We’re well into September, which means it’s time we start building our TBRs for the autumn season. Here are some graphic novels with Halloween themes, spooky elements and an autumnal atmosphere to boot!
Oh, Sheets by Brenna Thummler is such a great read! I couldn’t get enough of the wonderfully autumnal illustrations. The story takes place in October, so the scenes are decorated with Halloween knickknacks and vibrantly colored leaves. It’s a cozy book set in a small lake town, but the story, at its core, is profound and quite sad. The main character, Marjorie, is a 13 year old girl who is left to run the family laundry business all by herself after the death of her mother. Marjorie encounters a lonely ghost named Wendell who is literally a bedsheet, and he unintentionally wreaks havoc on their business. This is an odd little book but so well done. I can’t wait for book two!
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll is a collection of graphic short stories, each spine-chilling and perfect for the Halloween season! The artwork is striking, especially with the oranges and blues against a black background. Many of the images are incredibly spooky and unsettling, like the bloody sheep’s head in “His Face All Red” and the shadowy figure peeping through the door in “The Nesting Place.” This is right up your alley if you’re looking to build an awesome Autumn/Halloween TBR!
Volume 1 of Paper Girls isn’t full on Halloween-themed, but the start of the book takes place on Halloween. The artwork is great, especially the bright color scheme and the Halloween decorations towards the beginning. I also loved the premise of these four girls teaming up to deliver papers, along with the nostalgic vibes of the 1988 small town setting. By the end of volume one, you’ll probably have grown attached to the characters and be dying to find out what the heck is going on!
Like Sheets, Anya’s Ghost is a YA graphic novel that features a pesky little ghost that begins to haunt our main character. One strange day, Anya falls down a well where she finds a skeleton. She soon is haunted by and even befriends a creepy old ghost named Emily. Anya has been struggling to fit in at her high school, so having a ghost to hang out with seems to not be such a bad thing…at first… I read this years ago but I remember enjoying it. It’s a cute book but also surprisingly unsettling and perfect for the spooky season.
Of all the books on this list, I’d say Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Hicks is the most festive! The cover and title say it all, really! It follows Deja and Josiah, two friends who reunite every fall as they work together at a pumpkin patch. But this is not just any old pumpkin patch. It’s a whole elaborate festival, with endless fall-themed activities to do – from hayrides to the corn maze to all the fallish snacks and beverages. Deja and Josiah are in their senior year of high school, so it’s a bittersweet day at the patch, indeed, as this will be their last season there. So they spend the day traveling through the patch, partaking in all the fall activities and seeing all the magically autumnal sights!
Here’s a more obscure recommendation for you! Life Sucks by Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria, and Warren Pleece is an adult graphic novel featuring vampires. Dave Marshall works at a convenience store and his boss has just turned him into a vampire and it’s really complicated his life. It’s been a while since I’ve read this, but I remember it giving off a real Clerks feel with the convenience store setting. And I love that it’s more of a satire rather than your stereotypical dark, serious, broody vampire story. So if you like horror comedies like I do, this might be worth adding to your Halloween TBR pile!
Spell On Wheels by Kate Leth follows three badass witches who are on a mission to retrieve their stolen magical items. They’re especially eager to find a stolen spell that could grant the thief supernatural powers. I enjoyed the colorful illustrations and the lively dynamic of the tenacious trio. Claire, Jolene and Andy are all incredibly likable, with their funny banter, their tight-knit friendship, and their determination to get back what’s theirs! And the witchy spells and evil villain are a sure way to spice up your Halloween TBR.
Here’s another cozy autumn read for you, with a magical storyline and whimsical art to match. Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker follows a witch and a werewolf and has distinct Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes, with a just a dash of Ginger Snaps (but much less scary, of course). The main character, Nova, is a teenage witch. She lives with her very wise Grandmothers who own a bookshop, where they keep plenty of books on magic and witchcraft in stock! With the help of her grandmothers and werewolf friend Tam, Nova works to defeat a demonically possessed horse! In the meantime, we get to see Nova and Tam’s relationship blossom into something more and it’s all very, very sweet.
Pawsitive Reads 