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The Monster Librarian Presents:
Reviews of Horror Related Graphic Novels for Young Adults
There aren't a large number of horror graphic novels out there but those that there are make for excellent additions to any library's graphic novel collection and are wonderful for reaching out to reluctant readers. Included are reviews for horror relates Manga:
Tales From
The Crypt #1: Ghouls Gone Wild (Tales from the Crypt Graphic Novels)
by Don McGregor and Mark Bilgrey, ill. by Exes, Sho Murase
Papercutz, 2007
ISBN-13: 978-1597070829
Available: New and Used
Tales from the Crypt #1: Ghouls Gone Wild is the first in a series of digest length graphic novels aimed at readers who are outgrowing The Midnight Library and Goosebumps series. The stories collected here will appeal to teens and reluctant readers. Tales from the Crypt is an appropriate choice for high school libraries as well as teen collections in public libraries. While there is some violence, most of the blood and gore is not graphically represented in the art, and there is no cursing or nudity. The books are sturdily bound in a hardcover format, and it appears that they will hold up well with frequent circulation.
Each story is introduced by three pun-loving characters; The Crypt-Keeper, The Old Witch, and the Vault-Keeper, who add an element of humor to the horror, and the art style is different for each story. The variety, quality, and entertainment value of the stories is such that, although the stories are targeted to teens, adults will enjoy them as well. Recommended for school media centers and public libraries.
Tales from the Crypt #1 includes the following stories:
"Body of Work" is the story of a young couple trying to get rich quick by stealing art from their eclectic artist neighbor who does paintings of the dead.
"Runway Roadkill" is the story of fashion designer Kimberly Kinselling’s ruthless behavior and the consequences of her actions.
"For Serious Collectors Only" tells of a young man who prizes his collection of action figures and finds that his latest acquisition comes with a deadly price.
"The Tenant" describes the situation of slumlord James Winchell, who has been sentenced to live in one of his houses, located near a cemetery.
Life
Sucks by Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria, and Warren Pleece*New Review
First Second Books, 2008
ISBN: 1596431075
Available: New
Life Sucks is an unusual, funny, and unglamourous take on the vampire tale. Dave Miller is a young man whose life takes a dramatic change when he applies for a night job at a convenience store. The vampire owner turns him, sealing Dave’s fate to forever be the night manager at the store. Dave’s life changes for the better when he meets Rosa, a goth girl. His attempt to romance Rosa is complicated when psycho-surfer vamp Wes decides to try for Rosa’s affection. Life Sucks is well-written, with good artwork. But mostly, it’s just plain fun. Those who appreciate a little irony with their vampires will get a kick out of Life Sucks. Recommended.
Contains: Violence, minor gore
Horror Classics Graphic Classics Volume Ten edited by Tom Pomplun
ISBN: 0-9746648-1-2
Eureka Productions, 2004
Availability: New
Horror Classics contains twelve works of classic horror from poems to very short stories to longer works from classic horror writers such as H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe and Clark Ashton Smith. Each story is illustrated in a different style, from dramatic to distinctly more cartoony art. Not all of the stories are as spooky as they were to the people of the era in which they were published, but many still hold timeless chills and all are still poignant stories. This is a fantastic book to both bring graphic novels and classic horror to a library's shelves. There are stories and writers within that many readers might not come across in a traditional bookstore, or might dismiss for not being modern enough, but the format is appealing enough to draw those readers in. The format also allows for spooky stories, murder, and horrible happenings to be shared without graphic shows of gore, sex or violence. Following in the tradition of classic horrorists it's often what is not seen that is scariest. Even the foulest of beasts and deeds are rendered bloodless, and often appear as mere indistinct and shadowy suggestions, making this a book an appropriate introduction to horror for libraries a little squeamish about building their collection.
Contains: N/A
Review by Michele Lee
Graphic
Classics: Edgar Allan Poe (Vol. 1 / 3rd Edition) edited by Tom
Pomplun
Eureka Productions, 2001
ISBN: 0974664871
Available: New
Graphic Classics: Edgar Allan Poe, compiled and edited by Tom Pomplun, is a graphic novel anthology of classic stories and poems by the legendary father of the American Gothic. These diverse, comic book-styled adaptations are outstanding and run the gamut between whimsical New Yorker-inspired cartooning, traditional American comic book styling, and more surreal works. Some of the tales included in this volume are the time honored classics "The Raven," "The Cask of Amontillado," and "The Tell-Tale Heart," as well as nine others. Stark black and white images bring the master storyteller’s words to life, and readers will be compelled to seek out other titles in Eureka’s Graphic Classics library. Readers advisory note: this title may be an accessible doorway to Poe’s work for reluctant readers. Lovers of Poe should be thrilled by this collection, as well as anyone with an interest in comic book art. Highly recommended: a must have for any library collection.
Contains: gruesome and shocking depictions of horror, sometimes real, though often times imagined.
Review by Bob Freeman.
Gothic
Classics: Graphic Classics
Eureka Productions, 2007
ISBN:0978791908
Available: New
Gothic Classics is a collection of gothic tales both long and short. This genre usually features fainting heroines, brooding heroes, haunted castles, and mysterious supernatural horrors. “Carmilla”, by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, is a tale of vampires predating Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” “The Mysteries of Udolpho”, by Ann Radcliffe, is a tale of romance and horror that was widely popular in its time and influenced writers as diverse as Edgar Allan Poe and Jane Austen. “Northanger Abbey” is Jane Austen’s parody of the gothic romance in general and “The Mysteries of Udolpho” in particular. There are a few short tales including “The Oval Portrait” by Edger Allan Poe, and “At the Gate” by Myla Jo Closser. These stories have the potential to appeal to a variety of different readers. More traditional horror enthusiasts will go for the vampire based tale of “Carmilla”, while fans of more a more blended version of romance and horror may be attracted to “The Mysteries of Udolpho”. The book would benefit from an introduction explaining the characteristics of gothic literature and the connections between the different stories (especially the inclusion of “Northanger Abbey”). Gothic Classics has the potential to be a good teaching tool for advanced English classes. However, the complexities and nuances of the stories would not necessarily make this title a good hook for reluctant readers. Recommended for libraries serving high school and college students exploring this literary genre. Contains: violence and murder.
Graphic
Classics: H.P. Lovecraft edited by Tom Pomplun
Eureka Productions, 2007
ISBN: 0974664898
Available: New
Graphic Classics: H.P. Lovecraft is an excellent introduction to Lovecraft's writing. Seven tales are presented in a graphic novel format, with the intent of staying true to the original Lovecraft. The stories are text heavy and the vocabulary is complex for an initial foray for reluctant readers, but the book will be an effective bridge to Lovecraft's work for readers who are more comfortable with a graphic format. The first story is "The Shadow Over Innsmouth," a tale of a young man who discovers dark secrets in an eerie seaside town. It is followed up by "Dreams in the Witch-House," about a young man haunted and possessed by an ancient evil in a boardinghouse. The third story, "Sweet Ermengarde," is a parody of romance stories and provides a brief change in tone. "Herbert West: Re-Animator," tells of a man obsessed with discovering the secret to reanimating the dead. "The Cats of Ulthar" introduces a small town couple whose hatred of cats has deadly results. "The Terrible Old Man" is about three thugs who search for hidden fortune in an old house. The last story, "The Shadow Out of Time," involves a professor's dreams that lead to a search for ancient buildings where evil awaits. Each story has a different illustrator and different writer adapting the tale for the graphic format. While H.P. Lovecraft’s stories do contain horror most of the killing is done “off stage”. Recommended for high schools. Contains: violence.
VIZ Media LLC, 2007
ISBN: 1421508222
Available: New
This manga is set in an elite boarding school that is home to the "dayclass" (humans) and the "nightclass" (vampires). Yuki and Zero, both survivors of vampire attacks, now protect the Dayclass from the Nightclass and vice versa. The first book was quite good, revealing Zero's tragic secret and setting up an interesting love triangle between Yuki, Zero, and Kaname, the head of the vampires. I'll definitely buy more in the series. According to the manga, this is rated T for Older Teens and they're not kidding there, as the parallels between vampires and sex are pretty clearly drawn. That said, I just talked to an 8th grader today who LOVES this book. Highly recommended for purchase by public libraries. Contains: implied Sexual situation Entry by Havoc.
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