Ghostly Graphic Novels

Ghost stories have always been a part of traditional human storytelling. As a way to explain life after life and provide comfort with the idea of an opportunity to communicate with loved ones who have passed, ghost stories remain popular even as our storytelling mediums have evolved. Today, we are even treated to graphic novels that feature ghosts. From humorous tales to poignant fantasies to scary stories, ghostly graphic novels can be just as varied as the long history of ghost stories. Check out these graphic novels for teens and adults at your library.

Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks
Starting high school is tough enough, but it’s even tougher when all you’ve known is homeschooling. And it’s even worse when you’re haunted by the ghost of a sailor’s widow. It may sound bizarre, but this is Maggie’s reality. Maggie has her brothers for protection, but hardly any friends and her mother is missing. High school should be a breeze, right?

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol
Anya’s life is not ideal. As a Russian immigrant, even after years in America, she’s an outsider. Her little brother is pretty annoying. She’s not doing well in school. And now she’s fallen down a well. At the bottom of the well may just be an opportunity in the form of a ghost named Emily. With Emily’s help, Anya’s situation begins to improve. But when it comes time to reciprocate and Anya discovers more about Emily, she’s not so sure being friends with a ghost is a great idea.

Sheets by Brenna Thummler 
At thirteen, Marjorie already has life down to a pretty mundane routine. School, her family’s laundromat, and Mr. Saubertuck is scheming to ruin everything. But a ghost named Wendell is about to shake everything up. With Marjorie’s world turned upside down thanks to Wendell trying to build an afterlife for himself, maybe the boredom of her life wasn’t so bad after all.

The Agony House by Cherie Priest and Tara O'Connor
After taking some time to recover after Hurricane Katrina, Denise and her family have moved back to New Orleans. The new house isn’t so new, though. Falling apart, the house is nothing more than old and decrepit, it seems at first. But as occurrences and strangeness increase, Denise can’t deny there’s more to the house’s story than old boards. When she finds an old comic book in the attic, things start to come together. Now, she must heed the warnings if she and her family are going to survive in this part novel, part graphic novel.

The Canterville Ghost by Seán Michael Wilson, Clive Brant, Steve Bryant, and Oscar Wilde 
Gothic meets humor in this graphic retelling of Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost.” When an American family moves into an English estate, the ghost that resides there is none too pleased. Hijinks abound as the family gets on with living in their new mansion and the ghostly Sir Simon gets on with not living. Resting in peace has never been more difficult for the living nor the dead.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds and Danica Novgorodoff
Grieving his dead brother, Will is at a crossroads and that crossroads happens to be in an elevator. In his neighborhood, revenge is guaranteed. But can Will go through with it? Confronted with ghosts from his past who have opinions of their own in the short span of an elevator ride, Will is faced with a choice that will change his life path forever. (Based on Reynolds' award-winning novel, available in a variety of formats.)

Archival Quality by Ivy Noelle Weir and Steenz
At the Logan Museum, Cel is looking forward to a new beginning following a mental breakdown at her last job. Logan Museum might be more interesting than Cel bargained for. There are living accommodations for staff, she’s scheduled for strange hours, and she’s pretty sure there’s more to the job than she’s been led to believe. Things only get stranger from there, and before long, Cel is starting to question her own sanity as she gets to know someone who may or may not be real.

I Date Dead People by Anne Kerns and Janina Görrissen
Nora may be a teen, but she is beyond her own years with her love of Jane Austen and her cozy ways -- and now, her boyfriend. Tom is a ghost who lost his human form a hundred years ago and has since been trapped in Nora’s family’s Victorian house. But there are other ghostly residents who aren’t so keen on Nora and Tom’s relationship. Whether Nora and Tom are strong enough to face it all is up to them.