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Welcome to Christmasland #1
The Wraith: Welcome To Christmasland #1
Joe Hill's New York Times Bestselling novel, NOS4A2, introduced readers to the terrifying funhouse world of Christmasland, and the mad man who rules there: Charlie Talent Manx III. Now, in an original new comic miniseries, Hill throws wide the candy cane gates to tell a standalone story that is at once both accessible to new readers, and sure to delight fans of the book.
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2013
6 people are currently reading
1387 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
506 books30k followersJoe Hill's debut, Heart-Shaped Box, won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His second, Horns, was made into a film freakfest starring Daniel Radcliffe. His other novels include NOS4A2, and his #1 New York Times Best-Seller, The Fireman... which was also the winner of a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Novel.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 11, 2021
"Si puedes soñar con algo, entonces tiene cierta especie de realidad en tus pensamientos.
Si sueñas con la suficiente intensidad y tienes el vehículo adecuado, un vehículo que ama realmente y que es parte de ti, puedes escaparte de la realidad y colarte en ese otro mundo imaginario, donde la única realidad es la que tu permites"
El primer Issue de esta novela grafica esta dividida en dos partes: Un prólogo, que sirve a modo de precuela e introducción no solo de esta lectura en cuestión, si no también e la novela NOS4A2. Donde somos espectadores del pasado de Charlie Manx, desde que era tan solo un niño. Y como y porque se termina gestando "El Monstruo". Su desgracia, su maldad y sus motivaciones
. Luego, tiene lugar una historia paralela, que se entrecruza con las implicaciones de Manx en el presente,Donde unos convictos intentan fugarse durante un traslado y se topan en la carretera con el Rolls -Royce del 38 .
El prologo creo que aporta bastante a la historia original, la termina de redondear. Y en cuanto a los acontecimientos presentes son prometedores.
El arte me pareció genial, y se destaca mucho mas aun, cuando hacen sus apariciones Manx, sus pequeñas criaturas y Christmatland.
Si sueñas con la suficiente intensidad y tienes el vehículo adecuado, un vehículo que ama realmente y que es parte de ti, puedes escaparte de la realidad y colarte en ese otro mundo imaginario, donde la única realidad es la que tu permites"
El primer Issue de esta novela grafica esta dividida en dos partes: Un prólogo, que sirve a modo de precuela e introducción no solo de esta lectura en cuestión, si no también e la novela NOS4A2. Donde somos espectadores del pasado de Charlie Manx, desde que era tan solo un niño. Y como y porque se termina gestando "El Monstruo". Su desgracia, su maldad y sus motivaciones
. Luego, tiene lugar una historia paralela, que se entrecruza con las implicaciones de Manx en el presente,Donde unos convictos intentan fugarse durante un traslado y se topan en la carretera con el Rolls -Royce del 38 .
El prologo creo que aporta bastante a la historia original, la termina de redondear. Y en cuanto a los acontecimientos presentes son prometedores.
El arte me pareció genial, y se destaca mucho mas aun, cuando hacen sus apariciones Manx, sus pequeñas criaturas y Christmatland.
March 30, 2023
Initial Thoughts
If you've been living under a rock you might not know that Joe Hill is the son of the most renowned of horror authors, Stephen King. In fact the reason he goes by that name was to ensure he succeeded on his own two feet without the added assistance of daddy's reputation. Credit to him because he has certainly done that, but not just with written novels but also those of the graphic variety. Most notably with Locke and Key.
Now if you asked me what my favourite book by this author is, and I've read all his books, I'd have to say the fantastic NOS4R2 (that's NOS4A2 for my American friends). It's a sprawling epic that follows the life of Vic McQueen, a girl who can access the land of the subconscious in a mind-blowing way, as she confronts the chilling villain of Charlie Manx. There's so many aspects that add up to make it such a memorable story but number one in my opinion, without question, was the antagonist. Like many villains, Manx is convinced he is doing a good deed by rescuing defenseless children. In reality he is harnessing his Rolls Royce Wraith to sap their life force and leave them soulless vampires before ditching them in the land created by his mind... Christmasland.
I had an absolute blast, but the story left me wanting more. While we got a full backstory for Vic, the mysterious figure of Manx was left unexplained. What in his past motivated him toward such evil intent and skewed his perception so drastically? So many questions left unanswered.
When I heard there was a series of comics focusing on the man himself I literally couldn't stop myself from grabbing a copy. Or buying my daughter one and then stealing it from her! After all, isn't that what children are for? Or stealing their life force if you ask Charlie Manx.
The Story
What were getting here essentially is an origins story as Hill delves into the past of our favourite bad guy. It's set in the world of NOS4R2 and begins when little Charlie is just a child and it's certainly not sunshine and roses for him. It's grim, dark and pretty shocking. Just what I love, and by the end I was in no doubt as to why he had warped into the twisted monster that had captured my black heart.
There's some fantastic behind the scenes moments for those that enjoyed the original tale. We learn of some influential figures in Manx's past, the background with his family and the story behind Christmasland. There's a hell of a lot packed into these thirty darkly beautiful pages.
The Art
With this being a graphic novel, you can't finish without talking about the artwork...and it is awesome. It's a nightmare blend of an old school Christmas story and a brutal horror movie. And it was amazing to see the characters finally brought to life. I couldn't get enough of the stuff.
It had a really gritty quality that fit perfectly with the spirit of the novel, providing a visual treat that made a definite impact on me. A shock to the system that you just don't get with a normal book. There's a lot of words compared to a standard comic, as it's very plot heavy, but the pictures on their own tell the story and it's deeply unsettling. The artist, Charles Wilson III, and Hill seem to complement each other perfectly and theirs a real synergy in the finished article.
Final Thoughts
So my recommendation is that if you loved the original NOS4R2 then you need to read this. Right now! I mean it, stop reading this review and go order yourself a copy.
What I will say is that although this is a prequel, I'd definitely read the novel first as it'll have much more of an impact if you do it that way. I certainly wouldn't have had the same level of enjoyment as it gave me a better understanding of the dynamics at play.
I honestly don't think I've had quite this much fun with thirty pages since I was thirteen and found that magazine stashed under my dad's mattress. Those were the days! And I'm now thirsty for more, although wondering what could be in the next issue as this one seemed to have it all. Only one way to find out.
Thanks for reading and...cheers!
November 15, 2013
When I finished NOS4A2 I was saddened that there were no more pages to this incredibly master-crafted story that Joe Hill had written. Almost everything Joe writes scoops you up and whirlwinds you away into dark thrilling places- and once that journey and taste of adventure is over it always leaves you hungry for a little bit more. So when this comic was announced I was excited to get another chance to jump back into Manx's Wraith and be carried off for some delicious second helpings of NOS4A2. This issue, first of the limited series published by IDW, gives us a peek into Charlie Manx's past and makes sure that the concepts ('inscapes', namely) introduced in it's parent novel are re-explained so that it can stand on it's own two feet if this is the readers first visit to Christmasland. For readers returning to this world, it's a chilling return back to the backseat of Manx's wraith and it's almost as if first issue is a way of driving us back into the story. The artwork and coloring are stunning and really give it the creepy icing on top of Joe's well-written cake. I can't wait to see what's along the road in #2, especially since it will be coming out around Christmas.
January 2, 2014
Bloody disturbing and yet oddly fascinating, what a great graphic novel from Joe Hill! The illustrations are dark and gruesome, but what goes unsaid is even more disquieting than what we see and read on the pages. Quite an unforgettable reading experience.
July 26, 2014
4.5*
I'm taking a half star off for the ridiculously small writing. Some of the illustration panels could be enlarged to read the text but this was not consistent and it was worst in the initial few pages of the comic. I'm not sure where the issue lies, the publishers or the limitations of the kindle/kindle apps, I hope this gets fixed for future reads.
Other than that the story was great, I haven't read NOS4A2 yet and this didn't stop me enjoying the back story to Charlie Manx, going through his childhood until his initial arrival at Christmasland.
The illustrations were fantastic and apart from the difficulty in reading some of it I would recommend it.
I'm taking a half star off for the ridiculously small writing. Some of the illustration panels could be enlarged to read the text but this was not consistent and it was worst in the initial few pages of the comic. I'm not sure where the issue lies, the publishers or the limitations of the kindle/kindle apps, I hope this gets fixed for future reads.
Other than that the story was great, I haven't read NOS4A2 yet and this didn't stop me enjoying the back story to Charlie Manx, going through his childhood until his initial arrival at Christmasland.
The illustrations were fantastic and apart from the difficulty in reading some of it I would recommend it.
December 14, 2013
Wraith: Welcome to Christmasland is the prelude to Joe Hill’s NOS4A2, serving as an origin story for the antagonist Charles Talent Manx III, we see inside his mind and get a peek at what drove him to invent Christmasland and how he came by the Rolls-Royce Wraith, the door to open his delusional vision. If you’ve read NOS4A2 and were drawn in by this wonderfully charming yet sinister, layered character then you have to read this.
August 8, 2015
WUT! WUT! SHFSHKSUSVSVSHDHD. Motherfucking Hill at it again! arafahahsgshdhdj. That's it. my feelings about this are that strong. I can't even put them down well enough. Fucking reading the novel now. *twirls around in leaps and bounds*
December 18, 2017
Sooooooo I have no idea if I did this right or not. Was I supposed to read NOS 4A2 before reading the missing pages in graphic novel format? Answer I don't care!
This was incredible! So unbelievably dark! So unbelievably Joe Hill. So unbelievably unbelievable.
This book is so not for everybody. Be warned!
Now I read Jane Austen...
This was incredible! So unbelievably dark! So unbelievably Joe Hill. So unbelievably unbelievable.
This book is so not for everybody. Be warned!
Now I read Jane Austen...
October 24, 2021
Charlie is one of my favourite villains in a book and these look like they'll be a great addition to N0S4A2. Sometimes you never want a prequel to anything and sometimes a mystery is a good thing but so far so good.
June 12, 2015
"PROLOG: FANTOMS."
Charlie Manx has been a driver all his life, but for the longest time he's driven a Rolls Royce Wraith. Tonight, his passenger is a scared, crying young girl called Francine Flynn. To ease her nerves Charlie laments his tale to her. It goes something like this-- Charlie was raised in a one-whore town called Cripple Creek, incidentally his mother was that whore. His father died when Charlie was young. Charlie worked as a driver of a cart for the local mortuary, where he slept in coffins next to the dead. His mother took all his money, he had nothing in the way of toys except a Fantom. One day her mother fails to give a man who's paid for carnal services all he thinks he deserves and that man, dissatisfied, follows Charlie into the woods and forces Charlie to pay what his mother owes. After he's done violating Charlie, Charlie gets on his Fantom and rides down the snow slopes so fast, all he's thinking of is escape. He doesn't see the tree, when the man comes down to help, the gaping Snowmen decapitate him. Charlie on the other hand has glimpsed into what he calls the "Inscapes"
Charlie grows up, meets Cassandra, daughter to a rich man. They get married. Enjoy a life of luxury until Daddy's money goes burst when the stock market crashes. Charlie has to go back to a life of toil and constant vitriol from the missus. One day, while in town he meets, Nick leMarke, a prospective businessman who promises that with a one time investment of ten thousand dollars he can make Charlie a rich man for life. Nick is building an amusement park called Christmasland. Charlie takes a second mortgage on the house and farm. After a few weeks Nick invites the Manx family for the opening day. Charlie goes over to the dealership and buys The Wraith. He gets it for almost nothing because the previous owner killed his family and himself in the car. While on the journey to Christmasland, Charlie's daughters transform and devour his mother. On reaching the spot for Christmasland, they find out they've been conned, that there's no Christmasland, but Charlie's daughters implore him to keep on driving, and drive he does, going into the Inscapes and actually actualizing it from his thoughts. The daughters are ecstatic. They'll be happy forever.
After telling his tale, he turns to Francine and offers her happiness and Christmas in perpetuity if she'll only allow to part with her unhappiness. Francine, now transformed like his daughters were, asks, where's my ticket?
Charlie Manx has been a driver all his life, but for the longest time he's driven a Rolls Royce Wraith. Tonight, his passenger is a scared, crying young girl called Francine Flynn. To ease her nerves Charlie laments his tale to her. It goes something like this-- Charlie was raised in a one-whore town called Cripple Creek, incidentally his mother was that whore. His father died when Charlie was young. Charlie worked as a driver of a cart for the local mortuary, where he slept in coffins next to the dead. His mother took all his money, he had nothing in the way of toys except a Fantom. One day her mother fails to give a man who's paid for carnal services all he thinks he deserves and that man, dissatisfied, follows Charlie into the woods and forces Charlie to pay what his mother owes. After he's done violating Charlie, Charlie gets on his Fantom and rides down the snow slopes so fast, all he's thinking of is escape. He doesn't see the tree, when the man comes down to help, the gaping Snowmen decapitate him. Charlie on the other hand has glimpsed into what he calls the "Inscapes"
Charlie grows up, meets Cassandra, daughter to a rich man. They get married. Enjoy a life of luxury until Daddy's money goes burst when the stock market crashes. Charlie has to go back to a life of toil and constant vitriol from the missus. One day, while in town he meets, Nick leMarke, a prospective businessman who promises that with a one time investment of ten thousand dollars he can make Charlie a rich man for life. Nick is building an amusement park called Christmasland. Charlie takes a second mortgage on the house and farm. After a few weeks Nick invites the Manx family for the opening day. Charlie goes over to the dealership and buys The Wraith. He gets it for almost nothing because the previous owner killed his family and himself in the car. While on the journey to Christmasland, Charlie's daughters transform and devour his mother. On reaching the spot for Christmasland, they find out they've been conned, that there's no Christmasland, but Charlie's daughters implore him to keep on driving, and drive he does, going into the Inscapes and actually actualizing it from his thoughts. The daughters are ecstatic. They'll be happy forever.
After telling his tale, he turns to Francine and offers her happiness and Christmas in perpetuity if she'll only allow to part with her unhappiness. Francine, now transformed like his daughters were, asks, where's my ticket?
December 15, 2013
I would like to know when the next edition is coming out
April 7, 2014
Creepy as hell. The art and story play perfectly together. I will probably check out NOS4A2 after reading these comics.
December 29, 2021
I am definitely in the minority on this one but after being completely blown away by NOS4A2, this comic left me wanting.
The first chapter that explains Charlie Manx's origin was incredibly interesting as I spent a good portion of the novel wondering if his claims of abuse from his wife were genuine or not. However, when the story turned to following the convicts (among them Mr. Hansom), I lost interest. The plot felt like a survival horror, which is markedly different from the tone set in the novel. Knowing what we know, though - that no one has ever escaped from Christmasland - made the stakes seem non-existent for these characters.
Aside from the plot, the art in the story is gorgeous. Like the book, there are several scenes of gratuitous violence, and the illustrator captures the horror involved beautifully. The colors in many panels are muted, making a splash of blood leap off the page. Manx's design especially drew me in as he is drawn with every bit of grotesqueness that I envisioned when reading the book. The artwork and design for Christmasland was also pretty incredible, because it gave some clue in the decor that the amusement park is not the happy, joyous place that it might seem at first glance. Finally, the best design in the book, in my humble opinion, was that of Charlie's children. The creatures they turn into are terrifying monsters that also have a shadow of the innocence they entered the Wraith with.
Overall, this one was a bit of a bust for me, if only because I was hoping for a story about Charlie Manx and instead got stuck with a bunch of insane convicts. But still, the incredible artwork and the bits that were about Charlie were enough to keep me interested and reading to the end.
The first chapter that explains Charlie Manx's origin was incredibly interesting as I spent a good portion of the novel wondering if his claims of abuse from his wife were genuine or not. However, when the story turned to following the convicts (among them Mr. Hansom), I lost interest. The plot felt like a survival horror, which is markedly different from the tone set in the novel. Knowing what we know, though - that no one has ever escaped from Christmasland - made the stakes seem non-existent for these characters.
Aside from the plot, the art in the story is gorgeous. Like the book, there are several scenes of gratuitous violence, and the illustrator captures the horror involved beautifully. The colors in many panels are muted, making a splash of blood leap off the page. Manx's design especially drew me in as he is drawn with every bit of grotesqueness that I envisioned when reading the book. The artwork and design for Christmasland was also pretty incredible, because it gave some clue in the decor that the amusement park is not the happy, joyous place that it might seem at first glance. Finally, the best design in the book, in my humble opinion, was that of Charlie's children. The creatures they turn into are terrifying monsters that also have a shadow of the innocence they entered the Wraith with.
Overall, this one was a bit of a bust for me, if only because I was hoping for a story about Charlie Manx and instead got stuck with a bunch of insane convicts. But still, the incredible artwork and the bits that were about Charlie were enough to keep me interested and reading to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2017
Very creepy and disturbing. Recommend it if that's what you're looking for. Just be sure to have a feel-good story handy when you're getting ready to sleep. Because it's gonna stay with you.
May 31, 2019
The strength of a story is dependent on the villain, and this tale is essentially the backstory and "Start of Darkness" for the villain in the novel "NOS4A2".
January 2, 2022
The fact that this book was a comic made everything 10 times more gory, but the storyline was phenomenal.
March 11, 2022
Nice to be back in the world of Christmasland, the Wraith, NOS4A2 and Charlie Manx. I haven't read the book (yet) but am a mega fan of the TV show.
March 1, 2023
Originality is one of the features this series gifts the reader. It's creepy, dark and entertaining!
December 12, 2024
The artwork is great, although terribly disturbing. I'm not quite sure WHAT this is, but I gave it a shot anyway.
February 12, 2025
I read the other book {named different }like this and enjoyed it. This is another take on it, but still a good read. I do enjoy Joe Hill's writing and will continue reading his books.
August 25, 2025
I have as hardback, ebook from humble bundle and included in the Joe Hill Graphic Novel Collection
October 22, 2025
DNF at 28% Super hard to read as an ebook. Story related to NOS4A2 but too was all over the place. Not for me.
February 10, 2014
I'm not generally a comic book fan, but I LOVED N0S4A2, like unhealthily obsessed LOVE for that book, so I was definitely interested in learning more about Chalie Manx. I was NOT disappointed. Actually, I was disappointed, but only because the second issue wasn't immediately available to me to devour. Joe Hill hasn't let me down yet, and his creepy and atmospheric style is enhanced beyond my imagination by the gorgeous(and disgusting) illustration. Maybe I am a comic book/graphic novel fan, cause I couldn't stop myself from picking up Locke and Key when I found that The Wraith issue 2 wasn't available. Oh, Joe Hill. Look what you've done.
November 30, 2013
By far the best comic I have read this year! Joe Hill changes his comic-writing style a little on this issue - whereas he sports in all his other works a short yet accurate and precise writing style he goes in with a lot longer sentences this time. But that also gives some plus points, because you will not have read trough this issue in 5 minutes.
The story itself is exciting and once again driven by his comprehensible characters. The final glamour is given with the detailed artwork.
All in all, "The Wraith" is an eerie horror comic like you experience it way to rarely.
The story itself is exciting and once again driven by his comprehensible characters. The final glamour is given with the detailed artwork.
All in all, "The Wraith" is an eerie horror comic like you experience it way to rarely.
January 5, 2014
While searching to see if there were any great stories written by Joe Hill, I stumbled across this little jewel. Joe Hill is the man. His vision of what Charlie Manx and Christmasland look like are exactly the same as I had pictured when reading NOS4A2. A testament to his ability to write descriptive narrative.
Wraith #1 takes us back to Charlie's origins waaaaaaaaay back when he was a child through to his failed marriage and eventual collapse into another realm. A realm where the faces of carnivorous children are illuminated by shiny Xmas lights. The read was fast. Too fast. I want more.
Wraith #1 takes us back to Charlie's origins waaaaaaaaay back when he was a child through to his failed marriage and eventual collapse into another realm. A realm where the faces of carnivorous children are illuminated by shiny Xmas lights. The read was fast. Too fast. I want more.
June 3, 2014
I read NOS4A2 upon its publication, with glee, excitement, horror, and terror. It remains one of my lifetime favorites, as does its author. So I was delighted to revisit "Christmasland" from a new perspective. Every bit of the excitement, enticement, and sheer teeth-grinding, mind-bending horror continues to send readers reeling in THE WRAITH. Author Joe Hill cannot put a foot wrong--May this series continue!!
December 28, 2014
As horrific as expected, and finely served by the attention to character description, effective dialogue and downright cunning story build-up that one comes to expect of Joe Hill. Nothing amazing, at least not if you've already read NOS4A2, but it is a nice and creepy ride into the backstory of the main villain. I am a bit disappointed there wasn't more background about the car and such, but perhaps it will get there, or perhaps it shall remain a dark mystery.
October 17, 2017
I really should have read NOS4A2 first but I didn't realise that that the comic and the book were connected until after I finished the comic --___--
I have never been so creeped out in all my life not just visual the Charles Manx, but the violence he suffered as a child that stuff always makes me sick to my stomach I almost didn't finish reading the comic when I came to that part but I'm still keen to read more about Charles, Christmasland and how they are connected to Joe Hill's novel NOS4A2.
I have never been so creeped out in all my life not just visual the Charles Manx, but the violence he suffered as a child that stuff always makes me sick to my stomach I almost didn't finish reading the comic when I came to that part but I'm still keen to read more about Charles, Christmasland and how they are connected to Joe Hill's novel NOS4A2.
December 13, 2015
Even if your not the typical graphic novel reader I'd recommend picking up this series and diving in. Let yourself get caught up once again to those afternoons of lying around and reading comics, waiting anxiously for the next issue to come out, sharing with your friends.....and add in that this is the prequel to Joe Hill's NOS4A2 book...what more can you ask for. Except maybe more days and comics like this to relive the good old days.
January 2, 2014
An electrifying start to this story arc of comics that elucidate the backstory to NOS4A2 - one of 2013's best books. Charlie Manx comes alive on the page, thanks to the fascinating tale by Joe and the excellent illustrations by Charles 'Talent' Wilson. I can tell just from the first issue: This is going to be a bumpy ride!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews