“All My Friends Are Ghosts” is a middle grade graphic novel about the struggle to accept who you are, and helping others do the same. It’s also a thrilling, fun story featuring a cast of entertaining ghostly characters. Read on to hear more about S.M. Vidaurri and Hannah Krieger’s new graphic novel.
Written by S.M. Vidaurri
Illustrated by Hannah Krieger
Colored by Hannah Krieger with S.M. Vidaurri
Lettered by MIke Fiorentino
Effie runs away from home and discovers a ghost school in the nearby woods. But just as she’s beginning to learn all about the amazing things that ghosts can do — like possession, poltergeist-ing, demon magic and more — Effie is asked by her new friends to help track down a mysterious spirit that’s been spotted. But if Effie’s going to succeed, she’ll not only have to show her friends that she’s got something special, but also learn to believe she’s got it too. Eisner Award-winning writer S.M. Vidaurri (Iron; Or The War After, Steven Universe) and artist Hannah Krieger (Psychic Mansion) present a new original graphic novel about discovering what makes you special and helping others be seen for who they are.
The first thing, and the number one thing you will keep noticing, as you read “All My Friends Are Ghosts” is the way Hannah Krieger shows the characters emotions. The art is cartoony, but in the best meaning of that word. Everything is big, important, the way things feel as a child, without feeling like they’re overdone or overblown.
It’s important to know what our main character, Effie, is feeling, because so much of the book is spent with her. She starts the book feeling ostracized from her school and her peers, with only her writing keeping her company. From a mean teacher to a too busy mom, Effie feels alone in more ways than one.
These are some of the moments that Krieger’s art is really able to shine. She’s able to do a lot with an expression. Even though this is a book for kids, this isn’t a story that talks down to the reader. Much of the story is left to the expression on Effie’s face. It’s a testament to how well Krieger has illustrated this story that it feels so clear how Effie is feeling in every moment. It doesn’t need to be spelled out, because the art is allowed to work on its own.
Though Effie feels ostracized by her peers, it’s clear that she also doesn’t fully understand how her actions affect others. “All My Friends Are Ghosts” is a story about Effie learning how to process her own feelings and appreciate the feelings of others. It’s a hard lesson, to realize that just because you’re feeling upset, that doesn’t mean they way you treat others doesn’t matter. But, without any sort of support at the beginning of this story, Effie isn’t able to figure out how to control her own feelings, let alone realize how she’s effecting others around her. It’s at this point in the story that Effie runs off into the forest near here school.
It’s here that “All My Friends Are Ghosts” really takes off. Effie meets a group of young ghosts fighting an out of control spirit, and quickly becomes their friends. These ghosts then take Effie to their school, Minourghasts Middle School for Wandering Spirits. If this sounds a bit like Hogwarts but with ghosts, that’s because it is. But even though it’s not the most original premise, it does allow “All My Friends Are Ghosts” to tap into the particular genre of mystical schools without getting too bogged down by it. The story does spend some time at Minourghasts, but more than anything else, it’s about what this school means to Effie.
One of the smartest moves in the book is the use of colored word balloons by letterer Mike Fiorentino. This choice gives each of the four main characters their own color, all fitting with the color palette of the rest of the book. It’s a great, simple device that allows all four characters to be constantly chattering with one another, the way kids do, without forcing all four character to be in panel at all times. It’s a simple, elegant choice that easily solves what could have been a source for confusion, especially in the moments of action.
These moments of action, as drawn by Krieger, are really well done. There is a liveliness to the lines, a frantic quality to the moments where the action picks up. The lines get a bit starchier, the colors brighter. But while these moments are exciting, you also never loose sight of how Effie is feeling. As much as her work shines in the moments of quiet, the way Krieger brings out the emotion on every character’s face is especially able to shine during any action scenes. It helps sell these moments, especially where Effie is concerned.
“All My Friends Are Ghosts” is a really fun story. It’s deals with weighty themes, but without ever feeling bogged down by them. For a story that deals with feelings of isolation and being useless, it never feels like those things are inescapable. Along with being a very pretty book, “All My Friends Are Ghosts” is one with a lot of heart. Definitely check it out.
