Specter Inspectors

Specter Inspectors #1-5

by Bowen McCurdy (Illustrator), Kaitlyn Musto, Jim Campbell (Letterer)

True believer Noa, her cynical little sibling Gus, credulous camera man Ko, and sceptical Astrid head to one of the most haunted towns in America to prove that ghosts exist, for all the social media likes!

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE… ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

True believer Noa, her cynical little sibling Gus, credulous cameraman Ko, and sceptical Astrid head to one of the most haunted towns in America to prove that ghosts exist, for all the social media likes!

The investigations of hauntings uncover something more devilish than just a couple of ghosts, something that will put Noa and Astrid’s relationship to the test… and reveal the centuries-old sinister secrets of the town itself.

Bowen McCurdy (The Long Way Home) & rising star Kaitlyn Musto introduce the Spector Inspectors, everyone’s favourite new internet sensations who live that Scooby Doo life chasin’ ghosts!

Collects Specter Inspectors #1-5.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Young Adult, Fantasy, LGBT, Mystery

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 19, 2021

Reviews

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really precious and spooky and fun! I loved the queer rep, loved the demon (I'm such a sucker for demons being primary characters with actual personalities beyond just "evil, grrr"), and the twist was really fun. The art is super pretty and I loved each of the main characters SO much! I'll definitely be grabbing a finished copy of this one for my collection. ♥

✨ Representation: Noa and Astrid are queer/sapphic; Gus uses they/them pronouns

✨ Content warnings for: demonic possession, murder, cults, interactions with a deceased child's ghost (no details on the child's death)

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!

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[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A team of ghost hunters get trapped in the world's most haunted town when one of them gets possessed by a demon. Now they need to figure out what happened to the demon to trap it here in order to get it to release their friend. There's also a sweet queer romance within. I really liked this.

[rachel, x · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally found the Scooby Doo-esque graphic novel of my dreams!

This was unapologetically queer and funny. It was surprisingly slow-paced but well-rounded and filled to the brim with some of my favourite paranormal tropes. Also, the art is gorgeous.

▷ Representation: Noa & Astrid (mcs) are sapphic; Gus (sc) is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph

[anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

rep: sapphic mcs, nonbinary mc

the levels of creepiness vs. the found family are absolutely perfect

[Danika at The Lesbrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because reviews made it sound like a queer ghost hunting graphic novel with Scooby Doo vibes, and it lived up to that! This follows Noa and her fellow ghost hunters as they investigate one of the most haunted towns in America for their online paranormal investigation show. Despite never before finding anything paranormal, that hasn’t shaken Noa’s beliefs, even if everyone else in the group is less of a believer. In Cape Grace, though, things quickly get out of hand: one of them gets possessed by a demon. Together, they’ll have to unearth the hidden history of the town and the demon if they want to save Astrid. This is another fun, Halloween-y read, which a few more scary moments than Hollow. Like Hollow, this also has a budding F/F romance between two of our investigators. It also has a nonbinary side character. (Gus, Noa’s younger sibling.) Content warning for child death (off page).

Full review at the Lesbrary.

[charlotte, · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rep: sapphic mcs, nonbinary mc

[Kadi P · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC probably tomorrow...

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billed as a queer Scooby-Doo, this comic follows the ghost hunters The Specter Inspectors. It delivers on its promise. Our intrepid investigators include an empath and a demonic host, a non-binary teenager, and a scaredy-cat cameraman. The relationships among all the characters are sweet, but the sapphic love story between our true believer and resident skeptic really shines through.

I loved the spooky vibes with hauntings, a demon, and a cult gracing the pages. It stops short of being genuinely scary, drawing on fun and the feel-good human element to keep things cozy. The art is stunning, showcasing the characters and their emotions to the fullest, capturing ambience, comedy, and the supernatural throughout. I would follow this mystery-solving gang into any creepy encounter, and I hope there is more where this came from.

[Emily Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spooky possessed / ghost hunting sapphics? I’m in.

I’ll be rereading this on Halloween and I’m so glad I finally grabbed this one.

The art? Perfection.
The haunted vibes? Perfection.
The gay pining??? I AM SCREAMING

It’s been a while since I found a graphic novel that I’ve fallen in love with but this was everything.

It’s autumnal pallets & vibes and is cosy as hell (well, as cosy as haunted stories can be.)

Rep// BIPOC sapphic MC, White sapphic MC. Relationship is sapphic.

TW’s listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.





Tw//CW// fires (graphic but contains no gore) death, possession, threat of death, haunting/ paranormal themes.

[Elinor]

this is everything i need in my life aka queer scooby doo gang

[Roy =^, ,^= · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ★

Sí, me lo leí nomás porque las protas se parecen a Luz y Amity, ¿Y QUÉ? 🗣️⁉️

Pero bueno, la verdad sí me gustó, mucho.
Es ligero, cuenta una historia interesante y entretenida, tiene buen sentido del humor, las relaciones entre los personajes me hicieron sentir bonito en el corazón, y el arte está hermoso.
VIVAN LAS NOVIAS.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this was the perfect combination of story and art!

I really enjoyed the paranormal and sort of horror aspects in this story. It definitely had its creepy moments.

But I also really loved the friendship and found family aspects. I could not put this story down.
And I definitely need to buy a copy for myself to read over and over again!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[livv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[eva ⚘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

re-reading it felt like meeting an old friend,, i love this comic so freakin much ❤️

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally none of this made sense.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, I liked this one so much, so lets round it up to a 4.5.

[katabaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

why are 15 y/o kids so relatable wtf

[Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun little graphic novel.

I really enjoyed the supernatural aspect and how it was handled. The relationships were easy to follow, despite being plopped down in the middle of everything, and the developments felt natural.

Overall, I'll definitely be reading other volumes, if they're going to make more.

[nao ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me leí un cómic de 5 caps solo porque las protas dan ciertas vibes de Luz y Amity? Si y no me arrepiento.

Vivan las novias en todos los universos 😭


4.5/5 ⭐️


FUE RE LINDO Y LIGERO, DEFINITIVAMENTE NECESITO MÁS DE LA HISTORIA Y XDIOS EL ARTE ES PRECIOSO 💕

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

SQUEEEEEEEEE! Can I please get more of these guys? Please? This volume was tons of fun! I thought it was just going to be ghost hunting but OH NO. We get some sweet romance between two girls (ship ship ship), there is a demon in one of the girls bodies who has plans (but is he really good or is he bad?), there is also something else wandering around with black eyes (yep, there we go, spooky shit), and there is more. It was just so much fun and I laughed, cheered, was spooked out, scared out of my wits, and more. This was a rollercoaster! I got an ecopy but I definitely have to get a real copy as well!
Fantastic art!
Also the flu? Doesn't make you crawl up on ceilings (though it would be so cool). XD

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *

GAH I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! The art is so beautiful and creepy. The story gives me Paranorman vibes in the best possible way. And it's just so flipping good! It follows a group of young people filming their supernatural phenomenon show who get more than they bargained for when they unlock the creepy demon secrets of a small town. Books like this are why I love comics and graphic novels. They take an interesting story and turn it into something greater than the sum of its parts. I'm a big fan of BOOM! titles already and this cemented that for me. I can't think of anything else to say without spoiling things but I just really liked this a lot and I think y'all should check it out!

[Heather Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this is an amazing new series that's way sweeter (and deeper) than it's fun and silly title would suggest. I ADORED these ghost hunter characters, including the budding relationship bewteen central sapphic couple Noa and Astrid, the sweet and slightly gormless cameraman Ko, and Noa's younger, slightly snarky nonbinary sibling Gus. It's all great stuff, and while the ending 'resolution' might be a bit quick and pat for some, it works well in context. There's some great horror in here as well, including a semi-cooperative demon and a truly horrifying villain. (The art helps tremendously here--it pivots between gorgeous and outright terrifying at the end, and it's always immaculately executed.) I can't WAIT to read more in this series, and to secure a physical copy. (Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.)

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like Ghost shows? In this graphic novel, we follow a group of 5 teens who are using social media to broadcast their ghost hunt! Noa is a believer and the host of the ghost show they are broadcasting. It all starts out well until their skeptical friend Astrid starts acting not like herself. Noa is concerned and is realizing something more sinister is happening. Find out what has Astrid in its clutches!

Highly recommended for those who like spooky fun fast paced graphic novels. This graphic novel is also available on Hoopla as an ebook.


Reviewed by: Miss Nessa, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very cute and creepy! Imagine sort of Nancy Drew or Scooby Doo meets Emily Carroll, with a sweet queer romance. The art is gorgeous, and the horror images are both gorgeously rendered and genuinely scary. The characters are college-age or above, but this would be appropriate for (not too easily spooked) middle schoolers, especially given the sweet ending. Although this definitely could (and hopefully will) continue, this first volume works well as a stand-alone too.

[Lee Fr · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok now this one truly slaps. it has everything- instantly loveable characters, truly cool mystery that keeps you guessing, on-point humour and incredibly gorgeous artwork to depict all of it. would honestly love to continue to follow these adorable characters' journey in further installments shame it didn't get the hype it really deserves (hence my rating even tho it isn't perfect and definitely has room for improvement just wish more people would read it)

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very charming, quirky comic! Fresh take on the ghost hunting/Scooby Doo-esque characters and adventure. The art style was lovely and I felt the story as a whole was solid. Great lgbt representation, as well as mental health.

Check this out if you like a fun, spooky, and fast paced comic/story. I certainly hope we can see this crew of misfits take on another case!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this! Diverse LGBTQ and non-binary characters, a fun and not too spooky plot, and lovely art and colouring. When I finished I wanted more and I hope the Specter Inspectors will find another case to investigate!

[sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

as much as i love heavy vinyl, specter inspectors may be rivaling it as my favorite graphic novel series. this was SO good it’s literally insane. i may be purchasing a comixology or kindle subscription just so i can read the other volumes lol

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it! This fun, little mystery features a cast of queer characters investigating supernatural goings-on. The artwork is very pleasing to the eye and makes for an enjoyable experience. The target audience is likely the youngest of teens.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

bought this for my stepson for his birthday but had to sneak a read in, too. beautiful artwork and very creepy! I just wish it had a little more focus on the ghost hunting aspect (why I bought it) but that's ok.