- The Ghostkeeper
- Written & Illustrated by Johanna Taylor
- Letters by Micah Meyers
- Penguin Random House Publications
Perfect for fans of everything from Lockwood & Co. to The Haunting of Hill House, this gothic graphic novel follows a young medium with the gift—or curse, as some might say—to communicate with the dead. This ghost story “powerfully, tenderly, and empathetically examines death, grief, and the afterlife” raved Kirkus in a starred review!
Dorian Leith can see ghosts. Not only that, he listens to their problems and tries to help them move on to the afterlife. It’s a gift that’s made him an outcast to everyone in town. That is except for his dearly departed grandmother, who he’s partnered with to turn this paranormal ability into an honest living, and the local bookshop owner, who seems to be the only non-deceased person willing to give him a chance. But it’s all worth it to Dorian, who feels like he’s been given a bigger purpose. A chance to save those who cannot save themselves.
Then one day, the key to Death’s Door is stolen, trapping all the ghosts in the land of the living. Since he’s only one who can see them, the spirits rely on Dorian to retrieve the key before it is too late. If they can’t move on, they’ll soon be consumed by a ghostly rot that has begun to plague them.
As it continues to fester and spread, and the ghosts become desperate for relief, Dorian must do whatever it takes to find a way to bring peace to the restless dead—even if that peace comes at the cost of his own….
Hey, thanks for stopping by. Just sitting here on a quiet Saturday morning, drinking a cup of coffee and catching up on some reading… There’s an argument to be made that The Ghostkeeper, by Johanna Taylor, could go better with tea, or maybe hot cocoa, but we are who we are.
A thought that kinda brings me right back around to the book I’m reading…
The Ghostkeeper really is an easy-to-read book. Nothing is heavy-handed, no dark and brooding characters lurking in shadows as Taylor tells the story of her title character. Dorian Leith is a good guy, doing the best he can with his “ghost eye”, bringing what peace can be found to both the living and the dead. Maybe more for the dead, because as some of you might be aware, the living can be self-centered jerks who can’t- or won’t- see anything that doesn’t fit into their narrowed view. In that regard, Taylor’s book is a light look at death, life, and everything in between.
The Ghostkeeper’s art fits the writing perfectly, with panels slipping from bright colors to gothic grays to suit the tone of the moment. There’s just enough detail to give the work an animated look, which makes some sense as Johanna Taylor also works as an animator. Handling the writing along with the illustration puts her alongside a list of creators like Frank Cho and Stjepan Šejić, able to take both aspects of the creative process and make some magic happen.
I’d be slipping if I didn’t make sure I pointed out that the lettering by Micah Meyers has nailed it. There’s a fine line between plain, boring balloons full of words, and way over-the-top pop & flash. The fact is that there have been otherwise good comics that I’ve given up on because the lettering threatened to make my ears bleed. Meyers sticks the landing here, using simple ideas to differentiate the living from the dead, without creating a migraine-inducing visual cacophany.
The Ghostkeeper is a great choice for anyone just looking for a nice read, entertaining its audience while covering themes of empathy, grief, and family (the one you’re born into and the one you find). There are layers a casual might not expect from the book’s unassuming look, & more than enough to keep the detail-minded thinking.
Final Score: 11/13
