Grounded in a real life struggle with depression, the creators’ hope is that those who read this story—who need this story—find inspiration
JULY 12, 2023, PITTSBURGH, PA — Coming this fall from Image Comics’ imprint, Syzygy Publishing, is a gripping new four-issue horror series, A HAUNTED GIRL. Co-written by the father-daughter team of Ethan Sacks (Star Wars: Bounty Hunters) and Naomi Sacks, with art by Marco Lorenzana (Incredible Hulk), this paranormal thriller channels terrors both otherworldly as well as the real-life terror that comes with struggles of anxiety and depression.
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?
“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,” said Ethan Sacks. “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.”
“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,” said Naomi Sacks. “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. “
Cover A by acclaimed creator Joe Quesada and colorist Richard Isanove, with variants by Fico Ossio, Ryusei Yamada, and a logoless, black and white variant by Joe Quesada.
An inspiration to those battling their own demons, A HAUNTED GIRL #1 hits stores October 11.
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