Here at the Grimoire of Horror, we were excited to take a look at the third volume of Halloween Girl, entitled Halloween Girl: Gods & Monsters. You can see our thoughts on the first two volumes here and here to see if this graphic novel series is one that piques your interest for Halloween tales year-round.
After the mysterious deaths of two young boys, supernatural heroines, Charlotte and Poe, suspect a Hollow splinter group may be to blame, but are shocked to discover an unwitting child ‘Savior’ at the other end—leading them from his darkest dreams.
As Book Two acted as a prequel for the series, Halloween Girl: Gods & Monsters picks up right where Book One left off. Written by Richard T. Wilson with art and lettering by Shahed R, the artistic quality is consistent and poignant. Going back to using only one artist for illustrations such as in book two, we are transported into the story without the jostle of switching artists and styles. It’s a cohesive, wise choice for continuing with the series.
A wide range of emotions is demonstrated functionally within the artwork, necessary for tackling such heavy subjects and psychological depth. Whether it’s a smirk or sobbing, one can easily perceive what the characters are going through thanks to Shahed R’s wonderful portrayals.
“This book explores the dark energies we unconsciously invite in when we’re deeply damaged, or just plain lost. In our story, an abused little boy has disconnected from his feelings—but these same angry feelings fester until they send out signals to—you guessed it! Those nasty little Hollow spiders are in search of their new ‘God’. The result is obviously tragic, and it’s soon up to Charlotte and Poe to solve the mystery before the next bizarre murder occurs.”, Wilson explains.
Halloween Girl: Gods & Monsters has the darkest plot yet, with murder, abuse, children’s deaths, and more. The sensitive topics are handled with discretion; only what needs to be shown is displayed, yet we are shown more than we are told. Continuing to tackle grief, despair, and what it’s like to live on after your loved one has passed, Halloween Girl displays tact with heavy subjects, offering solace to those who have experienced loss.
Tying up the plot nicely, yet leaving room for future adventures, Volume Three is a solid addition to the series. Halloween Girl: Gods & Monsters offers the type of catharsis and banter the lineup is known for. Poe tries to come to terms with events from book one, a child adjusts to losing his mother, and the villains are effective and relatable.
The dynamic, new horror adventure is now available for Pre-Order here, which includes autographed copies by the author. This exclusive Pre-Order is only available at Mad Shelley Comics. The book goes into wide release on June 3rd.
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Hello, I’m Quinn. Saying I’m deeply into fashion and Japanese culture is an understatement. We’ve renovated entire rooms of our house to dedicate to my collections of lolita and other Japanese fashions. I enjoy balancing the cute with the macabre, and the more disturbing it is, the more I’ll enjoy it. Thus, my love for Asian horror and manga was born. Thank you for taking the time to read my writings. I look forward to discussing films and aesthethics with you!