31 Days of Halloween: Volume II – October 2026

It is the season again; Halloween 2026 is rapidly approaching like so much a jack-o’-lantern hurled by a headless horseman. One of my very first posts on hpkomics.com, as part of my website overhaul, was a collection of essays I wrote on Medium in 2024.

This was my first 31 Days of Halloween project; rather than just watching a daily horror film in October, I also decided to write an essay for each one, meaning 31 essays over 31 days. It was a large project, and I had enough material for a book that I never finished editing.

It was so nice I felt like doing it twice, hence 31 Days of Halloween: Volume II.

Why Do it Again?

By the final days of the original project, I was a bit cranky – it did begin to feel like a chore. It is a lot of writing and a pretty intense obligation. Why would I subject myself to that same sort of thing all over again? It’s a fair question.

Though it is rude of you to come here and question me. How dare you? Who do you think you are?

First, the challenge felt like an accomplishment and was very much a “win” for me as a writer, on a personal level. Yeah, it grew a little monotonous, but the result felt worth it to me. It was a feather in my cap during a dark period of my life.

Second, this project initially helped me to “let go” a bit. I tended to have a tendency then (and I am still fighting it today) to rewrite and edit material over and over and not release it. With this daily deadline for the project, that wouldn’t fly. I grew more comfortable with two-step drafts, with an initial draft and a single revision. That experience has helped me a lot with getting the regular fiction posts going here on the blog. Speaking of which…

Third, I need the shakeup. I have been struggling with the serialized fiction for the site these past few weeks; it’s getting monotonous – I love the work, but I need a break and need to step out of it a bit. That doesn’t mean I won’t be writing any Fang or Cosmic Dash in October, but I am going to shift gears and prioritize these essays.

Lastly, I just fucking love Halloween. It’s my favorite holiday, in my favorite season, and it almost serves as a reset button for me. I choose to indulge. On that note, all my essays for this project are posted under my Graphic Content column. It seems most fitting.

What’s on the List?

I have some ideas in mind, but for the most part, I want it to be as organic an experience as it was last time. I didn’t have any films locked in because part of the fun was just finding stuff on Tubi, Shudder, or what I could find in theaters. I am leaning toward more of that.

With that said, first, here are the films I had tackled last time:

1. WNUF Halloween Special (2013)
2. House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
3. The Devil’s Rejects (2005)
4. The Unbinding (2023)
5. 3 From Hell (2019)
6. Night of the Living Dead (1990)
7. The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
8. Mad God (2021)
9. Candyman (1992)
10. Terrifier (2016)
11. Zombeavers (2014)
12. I Saw the TV Glow (2024)
13. Lord of Illusions (1995)
14. Fright Night (1985)
15. The Call of Cthulhu (2005)
16. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
17. Alien (1979)
18. Terrifier 2 (2022)
19. V/H/S/Beyond (2024)
20. Friday the 13th (1980)
21. It Follows (2014)
22. The House of the Devil (2009)
23. The Blob (1958)
24. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
25. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
26. Salem’s Lot (2024)
27. The Evil Dead (1981)
28. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)
29. Mystery Science Theater 3000: Werewolf (1996/1998)
30. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
31. Halloween (1978)

I don’t intend to repeat any, but some films are just tradition for me, and I can always find another analytical angle for them.

With that said, I do have a few things I expect to cover. Remember, these are not reviews. These are analytical writings based on the films or themes that I see emerge.

My current plans include writing about the complete Halloween multiverse – the Thorn trilogy, the recent reboot sequel era, Halloween III (again, deal with it). All of them. I already wrote essays on the original and Halloween III last time, but I can always write more and am perfectly content to do so. Additionally, I believe I am going to cover It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, as it is 31 Days of Halloween, not just horror. But beyond these concepts, there are plenty of options to choose from; almost too many. This is where you come in.

How You Can Help

Ultimately, there are two things I would like from you if you are reading this. The first is suggestions for movies. If you can also propose an angle or a question about it, that is even better. I am content to find my own point or entry, but if something sparks my interest in your suggestions, I would much prefer to run with that. So please, comment here with some initial suggestions and on successive posts as they emerge throughout the month. Speaking of posts, let’s talk about my second request.

Second, I ask that you share or boost the essays as I release them. Come into the comments and feel free to challenge me on my approach or ask follow-up questions. Critique me and judge how effective I was. This process is a tough one; I speak from some experience on that, after all. Trust me, reader engagement becomes vital for getting through the process after 15 essays. Even the friction of disagreement really means a lot.

With that, expect the first essay on October 1st. See you soon, reader.