It’s that time of the year again, and with the spooky season in full swing, we wanted to highlight some awesome YA graphic novels from all across the horror genre! As a bonus, we’ve linked to the portfolios of some of these awesome creators and illustrators, so check them out for even more super-cool art! Whether you’re a fan of creepy tales that keep you up at night or just looking for a thrilling read to get into the spirit of the season, these graphic novels are sure to delight! Here are some must-reads that will have you turning pages late into the night.
Join team leader Noa, her little brother Gus, cameraman Ko, and totally-not-a-crush Astrid as the viral ghost-hunting team, the Specter Inspectors, as they dive into the secrets of Cape Grace. When a demonic possession traps them in the town, they have to unravel secrets long buried and evade the clutches of a nefarious cult before their time runs out. With relationships straining, startling specters at every turn, and the ever-looming deadline of their next episode’s debut, the gang must work together if they want to make it out alive.
Squad – Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Illustrator Lisa Sterle
If you’ve ever wanted a Werewolf Mean Girls adaptation, well, you’re in luck! When Piedmont High’s newest student, Becca, falls in with the pack of popular girls, it isn’t long before she is swept up into the life of sneaking out to parties, expensive clothes (all on Arianna’s dad’s credit card, of course), and living in the spotlight. But when a party turns sour, and Becca is cornered by a drunk and ill-intentioned boy from a neighboring school, her new friends come to the rescue in a terrifying way. Will Becca join Marley, Amanda, and Arrianna’s pack, hunting predatory boys and taking back power any way they can, or will the pressure of their lycanthropic secret be too much for the four teens to handle?
Backstagers: Rebels Without Applause – James Tynion IV and Illustrator Rian Sygh
In the bowels of the high school theater department, the Backstagers reside. As the theater’s tech crew, this quirky crew is a close-knit group that runs the show from the wings, mercifully out of the way of the monstrous McQueen twins (yuck). The only hitch? There are mysterious, magical tunnels that run beneath the school and into the unknown. When Jory stumbles into the strange other world beneath the school on his first day at the all-boys school and helps save the crew from duplicating tool mice, he has no idea what’s waiting for them when the curtain falls and real drama begins.
Harrow County: Vol. 1 Countless Haints – by Cullen Bunn and Illustrated by Tyler Crook
When Hester Beck was put to death, she vowed this would not be the end of her. She was reviled, a healer and a witch, with supernatural power that gave only when it could take. Eighteen years later, Emmy has spent her whole life on her father’s farm, and is haunted by dreams of the tree upon the hill. But as her coming-of-age draws closer, strange things begin to happen on the farm. Livestock are dying in droves, and Emmy’s dreams are getting stranger. She always knew something was lurking in the woods– stories of witches, demons, and the hauntings of strange “haints” of all kinds– but she never knew how close they could be…until one turns up in her backyard and sets off a chain of events that just might change life as she knows it.
These graphic novels are perfect for readers looking to immerse themselves in eerie atmospheres, compelling characters, and spine-chilling stories. Whether you prefer a touch of romance, a dash of magic, or a full-on ghostly encounter, there’s something in this list to make your spooky season extra special. Happy haunting!
