​Well kiddies, we’ve reached the end of our NOS4A2 journey. I hope you enjoyed the ride thus far. To end the tour, I’d like to share with you some thoughts on my favorite characters throughout the overall universe. Because wow… it really is a universe, isn’t it? From novel to comics to television, NOS4A2 has introduced various realms and ties to the supernatural world – some old and some new. In particular, Joe Hill has went out of his way to tie this world to some of his other works and that of his father’s as well. VERY COOL!! While Showrunner Jami O’Brien sought to expand on these unique creations even further via the deliciously evil and visually stunning television series. NICE!! All of which have culminated into one hell of a body of work that we here at Nerds That Geek wholeheartedly love and support via our NOS4A2 Collections page seen here! So, to add to this page and celebrate the work even more, grab some hot cocoa and join me as I hang a few more decorations on this incredibly awesome character tree, starting with Chris McQueen!!

​The patriarch of the McQueen household, Chris is a war veteran, rides a Harley and works on a demolitions crew. As if any of that wasn’t cool enough, he’s Vic’s biggest cheerleader and always backs her against Vic’s mother Linda (Virginia Kull). So basically, on the surface, Chris seems like the proverbial cool dad. Dig a little deeper however, and it’s easy to see that he’s an abusive alcoholic and adulterer with a whole host of issues he projects onto his wife and daughter. To put it mildly, on several levels, he’s loathsome!! So why the hell is he on this list? Well, because the deeply flawed often turn out to be the most surprising. It seems O’Brien agrees since she clearly brought this character to the forefront versus his novel counterpart. Likely because in many ways, good and bad, Vic is who she is because of her father. Further, despite both of their faults, Chris, with just a few words, often gives incredible advice and insight to Vic on life, college, parenthood, anger, trauma and forgiveness which I LOVE!! To say nothing of the HUGE fact Ebon knocks this role out of the park! So much so, that I found myself rooting for Chris. That he would do the right thing in the end. And in both the novel and television series, he does just that, losing his life in the process! It’s absolutely heartbreaking, particularly on screen. *SIGH*

​From novel to screen, Bing Partridge is a towering individual with the intellect of a child. He’s that quiet unseen, until it’s too late, type of evil. CHILLS GALORE!! Not to mention, overall, his arc is disgusting and sad. Honestly, if I only had the novel to know this character, I am not completely sure he would make this list. But Ólafur gives him a more jolly and pitiful feel. Especially since O’Brien decided to portray him as Vic’s friend appearing a bit more like a manipulated gentle giant. A big dumb oof who’s just looking for approval. She also takes care to show us the darker nuances of his evil in pieces making him all the scarier down the road. And HOLY COW what a dark road it is!! He’s a complicated character with a lot of layers and Ólafur does an excellent job of showing us just how many layers there are. The best part is seeing his expressions change from jolly to confused to outright cold evil. YIKES!!

​Beyond Charlie, who graces all three mediums of this mouthwateringly evil universe, Agnes is the only comic character to make my list. A seemingly average prison guard whose near retirement, Agnes ends up being one of the best additions I could ask for to a prisoner transport gone very, very wrong! She’s smart, feisty and brutally honest. All good traits for sure. I loved her almost instantly… LOL!! But what really put her on the list is despite waking up from being drugged smack dab in the middle of Christmasland, she thinks fast on her feet and holds her own to the very end. Plus, since the comic takes place less than 5 years prior, I’ll always wonder if she’s somehow related to a one Dolores Claiborne (Stephen King; Viking; 1992) making her yet another tie in by Hill to King’s work. NICE!! Finally, amongst her other triumphs, I laughed my ass off at the several panels of whoopass she hands out to a very well deserved piece of crap prisoner named Denis Sykes. HECK YEAH!!

​Anyone who reads the NOS4A2 novel falls in love with Lou. If not, there is ice in your veins… LOL!! A big bear of hugs, he’s warm and funny. And despite his own fears, he’s a true stand-up guy from day one. Plus, his parenting skills are tried and true and come directly from the heart. AWWW!! I remember reading tweets and seeing how happy fans were to see him brought to screen. Then I read the novel and completely understood their jubilation. But, I met him on screen first and felt and saw all those same character traits through the talents of Jonathan Landon. He’s a superhero whether he believes it or not and I love that O’Brien chose a person of color to embrace this role. I don’t believe his race is discussed in the novel so Landon is the only one I envisioned when reading it. Thus, Landon will always be Lou to me!! Besides, considering the heart of the character isn’t changed much, the combination of the two – pages and screen – made me love him all the more. So much so that I kept thinking he was going to die in one format or another, but Lou makes it through both!! *WHEW*

​Compared to all the other dark Strong Creatives, Charlie seems to have immense power. I mean… all the creeps in the Parnassus Bar vacate upon his presence. Even Pennywise! WHOA! Not to mention, when viewing the United Inscapes of America map, he’s the only one that can travel from one end to the other via the St. Nick’s Parkway AND, like the others, the Night Road. And though we never truly learn why he’s so powerful, I will always maintain it’s because of the shared power with his Knife – The Wraith. But what truly lands him on my list is twofold: the comics AND Zachary Quinto!! Charlie’s backstory is quite a layered tale and the character illustrations are crazy creepy in all the right places. But with Quinto’s charisma, Manx becomes the perfect villain!! I bet O’Brien and Hill were ecstatic to see this character on screen!! For, his curmudgeonly rude disposition as an old man is hilarious… LOL! Yet, there’s always a linger of evil lying about. As for his younger self? Quinto is intoxicatingly at ease with this character and I LOVE IT!! Especially when he’s courting someone. Be it Bing, children or Vic, he often says things that are generally true, making his prey question what’s actually happening. So much so, you almost want him to win… ALMOST!!

​Aside from Charlie, Vic is quite the anchor in this twisted tale. Tough and determined, she’s the perfect nemesis to stand up to Manx and the two together make for some spectacular television. YEP!! But what lands Vic on my list, beyond the great character exploration put forth by Hill’s words in the novel, is her portrayal by Ashleigh Cummings on screen. I couldn’t get enough! Her coming of age tale spun by O’Brien from an amalgamation of Vic’s younger years and her high school days, are relatable AF!! She’s always just a bit awkward and uncomfortable in her own skin which fits this character perfectly. I also LOVE her dynamic with Maggie!! Plus, season one Vic is hard headed and naïve while season 2 Vic, eight years later, is notably more grown and calculated. Not an easy task for any actor, yet Cummings makes it look easy! BRAVO LADY!!

Having been brought to the NOS4A2 world via the television series, I must say that Maggie’s novel counterpart seems different to me. In fact, while having a lot of guts and a similar tough exterior, book Maggie seems weaker than TV Maggie somehow. Of course, this is quite far from the truth, as book Maggie dies a noble death standing up to Manx while simultaneously protecting Vic’s whereabouts. NICE!! I can honestly say I was quite distraught over her death. But Jahkara!!! Well, she adds an entirely new element to this character that wasn’t felt through the page. A newcomer to acting, NOS4A2 was Jahkara’s first major role, though one could hardly tell since she settles into the character like a veteran badass. DAMN STRAIGHT SHE DOES!! I mean… the entire cast brings their A-game to be sure, but Smith stands out for me. Her relaxed portrayal makes Maggie feel like “the witchy best friend I’ve always wanted.” Not to mention, in O’Brien’s version, not only does she NOT die, she defeats the Hourglass Man (Paul Schneider) AND helps Vic take down Christmasland. F@*K YEAH!! Plus, she ends the series by taking an elevator seemingly to explore the mysterious World of Thought leaving ALL OF US guessing yet happy, that come hell or high water, she’s coming into her own. Because if anybody can find more Strong Creatives for the fight or a safer way to use their gift, it’s Maggie!! *BIG GRIN*
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And there you have it kiddies!! My favorite characters in the world of NOS4A2. A few honorable mentions include: Virginia Kull as Linda McQueen for her conviction towards such a deeply complicated character; Jason David as Bruce Wayne McQueen for his diversity and range at such a young age; and Mattea Conforti as Millie Manx who embodied the comic character with admirable intensity. Of course, as I’ve already mentioned, the ENTIRE cast is pretty damn phenomenal but any actor can only excel at their craft when given the material to do so. And, beyond the crazy awesome source material, boy did Jami O’Brien deliver!! Her adaptation is fantastic!! HECK YEAH! She moved characters around like pawns on a chess board with delicious and fascinating precision. A change here and there while still holding true to the source material is what any television adaptation needs and O’Brien wastes no time proving her talents here. Plus, her vision intrigues me greatly because the avenues touched on in the novel and comics hold endless possibilities and it’s clear from her deviation that she was more than interested in exploring ideas!! Though I’m saddened by the cancelation after only two seasons, I will never be sorry for seeing its magnificent exploration into this ever fascinating universe. Not to mention, it will always be MY Knife. For it led me to the novel and comics bringing about the love I didn’t even know I wanted. Or dare I say, for all their evil intents and purposes, NEEDED! *WINK*

​Welcome back kiddies! I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of this three-part series where I offered up some peppermint twists (*WINK*) for Charlie and his Wraith along with my own theories on the dynamics of their… um… jolly (LOL!) relationship. This time we’ll DRIVE a little deeper into some of the concepts offered in this diabolically evil world. All of which are well worth a look!! For our purposes, I’ll focus primarily on the television series. Adapted by Jami O’Brien (Fear the Walking Dead, Hell on Wheels), her vision brings a much appreciated presents (HAHAHA, pun intended!!) to Joe Hill’s creations with beautiful precision while adding a few new delectably sinful elements along the way. HECK YEAH!! So, join me on a little sleigh ride through Strong Creatives, Knives and Inscapes, won’t you?   

Across the festive feast of all three platforms – novel, comics and television – Strong Creatives are the main entrée if you will. For they are the reason it all exists. Each with their exceptional gifts, none like the other, we are immediately drawn to this world and fall deeper with each new entry. Even the term sparks thoughts of inquisitive complexity. For me, it describes something supernatural that I could spend endless hours trying to understand. It’s esoteric and occultish and I LOVE IT!!
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Yet, so far, when discussing Strong Creatives, I’ve spent extensive, and well deserved time, on Charlie Manx (Zachary Quinto). However, the others strung throughout are equally as intoxicating. Including Charlie’s nemesis, Vic McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings). Also known as “Brat”, her tough kid exterior carries over from youth to adulthood and Cummings plays this role perfectly!! We also get to meet a past love turned enemy towards Charlie named Jolene July (Judith Roberts) who uses her gift to fight Manx and actually dies in the process. *SIGH* She’s a lovely character deviation from the novel who offers insight on Charlie that’s key to the series as a whole – how to defeat him!! Oh, and we mustn’t forget Maggie Leigh (Jahkara Smith), the proverbial sidekick and sounding board for Vic. Each damaged by life in their own way, Vic and Maggie are an excellent duo. Especially on screen!! There’s also The Hourglass Man (AKA: Jonathan Beckett) played by Paul Schneider. Who, like Jolene, is also a completely new character to this realm. He’s handsome yet ruthless. Plus, he’s the one who explains to Maggie how to beat the debilitating power of using their gifts. It’s a small scene that carries a lot of weight. For it’s in these words that a Strong Creative must decide who they really are since using your gift comes with a price. Do you hurt others or hurt yourself? For Maggie, unquestionably, the answer is herself. Vic and Jolene too. Look at these bad ass Ladies go… NICE!! Beckett on the other hand seems absolutely content with hurting others. To say nothing of Manx, along with Abe (Reg Rogers) and a whole host of other Strong Creatives at the Parnassus bar. BASTARDS!! There’s even a small mention of someone called The Backwards Man, which, I must admit sounds intriguing AF… LOL!! Ever appealing these Strong Creatives are!! Plus, many on screen are new additions from the novel which is awesome! Thanks Jami and crew!! But none of them would be able to do what they do, good or bad, without their Knives!!

Similar to Charlie, I’ve discussed his Knife – The Wraith – in considerable detail. For it is, after all, the title of the 7 part limited comic series (LOL!!). And its signature license plate is used for the novel and TV series as well. I’ve offered plenty of theories on this car. Including Joe Hill’s possible tribute to his father’s ghostly car Christine (Columbia Pictures; 1983), which as far as I know, is just a fan theory at this point. But looking at it ONLY as a Knife, it’s beautiful. A classic 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith, just like the comics of the same name, was also a limited edition. VERY COOL!! Not to mention the words creepy AND elegant come to mind immediately. Then there’s Vic, who like Manx, uses items in motion as a means for her gift. From her bicycle in the novel to her motorcycles in both the novel and TV series, Vic seems drawn to her Knives by a force unseen. We also see Jolene who uses Roller Skates in her youth (Morgan Lindholm) and a Wheelchair in her elder years as her Knives. So basically, something that moves takes you to your Inscape, right? You’d certainly think that upon first glance, but then we see a trickier side that feels more mysterious. Let’s discuss.
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Knives, seem to take on a form that’s needed for the Strong Creative. What’s particularly neat is the fact they can be just about anything and always compliment their owner and the gift they possess. Exactly how a Strong Creative is matched with a Knife is a bit of a mystery. Though I do postulate that Charlie’s Wraith sought him out, not the other way around. THAT CAR IS PURE EVIL I TELL YA… LOL!! My chills for the Wraith aside (LOL!), whether conjured, summoned, or simply envisioned, Knives are fracking fantastic. Not sure I could think of a better word for something that pierces, slices or cuts through the veil between worlds. It’s on the nose without being ridiculous or comical. And it’s beyond cool that none of them are ACTUALLY Knives… LOL!! Take Maggie Leigh’s Scrabble Bag. HOLY COW, this is one hell of an otherworldly-like feature, am I right?!? The special effects are simple and eerie and the purple velvet matches the highlights in Maggie’s hair making it even more personal. Plus, instead of a commonly used prop in the supernatural realm, like bones or ruins, her bag contains Scrabble Tiles. GOD… I LOVE THIS!! Using them as the opening sequence letters for each episode is a creepy and fascinating touch as well. NEAT!! Then there’s Beckett’s aptly named Hourglass which allows him to manipulate time and control people. YIKES!! However, no matter how unique the Knife, where it takes its user is the most captivating of all!

The wonderful world of Inscapes is quite literally the most confusing part of the greater NOS4A2 creation. Simply because, via the combination of a Strong Creative and their Knife, the veil between actual reality and the imagination are pierced. But if you leave the questions surrounding its existence behind, you’ll fall in love with the tales within. And for horror fans who like mind boggling twists of fright over chopping off limbs, inside lies mouthwatering evil that will make your skin crawl in all the right and horrific ways you’re looking for!! HECK YEAH!! Christmasland, in all its twinkling glory (LOL!), is the prime example here. GEEZ… there’s just something about Christmas malintent that’s crazy good, no? Shudders galore!! And, via Screen Rant, it’s recently been likened to another spine tingling favorite – the Upside Down in The Duffer Brothers monster hit Stranger Things (Netflix; 2016). NICE!! However, just as the same article suggests I agree more with the similarities to the Pennywise Circus from Stephen King’s IT (Viking; 1986). WHOA!! I FRACKING HATE CLOWNS!! With a passion… LOL!! Regardless, Pennywise has been ingrained in horror culture since his debut and rightfully so. Now, with his tie to the world of NOS4A2 which shows his Circus on Charlie’s United Inscapes of America (LOL!!) map (1.01: ‘The Shorter Way’) and the painted demon himself in the bar (1.08: ‘Parnassus’), I am much more intrigued due to this collision of worlds. Including the Lovecraft Keyhole from the comic series Locke & Key (IDW Publishing; 2008), which also appears on the map. Further, unlike my unconfirmed theory on Hill’s Christine homage, this one is concrete AF and it’s glorious!! There’s also The Empty Forest, creepy Abe’s Inscape and The Tree House of the Mind from Hill's novel, Horns (William Morrow; 2010). Both of which we really know nothing about which makes speculation all the more delicious.

On the flip side, similar to Santa’s naughty and nice list (*WINK*), other Inscapes, at the behest of their users, offer information and help. At least as far as we can tell through the television series and source material. Like Maggie’s Scrabble Bag or Vic’s Shorter Way Bridge. But it’s without question that they can also be used to work forces against Manx. Like Jolene’s Dark Tunnels used to astral project to Parnassus.  Beyond that, little detail is known. Good versus evil is really all we got. I have often wondered if the concept of nothing but static for the Top Hat that swallows Agnes Claiborne in the comics would extend inside Maggie’s Scrabble Bag. That is, if one could actually climb through. Just exactly what is her Inscape anyways? Does Maggie’s hand reach into a static filled void? It’s not on Charlie’s map so where is it? It’s certainly interesting to ponder! And what about the tradeoff for using this magic? Vic has migraines and often looks like her eye is about to pop out. Maggie has a stutter and seizures. While Jolene appeared to lose… what? Lifeforce? Years? At this point, only Maggie seems to get a handle on hurting herself and cigarette burns sound absolutely horrible. OUCH!!

Still, as much as I love these ladies, it makes so much sense that other damaged and broken people would turn to the malicious hurting of others over themselves, right? It’s all a twisted form of escape. Even for the good guys!! Hill himself says: “I have this notion that people need to escape their everyday lives almost as badly as they need food and drink. It’s very close to a basic need. And Vic yearns for a way out even more than most of us: she has so much she wants to leave behind.” This insight speaks volumes to Hill’s perception of life and how he uses it in his work. And for that, it makes me love the small few that would fight the temptation to harm others over themselves all the more!! NICE!!   

Well kids, there you have it. A deeper look into the NOS4A2 world. When looking at Strong Creatives, Knives and Inscapes, even without words from the creator himself, it’s easy to see the entire thing revolves around something we all crave – escape! It just so happens this particular escape is laced with monstrously addictive evil… LOL!! But every time I indulge, more questions arise. Like, what makes this entire New England area a haven for all these Inscapes? Are there more stretched across the U.S.? The Globe? I mean… Maggie is all the way in Iowa and Charlie himself, takes his St. Nick’s Parkway to and from Colorado. And Vic seems to be able to go just about anywhere with her Bridge obviously making her a hot commodity to either side of the fight. Overall, I’ve mostly concluded that this is Hill’s way of tying his work to that of his father’s. Of which, there are many links. But, I also like to think that Hill is simply fascinated with stories inside stories. This is evident across all three platforms and I’ve most definitely mentioned it before. He’s wonderful at tying worlds together with even the simplest of Easter Eggs leaving the fans foaming like Cujo (Viking Press; 1981) for more… LOL!! Besides, he’s just like me. He grew up watching his father’s work adapted into movies and TV. Why wouldn’t he want to pay homage while connecting said work to new and excitingly evil tales? Regardless of his reasons, I’m overjoyed to have been introduced to this world, particularly visually via the comics and television series, and I can (AND WILL) speculate on all its origins and avenues for years to come!

See you next week as I unwrap the final gift in my series with some more thoughts on a list of beloved stand outs and why in Part 3: Character Favorites. While you wait, head on over to our Collections page and check out other NOS4A2 themed works. Until next time.

Welcome back my friends to yet another one of my expeditions into the delectably evil world of NOS4A2. This time, we’re going to drift (*WINK*) through a three-part series allowing us to take a closer look at themes and characters across the comics, novel and television series. Of course, I’ll be sprinkling in my own deviant theories along the way because… DUH!! LOL!

If you’re late to this jolly journey (LOL!), feel free to slide down the chimney (WEEE!) into NTG’s very own NOS4A2 Collections page where you can catch up on recaps, reviews and discussions across all three platforms. If you’ve been following along you know that we ended with the final volume in the 7-part limited comic The Wraith: Welcome to Christmasland (Nov 2013; IDW Publishing) designed to be a prequel to the NOS4A2 novel (April 2013; William Morrow and Company). It’s here that I concluded Charlie’s Wraith is a bit more sentient than once imagined. And it’s with this in mind that I’d like to DRIVE into Part 1: Charlie and His Wraith.

If you’re at all a vampire fan like myself, no matter which platform you start with, meeting Charlie Manx is an unforgettable encounter. Mostly since as far as vamps go, Manx offers quite a different take on the genre as a whole. Similar to most vampires, he ages when not fed. He has long fingernails and sharp teeth. He’s over 100 years old and he has a creepy yet seductive presence. Especially in the flesh! Bravo, Zachary Quinto!!! Nevertheless, as you get to know this character, it’s easy to see that he’s NOTHING like the vampires we’re used to. For Charlie – rather than blood – survives on souls. And though this type of vampire can be found in the genre, it’s rather rare when compared to their blood sucking cousins. Still, Manx stands out for other reasons as well. Namely because he’s in no way a self-proclaimed vampire. In fact, Charlie TRULY believes he’s saving the children he kidnaps. That he’s providing eternal happiness to these suffering youngsters while serving up justice to the parents who wronged them. I mean… the whole idea sounds appealing, no? But, once you actually see these dirty, blood stained, spiked teethed creatures, and realize their cold black little eyes are nothing but windows to immortal, soulless killers, it’s obvious that Manx is the REAL monster. However, even above his self-righteous… um… save the children (LOL!!) nature, it’s the Christmas background that REALLY sets Charlie apart.

Similar to soul sucking, Christmas themed tales are not exclusive to NOS4A2. Which, by itself is just hilariously odd… HAHAHA!! Christmasland however? Now that’s definitely new!! And this original concept is brightly decorated (LOL!!) with so much evil, even Krampus would cringe. Not to mention, all of it comes from Charlie’s imagination, which has been building since childhood… YIKES! From his horrible mother to his overbearing wife Cassandra, Charlie ends up hating women and basically grown-ups in general. In his eyes, women are usually dirty whores who make men and children suffer. As little girls, his daughters are perfect! And in his attempt to truly make them happy he’s fooled by the con man Tommy Porter (AKA: Nick LeMarc) into believing in Christmasland. Once the scheme is revealed, Charlie changes forever and the ACTUAL Christmasland is born, albeit housed in fantasy. Honestly, if you think too hard about this, you’ll get lost… LOL!! But don’t worry, we’ll visit this notion in Part 2. For now, it’s important to understand that Charlie could’ve fashioned virtually anything with his imagination, but his go to, was a Christmas themed playland and it’s scary AF… LOL!! And though the origin of it all begins in Charlie’s childhood when he discovers his Christmas sleigh as his first Knife, it’s arguably the Wraith that allows his true villain to emerge. Let’s discuss, shall we?
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As if Charles Talent Manx III isn’t disturbing enough on his own (RIGHT!?!), once paired with the Wraith, he becomes virtually unstoppable. That is, until he tangles with the likes of one Victoria McQueen! God, I love her!! But even above Charlie, the Wraith seems to be quite the anchor in all three mediums. And as the comic hints, it’s also more alive than the novel or television series explores. Because even though we find out the Wraith is obviously tied to Charlie’s life, overall, it’s implied that Charlie is the one in control. As evidenced in Season 1, Episode 5: ‘The Wraith’. As soon as Maggie Leigh (Jahkara Smith) touches the door handle, Manx is alerted to her presence. And from inside the bus station no less. WHOA!! The car then, presumably under Manx’s influence, runs Maggie over. Geez, I remember the first time I watched this. I screamed seeing one of my new favorite characters struck down. You?? At the time, I overlooked the detail that Manx has no idea who Maggie is, let alone her name, until she touches the Wraith. However, after more thought, I believe this could very well imply that anyone who touches the Wraith lends something about themselves to the car’s consciousness. The information is then transferred to Manx and the car then drives at his command. Or so Manx thinks! Interesting, no? And the comics go even further to support my theory. For, Volume 7 seems to be told from the perspective of the Wraith itself. NICE!! A detail that isn’t truly evident until the end. Weaving the threads of Charlie’s backstory to that of the con man Tommy Porter makes for one hell of a diabolical tale!! Yet, this final volume stands alone, not only in its narration, but in its artistic style and speech when compared to the other 6 in the lot. This too supports the idea that the Wraith is a conscious being. If not, at the very least, possessed. And one hell of a storyteller too… LOL!!

Within, we learn that this limited-edition Rolls Royce comes to Manx “for cheap” when a family man uses it to suffocate himself right along with his wife and children (WOW!) after his investments with Tommy bankrupt him. This is where my theories ramp up to full speed… LOL!! Was the car already alive at this point, or did these deaths infuse it with some sort of demonic possession making it hungry for more? Maybe a combination of both? If so, Joe Hill’s creation might very well be the ultimate homage to his father’s haunted car Christine (1983; Viking Press). HECK YEAH!! Plus, both the book and the television series may potentially be toying with ghostly ideas since they appear to Wayne McQueen (Jason David) during his journey to Christmasland. In the book, it’s his grandmother and in the TV series, it’s Craig Harrison (Dalton Harrod). Both of which try to get Wayne to fight being turned by remembering who he is. It’s odd that these ghosts can cross realms solely via the Wraith! Or, at least as far as we know, right!?!

Also in the TV series, Cassandra’s entity(??) remains locked in Christmasland and by extension, a corner of Charlie’s mind. She’s not able to leave because she is in fact, dead. There’s no Christmas ornament holding a little piece of her soul at the Sleigh House. And speaking of the Sleigh House, the ornaments are a fun detail. And if by fun, you agree they're a totally hellish and disturbing detail, then yes… LOL!! Especially since they are the key, in both the book and the series, to FULLY restoring the children and must be crushed to do so. I see this as a subtle statement regarding the fact that one’s soul may not always be tied to their humanity. Because Wayne clearly exists outside Christmasland in both the novel and series but isn’t made whole until his ornament is destroyed. He sits basically half turned and missing something, right!? I conclude that the ornaments hold a human part of a soul which it NEEDS, or evil will take over. YEP, that sounds about right… LOL!!
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Of course, these are just my theories, but they are intriguing, none the less, right?!? I mean… what if the car has always had a thirst for death but realized Charlie’s gifts would EASILY provide it with all it ever wanted… forever!?! What if Charlie was the first one the Wraith turned? And now, it manipulates him into bringing it more souls by playing to his love (and loss) of innocence? WHOA!! I mean, wouldn’t this be a much faster way to get souls than wading through car auctions and owners… LOL!?! Whether any of this is true or not, it’s abundantly clear to me that the Wraith isn’t just an extension of Charlie. Plus, as far as only taking children. This doesn’t fully appear to be true since Charlie, or depending on your point of view, the Wraith, actually turns Tommy’s wife Lew. Charlie assumes it’s because she was a child at heart, but maybe the Wraith WANTED her! It’s a small but odd connection. Yet, considering Charlie’s spiteful wife Cassandra didn’t change on the drive to Christmasland, but rather died at the hands of her turned daughters, it’s a connection worth considering. And just like the rest, bone-chillingly eerie!

Overall, it’s clear that neither Charlie or the Wraith would be who or what they are without the other. Two halves of the same coin!! Each growing hungrier as the years go on. Each disrupted in their depravity by Vic McQueen. Each seeking revenge on her by taking Wayne. But maybe… just maybe… the car WANTED to turn Vic and use her Strong Creative abilities to find lost souls for it to devour. Charlie wanted to pair with Vic. So, why not the Wraith? It’s certainly interesting to think about. In fact, for me, I can unquestionably entertain that this 1938 classic car, having sensed Charlie’s abilities, sought him out. And in doing so, is actually running the show by tying itself to Charlie and using his gifts to feed. This would make the Wraith the REAL soul sucking vampire and Charlie merely its puppet, right?!? Geez… it’s all so candy cane twisted (LOL!!), it’s hard to tell and for that, I love it all the more!! Just like Christmas kiddies, there’s plenty to unwrap!! *WINK*

See you next week for Part 2: Strong Creatives, Knives and Inscapes.