It’s not a message from the great beyond, it’s just “So You Want To Read Comics”, a weekly feature where we focus on a single topic and recommend comics for newcomers based on that topic. This week, with Halloween coming up, it seemed like a good time to take a look at the monsters and ghouls that have gained a prominent place in our culture, starting with ghosts.

Ghosts have long held a place in storytelling traditions.  Tales of people unwilling or unable to pass on from this life into the other exist across the world throughout time.  As the methods of storytelling have advanced the deeds, both good and bad, of these wayward spirits have entertained, scared, informed, and fascinated people in movies, books, and TV shows.  They also make for an excellent costume if you’re willing to part with a sheet or two.

Now onto the recommendations.  Here are a couple of comics perfect for people who love ghosts but haven’t taken the dive into comic books yet.

Rachel Rising

Writer: Terry Moore
Artist: Terry Moore
Publisher: Abstract Studio

You can purchase this volume via the comiXology affiliate link

Rachel Rising is the story of (you guessed it) Rachel, a woman who seems to have an issue dying.  After being murdered she sets out to find her murderer, which leads her and her friends headfirst into a web of conspiracy, possession, homicide, and demons.  Much like a good TV show that runs for multiple seasons, Rachel Rising is excellent at taking a singular plot and spinning it out into something much bigger and encompassing. With well written characters and a good balance between drama and supernatural action, Rachel Rising’s 42-issue run is great for people who want a creepy story where they can really connect with the characters and see their story to completion.

Ghosted in L.A.

Writer: Sina Grace
Artist: Siobhan Keenan
Publisher: BOOM! Studios

You can purchase this volume via the comiXology affiliate link

Nothing said that a ghost story has to be scary.  In Ghosted in L.A. we meet Daphne who’s recently broken up with her boyfriend and alone in California.  She comes across a manor that’s inhabited by a group of ghosts who share her sense of loneliness.  With her new ghost friends Daphne begins to learn more about herself and who she wants to be as she agrees to do tasks for the ghosts that they’re unable to accomplish on their own.  Ghosted in L.A. is one of those stories that manages to take an absurd concept and uses it to create an legitimately touching and humorous story.  Learning about the different ghosts’ lives is fun and sometimes heartbreaking, while seeing Daphne evolve is equally engaging.  This is one to check out if you’re ready to see something unique done with elements that aren’t always cleverly used.

So what do you think? Did you check these out and did they do it for you?  Do you have recommendations of your own?  Let us know in the comment section below.

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