to discuss. Slowly the two stories converge as Eli escapes and Megs slowly realizes the truth. The artwork complements both the story and the style of the original movie. A great read for both Edward Scissorhands fans and for those looking for a creepy tale.
Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola with art by Emily Carroll – Based on the famous Russian fairytale character Baba Yaga, this comic twists the story a bit to focus not on the witch, but instead on Masha, the young girl desperate for adventure who wants to be her assistant. Will she be able to pass the tests set for her to earn her place by Baba Yaga’s side? McCoola’s story and Carroll’s artwork complement each other perfectly to create a wonderful reading experience that is great for both those who want love folktales and those who just love strong and compelling characters.
Ghostbusters: Answer the Call by Kelly Thompson with art by Corin Howell – If you loved the recent Ghostbusters reboot, this comic is for you! This limited five issue series, which starts this month, lets readers jump back into the world of Patty Tolan, Erin Gilbert, Abby Yates, and Jillian Holtzmann. The Ghostbusters are facing a powerful ghost who feeds on people’s fears. It promises to be a fun adventure and a great chance to learn more about this universe.
I hope this will offer plenty of frightful fun for a spooky Fall! Let us know your own favorites in the comments!
– Carli Spina, currently reading Spinning by Tillie Walden