Nerds That Geek Comic Book Review – ‘The Halloween Girl – Vol. 1: Promises to Keep’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There was a time in storytelling, where creative minds were locked into a particular path with their ideas. For instance, if a writer put together an idea that someone believed would only work on television, then that would be the route the story would take and all the writer could hope for, was enough season renewals to finish telling their tale, and the same went for film franchises and novels and so forth. Because back in the day, creativity was often shoehorned and pigeonholed into specific formats because so many producers and movers were of the opinion that audiences couldn’t handle anything more complex than one format and thankfully, that’s a notion that has been proven wrong in the 21st Century.
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For audiences have now made it clear, that what they love is good storytelling and compelling characters and as long as they get that, they’ll flock to whatever format they can find it in and that’s allowed for creative minds to embrace every format imaginable to tell their stories and for proof, then look at what Marvel is doing via Disney+ or the adventure that Writer/Director Richard T. Wilson is embarking upon. For his incredibly popular horror franchise Under the Flowers, which encompasses characters from The Halloween Girl, is now expanding into new territory as well. For Richard recently released a comic iteration of this saga entitled The Halloween Girl – Vol 1: Promises to Keep, and we here at Nerds That Geek definitely need to spotlight this, because it is so supremely special.

Partly, because of the stunning art present in this comic book. Since artist Stephen Mullan simply creates a visual vibe. One that is both eerie and eclectic. For there are beautiful shadows in Stephen’s work, and wonderful visual surprises. The kind that quite frankly, allow for this comic book to play out in a cinematic manner and that in turn only helps to engross the reader into this experience and the wonder of this comic, doesn’t end there. Because the story is just as powerful and just as engrossing, since it expands upon everything that Richard has created within his vision thus far and it is also quite wonderful to spend time with Charlotte once again and understand her drive and desire to fight the evil that is trying to take hold of the afterlife.

But while those elements do indeed make this comic a fulfilling read, there are two key elements that truly allow for it to shine. Such as the fact that it feels like an organic extension of the Flowers/Halloween Girl franchise, since other characters from this universe drop by and that really does immerse you within the story and compel you to continue it. But above all, it’s the scares that make this worthwhile. For Wilson is a master of creating an unsettling mood in his work, and he accomplishes that here as well. Because Charlotte’s quest to save a little boy is uneasy to say the least and the payoff of that is the outright stuff of nightmares, making it clear that the comic book format will allow for Richard to push the envelope with his own story and take it to places it has never gone before.

Which makes this a must read for certain. In large part because this is an indie comic and these days, indie comics are where it is at, but more so because… it features a damn good story. One that not only pulls you into its web, but preys upon your darkest and deepest fears. Which is of course, what the best horror stories out there do, and this is indeed one that unfolds akin to a waking nightmare, one from which it seems neither Charlotte or the reader will escape from, and Richard deserves a round of applause for not only hammering home the fact that good stories transcend format… but for assembling a delightfully scary story that leaves you hungry for more. And if we’ve done enough to pique your curiosity, then swing by Amazon and give this tale of terror a look when you have a chance, you’ll be glad you did.

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