October Staff Picks!

Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales by Melanie Gillman
Feminist, queer, fractured fairy tales rendered in incredible colored pencil drawings? Melanie Gillman is here!! I loved As the Crow Flies, and was thrilled to get my hands on Other Ever Afters. And, really, I should say mended fairy tales, or reconditioned fairy tales instead of “fractured” since Gillman seeks to disrupt the familiar tropes and characters in traditional fairy tales, and those things could sure use some disrupting. I can’t decide which story was my favorite, but some stand out elements for me were the fragmented snapshots of the gorgeous, green giantess in “Sweet Rock,” Hsthete the trickster turning the tables on Prince Charming, and the lesson on the interconnectedness of trees and mushrooms in “The People’s Forest.” This book is perfect for fans of queer, young adult graphic novels, or fractured fairy tales, but also anyone is interested in use of color in comic storytelling, and unique character design.

Slash Them All by Antoine Maillard
This award winning pick is a new release and perfect for the impending spooky season! Slash Them All, drawn in immaculately detailed, sketchy black and white, dishes up a story that will have fans of classic horror films on the edges of their seats. When two girls’ bodies are found in the seaside town at the center of the story, it kickstarts community panic and paranoia that forces the teenage protagonists into a kind of adulthood they aren’t prepared for. Meanwhile, something even more sinister lurks around the corner.

This story is captivating and gorgeously drawn, and the characters feel real in such a visceral way. The plot unfolds slowly and meticulously, reminiscent of beloved slasher flicks like Halloween but with a sharp focus on adolescent coming-of-age that gives it even more depth. I’d say that you won’t regret picking this one up, but you just might! Still, go for it anyway. Maybe just not at night.

The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror by Various Authors
This new collection of The Treehouse of Horror comics is a fantastic throwback to my childhood and me desperately seeking an escape from my parents’ escalating divorce! Silly, spooky fun for all ages with a myriad of writers (Weird Al Yankovich!) and artists (Sergio Aragones!) is a must buy for the Halloween season.

From Hell by Alan Moore
Alan Moore, ya son of a gun, ya did it again. You created a masterpiece of graphic fiction that would be beloved by both comic readers and non comic readers alike, and would eventually become a movie which people think is bad and/or meh. It’s weird that that keeps happening.

Anyway, From Hell is great. It’s about that dang old Jack the Ripper. This book follows one of the many theories about who Jack the Ripper is. It’s not accurate at all, except for the gruesome murders and the way they happened, which Eddie Campbell draws in such intricate and great detail. It’s extremely interesting, thrilling, and perfect for a Halloween read.

Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
Oh my gosh, this gorgeous book is. So. Cute!!! Just look at the stunning cover! Gustavo the Shy Ghost follows, well, a shy ghost named Gustavo! As the upcoming Day of the Dead celebration approaches, Gustavo realizes he may be a little too good at his ghostly power of invisibility, and finds that his shyness is preventing him from finding any friends to celebrate with. Sweet, funny, and original, this New York Times bestseller is sure to be a hit with your little ones.

Construction Site Gets a Fright! by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Our resident vehicles lover has a seasonal pick you don’t want to miss! In this Halloween iteration of the bestselling Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series, our beloved trucks get carried away prepping for spooky season and end up a little too spooked! Tuck in with your little one and give this funny little book a read.