Hellaween (Paperback)
Staff Reviews
A spooky, kooky graphic novel perfect for this Halloween season! Gwen is an aspiring witch, from her black boots to the point of her hat. The only problem is witchcraft doesn't exist anymore. With the help of her friends she finds an ancient spellbook. But these aren't normal friends, they're a werewolf and a vampire from the Hallowlands. A realm between this and another full of all sorts of spooks, tricks but not treats. The friends are determined to have the best Halloween ever. But a local neighborhood boy is determined to put a stop to their plans and prove monsters are real once and for all. A graphic novel that makes you think about stereotypes within society and writing. I was taken aback when I realized the panels were printed on black paper. The black background makes the character’s colors and personalities pop! An awesome story about friendship, individuality and forgiveness.
-Eva
— From Neat November Staff PicksDescription
Perfect for fans of Wednesday, Hooky, Monster High, and anyone in need of a wickedly good laugh, this graphic novel follows an aspiring witch and her two best friends as they try to have a fun-filled Halloween . . . while also dealing with a pair of neighborhood do-gooders hell-bent on vanquishing evil.
Learning to become a witch is hella difficult! Luckily, Gwen can always count on her two best friends in the whole world for help. Except Sloane and Miles aren’t exactly from this world. They’re from the Hallowlands, a monstrous realm, which they can only leave as the year creeps toward Halloween. This year, Gwen is determined to flex her magical skills. Armed with her first-ever grimoire, she’s hoping her friends will finally see that she has what it takes to leave boring suburbia behind and join them in the Hallowlands.
Except Gwen hadn’t counted on Hiro, a local kid obsessed with hunting the supernatural. When he and his reluctant sidekick start making trouble for them, the monster squad will have to fight to avoid having their secrets exposed—or worse. But when Gwen’s quest to prove herself leads to a string of unintended consequences, the five of them may just have to band together to take on something even more nightmarish than being a teen.
About the Author
Moss Lawton is a comic creator and storyboard artist from the Bay Area. They've worked as a story artist for TV and features at studios including Netflix, Nickelodeon, Disney, Dreamworks, and WB on projects such as Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, Monsters at Work, and Monster High, as well as Bidoof’s Big Stand with The Pokémon Company. Moss makes comics with the help of their very loud cat, Vincent, and has been told they decorate way too early for Halloween. You can find them online at dinolich.com and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @Dinolich.
Praise For…
"Stylishly spooky and outrageously fun. A spooky but sweet story about the importance of relying on your friends, especially when you feel alone." —Kirkus
"A slice-of-life character piece with supernatural high jinks humor. With its punk paranormal style, easygoing dialogue, and story of belonging and friendship, many tweens and young teens will find this graphic novel a relatable read." —School Library Journal
"Lawton fashions a raucous All Hallows’ Eve tale with a cheeky Halloweentown vibe in this wickedly funny graphic novel debut. [They explore] themes of miscommunication and connection through the lens of a good-intentioned witch with a chaotic approach to problem-solving." —Publishers Weekly
"It’s not that often that you come across a comic with so much charm and character. Such a beautiful book." —Rad Sechrist, creator and executive producer of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
"The kind of book that makes you feel like trash for not being a cool witch, werewolf, or vampire." —Jhonen Vasquez, creator and executive producer of Invader Zim
