Dark Horse Review: Stranger Things Halloween Special

Review:  Stranger Things Halloween Special

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Michael Moreci

Artist: Todor Hristov

Letters: Nate Piekos of BLAMBOT®

Colors: Chris O’Halloran

Reviewed by: Carl Bryan

Summary

“My Mom tells scarier stories than that!” – Will

Positives

Michael Moreci weaves a prequel tale that is a fan’s delight for anyone who watched the series.  It reminds the reader/viewer of the simpler times these kids enjoyed prior to Eleven, Hawkins Lab, and Dr. Brenner.

It’s everything you want in using familiar characters (the bike escape scene is classic for these kids) and a situation they thrive in.  At least in the artist depictions, they don’t grow up.  So the prequel is more believable.

It also plays on the distrust of kids and adults in authority as did every 1980s era movie from that decade.  

Todor Hristov (The Forever Maps, Soul Trader) and Chris O’Halloran (Ice Cream Man, Immortal Hulk) work together really well in that the character art is on point and the characters in the comic look like the actors who portray them.

Arguably, it is a really great intro to anyone wishing to look at the series and could be perfect for younger readers.  But they will never gather in groups of four or eight again…..

Negatives 

The art can be “cloudy” at times and the book reads like a script, but Moreci portrays Will and his older brother Jonathan’s relationship perfectly.  So for a prequel, it is spot on.  We know these characters and know where they are headed, so it is a safe spot for any plot development.

Verdict

If you are waiting on the third season, this is a good appetizer.  It’s adult enough for the Stranger Things fan who needs something to get them over the hump, but it is kid enough to appreciate a Halloween tale this time of year!  Happy Reading!