Comic Book Tricks and Treats for Halloween

Happy Halloween! To celebrate my favorite holiday, here are some tricks and treats from several sub-genres of horror.

Green River Killer, for fans of slasher flicks and true crime

Slasher films are my favorite horror movies. This most likely stems from my love for true crime, so when I saw we had Green River Killer, I bought it right away. Based on one of the deadliest serial killers in American history, and written by Jeff Jensen, son of the detective who brought the killer to justice, this graphic novel adds a personal touch to the story. It goes in depth about the police struggles and has one of the strongest cold opens I’ve ever read. Johnathan Case’s simple, black and white art focuses on emotions over violence, paying respect to the seventy one victims. I recommend this to anyone fascinated by true crime or the darker parts of American history.

Blackbird, for fans of the occult

This may not be scary, but Sam Humphries and Jen Bartel’s comic about witches and warlocks is worth several reads. Bartel’s beautiful characters and her fantastic use of color are what drew me in. As I read more, I became more compelled by the story of family and independence. While our protagonist, Nina Rodriguez, may not start off as the best person, her transformation throughout the novel is empowering. This story also has some of the best world building I’ve seen for urban fantasy. After spending a year in Los Angeles, I truly admire how Humphries and Bartel blend the world of LA with the world of magic.

Koshchei the Deathless, for fans of Gothic horror

I could list any of Mike Mignola’s comics, and they would all be an excellent example of goths horror. Right now I’m gonna focus on Koshchei the Deathless. What appeals to me about Mignola’s writing is how he pulls from classic fables and Victorian horror stories. Furthermore, this novel specifically focuses on Russian folklore and pays homage to characters like Baba Yaga. it also reinvents the tales to better fit the world of the BPRD. Complemented by Ben Stenbeck’s art, this book truly feels like a haunting fairy tale.

Anthony Bourdain’s Hungry Ghosts, for fans of ghost stories

I didn’t expect Anthony Bourdain to make a horror graphic novel. That being said, I’m glad Hungry Ghosts exists. He stays true to his image by incorporating recipes through out the book. Bourdain also provides in depth biographies for the Japanese ghosts he and Joel Rose took inspiration from. As for the stories themselves, graphic artwork mixed with ruthless demons and spirits makes for a gripping anthology.