What do you think?
Rate this book
The Backstagers: 2018 Halloween Intermission #1
With the days getting shorter and the nights getting SPOOKIER, the Backstagers are back for the Halloween season with all-new tales of terrors and creepy creatures. When Sasha accidentally falls asleep backstage, he ends up locked in the theater overnight! What lurks in the shadows, what terrors will he discover, and what the heck are the stage managers chanting? From writers James Tynion IV (Detective Comics, The Woods) and Sam Johns (The Valentines Intermission), and artist Rian Sygh (Adventure Time Fionna and Cake Card Wars, Regular Show), this haunted oversized one-act is a night at the theater you won’t want to miss! With back-up stories from artists Shan Murphy, Abby Howard, and Savanna Ganucheau this spine-tingling tale of the stage will leave you with goosebumps you can see from the back row!
44 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2018
2 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
James Tynion IV
1,663 books2,018 followersPrior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.
Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.
Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 3, 2019
This short comic is an addition to the backstagers’ volumes. The main story was cute, especially Sasha and the way he saved the day. It was also very nice to see all the other characters. The only thing is that they didn't really show us the backstage as they usually do and this was kind of a disappointment for me.
August 7, 2024
A few years ago, I picked up the first issue of The Backstagers. Honestly, my memory of it is a bit fuzzy, except for the fact that I appreciated the representation woven throughout the comic. The stories this time around were undeniably cute, but unfortunately, they didn't spark in me a strong desire to continue with the series.
October 25, 2018
I really love the Backstagers. While I desperately wish for more issues in the main series, I’ll take the seasonal issues that they’ve been giving us. It’s better than nothing! Plus maybe if the sales are good enough we’ll get more? A girl can hope.
My favorite part about this issue had to be the questions raised about Tim and Jamie, the Stage Managers. It’s one of those things where if you don’t pay attention to the details (like the writing in the corners that help establish the setting – say a certain time period) then you’d totally miss it. As it was I had to double back and confirm that I had things right. Not that confirming that fact really cleared things up. Actually, it made things quite a bit more confusing. That’s the magic of the backstage though, I suppose.
Everything revolves around the lore specific to this theater. Frankly, I’m surprised that they only have one ‘big bad’ that they’re concerned about on Halloween. Granted there are 364 other days for the rest of the beasties to choose from, and not all of them seem concerned with getting out of the back rooms…but I digress.
This was a fun and relatively light read, even when considering the major revelation/confusion about the Stage Managers. The conclusion may have been a bit sillier than normal, but in an endearing sort of way. That will probably make more sense when you read it. Thankfully everyone was as cute as I remembered, and while it was nice to read about them again, it did make me miss the series that much more.
My favorite part about this issue had to be the questions raised about Tim and Jamie, the Stage Managers. It’s one of those things where if you don’t pay attention to the details (like the writing in the corners that help establish the setting – say a certain time period) then you’d totally miss it. As it was I had to double back and confirm that I had things right. Not that confirming that fact really cleared things up. Actually, it made things quite a bit more confusing. That’s the magic of the backstage though, I suppose.
Everything revolves around the lore specific to this theater. Frankly, I’m surprised that they only have one ‘big bad’ that they’re concerned about on Halloween. Granted there are 364 other days for the rest of the beasties to choose from, and not all of them seem concerned with getting out of the back rooms…but I digress.
This was a fun and relatively light read, even when considering the major revelation/confusion about the Stage Managers. The conclusion may have been a bit sillier than normal, but in an endearing sort of way. That will probably make more sense when you read it. Thankfully everyone was as cute as I remembered, and while it was nice to read about them again, it did make me miss the series that much more.
Read
January 7, 2019I love this series so much, and the latest holiday installment was just as delightful, silly, funny, magical, and mega queer as all the rest. I love the art, I love the magic, I love how deeply and openly the stage crew books care for and about each other. This is my go-to gift for all the young boys in my life, because it's the most perfect balm (in book form) against toxic masculinity that I know. I really enjoyed the magic in this one especially.
September 1, 2019
While I love The Backstagers storyline this one really didn't quite make the cut I felt like it missed out on being a great addition. I thought that it being a Halloween installment that it was going to pack a punch that it was going to be eerie, dark and just a bit unpredictable and it did not deliver. I thought that the first volumen I read had more dark moments that this one. I also thought that the side stories didn't add much to the whole of it and the artwork looked a bit odd.
December 14, 2018
This is probably an unpopular opinion but I’m not fond of Sasha. It could totally be because I’m 28 and hardened by the world and Sasha’s sunny outlook and disposition get them into trouble too often. But I loved this little intermission! I just discovered this series this year so its fun to get more stories every now and then since it’s over. I especially like the little “moral of the story” aspects at the end.
May 3, 2019
3.75 stars
These are some of the most wholesome Halloween stories I've ever seen! Only docking points off for the artwork on the handful of ending shorts. I appreciate the thought of having these characters drawn by other artists, but a few of them were a little rough. Everything else about the main story was solid though. I would've rated this higher if the intermission was focused only on Sasha's story. That was hands down the cutest one in the bunch.
These are some of the most wholesome Halloween stories I've ever seen! Only docking points off for the artwork on the handful of ending shorts. I appreciate the thought of having these characters drawn by other artists, but a few of them were a little rough. Everything else about the main story was solid though. I would've rated this higher if the intermission was focused only on Sasha's story. That was hands down the cutest one in the bunch.
December 31, 2019
As usual Sasha is stupidly adorable, and this was a cute little story about Halloween and monsters not being as scary as clowns that take off their makeup.
I don't have much else to say about this book, except that it was nice to see all of these characters again because I'm never quite sure if this series is still going or not until the next book comes out.
I don't have much else to say about this book, except that it was nice to see all of these characters again because I'm never quite sure if this series is still going or not until the next book comes out.
February 3, 2019
This was a really cute intermission I'm surprised I didn't know about until now.
Mostly happy that we got a bit of a flashback to the stage managers. I want their background story so bad. I don't even know why. The romance. The adventures. I want to see it.
Mostly happy that we got a bit of a flashback to the stage managers. I want their background story so bad. I don't even know why. The romance. The adventures. I want to see it.
December 7, 2019
I was a little nervous about this one since Sasha isn't my favorite character, but this was so cute.
Full review on my blog.
Full review on my blog.
November 3, 2018
I loved the main story that reinforces Sasha's worldview. The other short stories we're also delightful and gave us a peek into more of the crew's lives.
December 19, 2018
The main story was cute with the art we all love!
The other stories though, didn't do much for me. The characters were kinda ooc, and, for example, the tool rats looked wrong.
The other stories though, didn't do much for me. The characters were kinda ooc, and, for example, the tool rats looked wrong.
January 3, 2019
The scariest most adorable thing EVER.
I think I'm supposed to like Sasha, but man, I really really don't. Otherwise, I love these kids so damn much.
I think I'm supposed to like Sasha, but man, I really really don't. Otherwise, I love these kids so damn much.
January 5, 2019
I LOVE MY BOYS
January 21, 2019
Cute, these seasonal check-ins are a nice way to tide me over between installments!
April 3, 2019
I (always) love these kids; but I especially love this storyline on which Sasha's optimism, kindness, and earnestness get the hero status they deserve.
September 9, 2019
Cute and funny.
The side stories are just okay. A bit basic and lacking the classy artwork of the main.
The side stories are just okay. A bit basic and lacking the classy artwork of the main.
October 30, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
Read
April 18, 2021I talk about my thoughts on this graphic novel in this BookTube video.
February 11, 2023
Cute and fun and queer like all the other comics
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews