Editorials
13 Books to Get You in The Halloween Spirit
Fall is here and Halloween is fast approaching. By now you’ve likely filled out your October horror watchlists, but what about a good old-fashioned story? With the weather starting to cool down, sometimes nothing is better than staying inside with a good book. If you need an alternative to movies this Halloween, here are essential novels and stories to get you in the holiday spirit:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Written in the 1790s, this long-running Halloween classic inspired countless films, graphic novels, and Disney cartoons. It’s easy to see why; this creepy classic set in the small New York settlement oozes chilly October atmosphere complete with a Hessian soldier boogeyman in search of his missing head. Even if you’re familiar with Ichabod’s tale, this is still worth a read for Irving’s descriptive writing.
October Dreams: A Celebration of Halloween by various
What’s Halloween without a collection of spooky stories to set the mood? A whopping 650-page collection of Halloween stories by prominent authors, this anthology novel should last you through a couple Halloweens. Novellas, short stories, essays, and real memories all from notable authors like Jack Ketchum, Poppy Z. Brite, Dean Koontz, Peter Straub, and much, much more. For readers who may be difficult to please, this massive book should have something for everyone- all for Halloween.
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
Originally published in 1972, Ray Bradbury’s fantastical journey through time and space for eight costumed boys on Halloween night, in which they discover the meaning of the holiday as they travel from ancient Egypt to the catacombs of Mexico, is a Halloween classic. If you can, though, grab the 2015 edition with illustrations by Gris Grimly, making this story even more Halloween appropriate.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
When it comes to Halloween, there may be no other more relevant author than Ray Bradybury. This classic novel influenced prominent horror authors like Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, and R.L. Stine. A terrifying coming of age tale surrounding best friends Jim and Will discovering evil when a carnival arrives in the unseasonal month of October. Though carnival leader Mr. Dark promises to fulfill their wishes, they find only nightmares granted instead. The most memorable version of the story is Disney’s 1983 adaptation, but stick with this novel instead.
The October Game by Ray Bradbury
Bradbury wrote a lot of stories and novels around Halloween, but no Bradbury story, Halloween or otherwise, ever got as dark or as gruesome as this short story. Set on Halloween, as a wife prepares for a Halloween party for her daughter and her daughter’s friends, the story is told from the perspective of the husband. It quickly becomes clear that this husband absolutely loathes his family, and the party leave them in danger. The perfect spooky story for Halloween, Bradbury crafts a chilling story.
Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge
This Bram Stoker Award winner is quintessential Halloween. Set on Halloween in 1963, in a small Midwestern town, the legendary October Boy rises every year, is handed a butcher knife, and is pitted against teen boys in a game of hunter or hunted. The boy that kills October Boy is awarded the chance to leave town and a free ride for his family for a year. Of course, this Halloween things go awry. Partridge embraces all the holiday tropes in this quick read.
Johnny Halloween: Tales of the Dark Season
After the success of Dark Harvest, Partridge revisits Halloween with a collection of stories celebrating Halloween past and present. Numerous holiday themed stories, but Partridge also includes one about October Boy from his breakout novel, for those missing this new holiday icon. Not content to just stick with fictional accounts of the holiday, Partridge also includes an essay about what it was like to grow up in the town where the Zodiac Killer began his torment. Another great Halloween read by an author clearly as in love with the holiday as we are.
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny
Imagine a 31-chapter novel (one for each day in October) that sees the likes of Jack the Ripper, Count Dracula, Rasputin, Dr. Frankenstein, and more coming together in one place on Halloween night to complete a ritual. Oh, and it’s told from the perspective of a dog. More humorous and light than traditional spooky Halloween fare, this one is an absolute blast. The novel also features 31 great illustrations by Gahan Wilson, and served as inspiration for Neil Gaiman’s “Only the End of the World Again.” If you’re looking for something different to read, make it this one.
The Pine Deep trilogy by Jonathan Maberry
This Halloween themed book trilogy is for horror fans; Maberry interweaves Tom Savini, Ken Foree, Joe Bob Briggs, and many more genre vets into his series as characters. As for plot, it’s set in the fictional Pennsylvanian town of Pine Deep, where the rural town is plagued by evil thought to have been destroyed thirty years ago. Considered America’s most haunted town, Pine Deep is deeply rooted in a booming Halloween industry, and the lead character, Malcolm Crow, owns a Halloween-themed craft store. Part love letter to Halloween, part supernatural slasher, this is a must read; start with the first novel, Ghost Road Blues.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Technically not a Halloween novel, Jackson’s final novel still feels like one. It’s small town New England setting, chilling atmosphere, a Gothic dark house, an urban legend quality, and a wacky unreliable narrator makes for a perfect October read. While Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is a classic, this underrated gem deserves just as much attention.
Pork Pie Hat by Peter Straub
Peter Straub’s most well-known novel, Ghost Story, is also a great October read, but this novella is a unique tale set on Halloween. Jazz legend Pork Pie Hat witnessed a horrible event on Halloween night as a child in the forbidden woods dubbed The Backs, and it’s haunted him ever since. The story of what he witnessed is told over the span of the novella, as an aged saxophonist being interviewed by a graduate student. A quick and disturbing story worth seeking out.
John Carpenter’s Tales for a Halloween Night by John Carpenter, Various
This award-winning graphic novel anthology series is currently being developed for Syfy, and the third collection is due out in bookstores on October 10. All the more reason for you to catch up on this one now. Bringing together storytellers from movies, comics, and novels, this anthology includes stories by Carpenter himself. As with most anthologies, some stories are much stronger than others, but overall this is a fun horror series perfect for October.
Nocturnals by Dan Brereton
A six-part limited series collectively subtitled Black Planet, this pulpy noir series featuring a core group of supernatural characters lead by Doc Horror as they battle the criminal underworld and Lovecraftian beings known as the Crim. Brereton’s stunning signature painted art style further enhances the Halloween feel of this fantastic series. Best of all? As great as all of the characters are, the best may be Doc Horror’s daughter Evening, aka Halloween Girl, who carries around her pumpkinhead filled with toys that grow monstrously large and attack on Eve’s whim.
No conversation about cartoons based on live-action movies is ever complete without mentioning The Real Ghostbusters.
This animated continuation is, warts and all, a notable example of turning a hit movie into a hit series. And although the new target demographic skewed a little younger, even kids-at-heart could partake in the further adventures of Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore and Egon Spengler.
For a good part of its run, the show required fans to wait at least a week for more Ghostbustin’. That’s torture for a kiddo. Luckily, though, the entire series, or at least most of it, is now available for streaming.
So, as you revisit The Real Ghostbusters on Tubi—for now it’s just the first five seasons there—use this guide to help prioritize some must-see episodes.
The Boogieman Cometh
“The Boogieman Cometh” (Season 1)
Season One’s “The Boogieman Cometh” is a classic episode featuring one of the show’s more iconic villains. It’s hard to forget the unique character design used for the Boogieman (whose creepy voice was provided by Ray and Slimer’s actor, Frank Welker). In this story, Egon is reunited with that bump-in-the-night entity who haunted his own childhood, all while trying to keep him away from his latest targets: the brother and sister claiming to have the Boogieman in their closet. Although the Ghostbusters do save the day here, the Boogieman eventually returns (“The Bogeyman Is Back“). That same episode also features the love-’em-or-hate-’em Junior Ghostbusters.
Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream
“Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream” (Season 1)
You could say the namesake of “Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream” had good intentions for putting mankind to sleep for the next few centuries—he wanted to end war and keep everyone dreaming. Sounds nice until you remember that whole free will business. But when it seems like the Ghostbusters have lost to their latest foe, the last one standing, Winston, gains a sudden ally. Janine’s dream of becoming a Ghostbuster is manifested, and she helps put this rogue spirit to bed.
When Halloween Was Forever
“When Halloween Was Forever” (Season 1)
Before the show’s execs capitalized on Slimer’s popularity by making him the focus of later episodes, early stories like “When Halloween Was Forever” better utilized that gooey ghost. Here, the spirit of Halloween itself, Samhain, hopes to make the holiday a permanent thing by stopping time. And who does the embodiment of All Hallows’ Eve use in his nefarious plot? Slimer, of course. Thankfully, the lil’ green bud knows where he really belongs, and Samhain is banished (at least until Season 3’s “Halloween II 1/2“).
Night Game
“Night Game” (Season 2)
Because Season Two was rather long, in comparison to other seasons, it accumulated quite a few solid episodes. One of the most beloved, though, is that ultimate good-versus-evil story, “Night Game“. Winston gets to shine here as he participates in a battle that was 500 years in the making. Except this time, the fighting is done on the baseball field. The other-dimensional settings in The Real Ghostbusters are always great, but the one here is particularly memorable.
Drool, the Dog-Faced Goblin
“Drool, the Dog-Faced Goblin” (Season 2)
Not all ghosts and whatnot were bad in The Real Ghostbusters. As “Drool, the Dog-Faced Goblin” showed, some were actually benevolent. Sadly, it took a lot of convincing, and one very heroic act, for Peter and the others to see past this goblin’s grotesque appearance. The heroes find more than one shapeshifter at a sideshow carnival in the Poconos; a sinister Class-4er called the Metamorph does a swell job of menacing the Ghostbusters before they finally realize Drool’s not their culprit. The good guys indeed win here, but that victory is a bittersweet one.
The Collect Call of Cathulhu
“The Collect Call of Cathulhu” (Season 2)
While “The Collect Call of Cathulhu” does misspell “Cthulhu” in the title (probably to avoid legal issues), it is clearly the Old One in this Lovecraft-inspired episode. The story kicks off with the Necronomicon being stolen by the deity’s modern-day cult, who then raise their ancient god at Coney Island. From there, the Ghostbusters’ typical methods don’t work on the big guy, so they seek advice from an old issue of Weird Tales (or “Wierd Tales”, as it’s spelled on screen). That build-up to the finale comes with a decent amount of dread before the Ghostbusters, as well as a scholar named Alice, face off with one of the show’s most powerful entities.
Knock, Knock
“Knock, Knock” (Season 2)
A number of Real Ghostbusters episodes could be reworked into big-screen features, but perhaps “Knock, Knock” is the most hopeful. It helps that this story feels in step with the first two movies. Here, some ignorant construction workers accidentally uncover and open an ancient door in the subway. What’s behind said door is none other than those unspeakable evils that only the Ghostbusters can quell. A good deal of the imagery here is prime for adaptation.
The Grundel
“The Grundel” (Season 3)
One of the darker episodes, which was written by the prominent J. Michael Straczynski, is “The Grundel“. Here, a boy is being influenced by the titular entity, a type of ghost who ultimately turns his targets into new Grundels. The episode does have something of an after-school special quality to it, but that doesn’t take away from the eerier moments. For more Grundel lore, be sure to check out the episode “Grundelesque” from the sequel series, Extreme Ghostbusters.
Standing Room Only
“Standing Room Only” (Season 4)
It’s no secret that The Real Ghostbusters experienced multiple changes after the second season. Out of all of them, though, retooling the show so that Slimer would get more of the spotlight is maybe the most egregious. Thankfully, Season Four (the first to be called Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters) didn’t completely obey that new directive; episodes like “Standing Room Only” felt more like the old days. The focus here was on the well-being of the city and its people, rather than on the series’ green mascot (or the Junior Ghostbusters). In the episode, Peter’s new ghost attractor isn’t to blame for the ensuing chaos; the ghost-eating Mee-Krah is what’s really imperiling everyone. And the Ghostbusters must dish out everything they have to avoid a doomsday situation.
The Halloween Door
“The Halloween Door” (Season 5)
While many fans will skip the later seasons in their rewatches, episodes like “The Halloween Door” are still worth checking out. This colorful helping of Halloween pandemonium premiered on primetime, so the animation is better than usual. And save for a random musical moment, it’s an enjoyable event. Here, a group of anti-Halloweeners tries to cancel the holiday, but they only end up making things worse by unleashing a baddie named Boogaloo.
The first five seasons of The Real Ghostbusters are available on Tubi, starting on July 15.
You must be logged in to post a comment.