I just read all four issues of Spectregraph and I’ve got thoughts. Big, haunted, glowing thoughts.

Spectregraph
Publisher: DSTLRY
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Christian Ward
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Release date: April 2024 – December 2024

The series is written by James Tynion IV, and if you’ve followed us for a while, you already know how much we love his work. From Something Is Killing the Children to The Deviant, W0rldtr33, Exquisite Corpses, and Wynd, we grab anything with his name on it. The art is by Christian Ward, who delivers some truly incredible pages here. His work in Black Bolt already impressed us, but Spectregraph feels like he’s unlocked something new. The colors, the scale, the weird and wonderful visuals – it’s all elevated even more by the oversized magazine format, which makes this book a treat to hold and look at.

Janie Chase is a real estate agent sent to show an unusual mansion on the edge of town. It’s a long drive and she’s distracted (she even forgot her baby at home) but this job seems important. The house? Not your average listing. It’s a giant mechanical machine filled with strange rooms, creepy architecture, and something deeper tied to the occult. Soon after she arrives, her contact (the assistant of the rich buyers) suddenly attacks her. When she wakes up, they’re both trapped. Ghosts roam the halls, and the house seems to want something. With nowhere to go and no help coming, the two of them must unravel what’s really going on and whether they can escape before becoming just another part of the house.

We were already intrigued when we saw a preview of Spectregraph in The Devil’s Cut, DSTLRY’s first book that was out in August 2023, and picking up the full series was a no-brainer. Right away, the tone hits you. It’s creepy, stylish, and full of mystery. The ghosts are terrifying. One of them has its guts out and it’s still burned into our brains. 

What really surprised me though was how much time the story gives to the characters. We really got into Janie’s journey. We learn about her relationship with her ex-girlfriend and see her guilt and fear play out in very real ways. She’s not just a scared person in a haunted house. She’s a mom and she’s doing her best. And the assistant? She’s not just some villain. Her story caught us off guard in a good way. The deeper we got into the series, the more attached we became to both of them. The ending was powerful. Without spoiling anything, it brought everything together and gave us a resolution that was actually satisfying, and a bit shocking. The visuals carried so much of the emotion too. Christian Ward’s art is perfect for this type of horror: full of glowing colors, twisted spaces, and an atmosphere that pulls you in.

Spectregraph is definitely a unique experience. It’s unsettling, emotional, beautifully made, and worth revisiting. I’m really happy we got the hardcover edition (check out our video about it here!) because this one deserves a spot on the shelf.