A Haunted Girl: A Horror Series Inspired By Mental Health Struggles From Father-Daughter Duo Ethan Sacks & Naomi Sacks

A Haunted Girl: A Horror Series Inspired By Mental Health Struggles From Father-Daughter Duo Ethan Sacks & Naomi Sacks

Image Comics‘ Syzygy imprint is launching a new four-part miniseries called A Haunted Girl this Fall. It’s written and illustrated by the dad-daughter duo of writer and illustrator Ethan Sacks and artist Naomi Sacks and art by Marco Lorenzana. A supernatural and real-life horror that explores the fear and anxiety that comes with living with depression.

The story follows Cleo, who has just been released from the hospital and is trying to get back to her normal life. But when she begins to encounter ghosts, she starts to wonder if she’s losing her mind or if something worse could be going on. A Haunted Girl #1 will feature a main cover by acclaimed artist Joe Quesada and colorist Richard Isanove. Variant covers will include art by Fico Ossio, Ryusei Yamada, as well as a variant by Quesada.

A Haunted Girl‘s full description reads:

Cleo, a 16-year-old adopted Japanese-American whose anxiety and depression drives her to suicidal thoughts, is fresh out of the hospital and trying unsuccessfully to reintegrate back into her old life. What she doesn’t know is that her struggles are just beginning as she finds herself encountering an increasingly terrifying succession of ghosts. Is she losing her grip on reality… or is the explanation much, much worse?

Ethan Sacks shares that the idea was born during a difficult time for his daughter, saying:

“Four years ago, while my daughter was hospitalized, I came up with the idea of a story about a girl who’s battling depression and finds out she’s the sole hope to save the world. That she would find a way to endure and to save everyone she loves. It was meant to be uplifting and cathartic. Now four years later, my daughter is in a place where she could help write that story. To inspire others going through similar struggles. As a father, I’m proud.  As a comic book writer, I’m inspired. As a human being, I’m moved.” 

Naomi Sacks added:

“I’ve always loved writing. And with A HAUNTED GIRL there was a chance for me to work on a story that is very personal. Cleo, the main character, goes through a lot of the same struggles that I did and feels hopeless at many times as I did. But that she perseveres is inspirational to me, too. “ 

Be a part of this inspirational tale when A Haunted Girl #1 arrives at your favorite local comic shop and digitally on October 11, 2023.

Check out the cover below: