In IDW’s A Haunted Girl, Life is Never Easy When Considering the Nightmares Cleo Sees….

IDW Publishing

Life has not been the same for Cleo Newman ever since she claims she can see dead people. In A Haunted Girl #2, this young teenager will have to be careful about whom she tells about her visions as she attempts to reintegrate back into society and school. In the first issue, readers find her in the hospital, recovering. She attempted suicide as she could not cope with her life; And in the latest chapter, readers get a glimpse at why her world became what it is.

Following her sports injury, nothing has been the same. As a result, she’d rather let the days wither away, instead of thinking that maybe she should find a new sport or hobby to enjoy. Her father (a single parent) is trying his best to motivate, but when these spirits show up, either they’re holding her back or she’s part of a prophecy which still has to reveal itself.

If they are indeed manifestations of her fears, the phantasms that appear to waver from the foreboding to outright scary! Writers Ethan and Naomi Sacks are no doubt drawing from personal experience in their study on what it’s like to feel depressed. And as for what they see, it’ll be different for everyone. They draw from the tapestry of Japanese urban myth in this take, and Marco Lorenzana is great at realising it! The J-horror elements look omniscient and I’m willing to bet Grandma knows something that won’t be revealed until the next issue!

In the meantime, I assume the white stag may well be Cleo’s protector like in Harry Potter (a patronus) and the woman spectre, a Yuki-onna, may well be a dementor! They may not simply be manifestations of her fears. Just what they represent to her isn’t meant to be immediately defined upon reading the first half of this mini-series, and although I have my guesses, I can’t say for certain if I’m correct or not.

Regarding what’s known so far, this young lady has a lot to confront if she’s to wake up. It isn’t easy when not everyone believes she sees dead people, and while this story isn’t The Sixth Sense, perhaps what’s still to come will be just as revolutionary. A happy ending is expected, or at least a resolution that can not only encourage readers to seek counselling too. This comic is based on the creator’s own battles with depression, and to end each issue with a page to say help is a phone call away is sometimes all the encouragement anyone needs.

Author: Ed Sum

I'm a freelance videographer and entertainment journalist (Absolute Underground Magazine, Two Hungry Blokes, and Otaku no Culture) with a wide range of interests. From archaeology to popular culture to paranormal studies, there's no stone unturned. Digging for the past and embracing "The Future" is my mantra. View all posts by Ed Sum