Spoilers Ahead
Initial Thoughts
12 Foot Skeleton is the latest story from duo writer Aaron Campbell and Tim Seeley, where an actual 12-foot Halloween decoration comes to life and terrorizes a small town during trick-or-treating. The story centers on two fish-out-of-water kids, Lola and Jimmy, who aren't having the greatest time at school. Add Halloween night to the mix, and you have the early makings of a solid horror book. Trust me, the first 99% doesn't seem very horror-esque, but the final panel will have you raising your eyebrows in a pleasant surprise—if you are a horror fan. I have a nagging suspicion that the rest of the series will be bloodier.
This Halloween story from Campbell, Seeley, and Templesmith is well-structured, laying a strong foundation for what comes next and establishing a lived-in, alive world. The story blends American and Mexican “Halloween” traditions, melding cultures and bringing a dynamic story to life. But that doesn't make the story predictable. Far from it, actually. The layered intricacies of this first issue of 12 Foot Skeleton will keep us interested throughout its run. This was a great read for the time of year, and it will be fun to revisit on future Halloweens.
These Bullies Are Brutal
The first issue of 12 Foot Skeleton did a tremendous job of creating the world we'll explore over the next few issues. Jimmy and Lola immediately became relatable characters, or at least ones we can empathize with, and the story draws a clear line between them and the antagonists. The bullies in this issue were really freaking mean, turned up to 11. What do you mean they were picking on Jimmy because he had cancer? That is some real evil stuff. Also, the dad of one of the bullies, the one spread out like garland during Christmas, was a real prick too. I think there's more to him as we move forward with this series.
Two main threads unraveled in 12 Foot Skeleton #1: We learn about our disenfranchised main characters, one new to school and the other sick with cancer, and a literal 12-foot Halloween skeleton came to life, looking pretty bloodthirsty. Those angles will be very interesting to see over the next few issues, and I already have some specific predictions for how that will happen. For now, half the fun is the mystery of how that skeleton came to life, who it is, and who made it come to life. It's fitting that the monster is the Halloween decoration the bullies knocked down. Foreshadowing?
This Thing is About to Get Brutal
Two parts of this book spoke to me. One is a scene, and the other is a particular idea. First, the very last panel of the book, a father of one of the bullies shown in a disturbing way, was a complete 180-degree change of pace from the other 99% of the book. It was a shock to the system, but in a good way. To me, that's a small preview of the violence we are about to see in the rest of the series. I loved that we waited so long for the story's brutality, because the reveal felt like whiplash when I saw the aftermath.
The second aspect of this book that caught my eye was its Día de los Muertos element. In Mexican culture, Día de los Muertos isn't a day to fear; it is a time to remember your roots and loved ones. That is where I think the story ultimately ends up. I think we will find out that the 12 Foot Skeleton is Jimmy’s father. The book gives us context clues at the very start, and I think this is the big payoff.
Both work very well for two different reasons, and I love how the book makes them work without being disrespectful.
The Art Feels like Halloween
Ben Templesmith's art and coloring FEELS like Halloween. The world feels like a crisp, cold October night, exactly how Halloween should feel; sorry to those who don't experience fall. I can almost see my breath leave my mouth and nose as I read this book. I can hear the crunch of the orange leaves as I walk through the neighborhood. Templesmith is famous for his work on 30 Days of Night, and his mastery of horror makes this world feel scary, even though the story doesn't reach that level until the very end. The art transports me to a very specific time of the year, and I love that from Templesmith.
Templesmith's color choices were also methodical and purposeful. By the time the kids get off the bus, the day is already gone. Unless they are getting dropped off at 7 p.m., the sun should still be out; however, Templesmith’s coloring sets the vibe of a dark world that will not see the sun for a long while. If this story spans days, it will be interesting to see how Templesmith interprets time passing without the sun. But if this story takes place over the night, the sun's return in the final issue will be worth waiting for.
The art has a fantastic indie style that still packs a punch and adds to the storytelling.
Final Thoughts
12 Foot Skeleton #1 was the perfect starter issue, with an interesting story and premise. The feeling this book gave me while reading it is a major reason why I love Halloween and the start of fall. Campbell and Seeley blend humor, suspense, and just enough horror to keep you reading, with enough breadcrumbs to keep you interested for the rest of the series. We only got a small taste of this book's brutality, but it was enough to get you excited for the rest of the series. At its heart, 12 Foot Skeleton #1 was a story about kids trying to make the best of a bad situation.