RETRO REVIEW: Goosebumps Download and Die!

IDW; $3.99 per issue, $12.99 hardcover graphic novel

It’s the first day of school for Mitra, Kyra, and their new friend Flips. Things are pretty much normal for these 21st century girls as they are tasked with making an app in one class, fight for computer lab time, play video games together, and get flustered over crushes.

But, thing get weird when Mitra tries to take a photo of the computer lab schedule and sees something spooky inside. The phone gets busted and the cracked screen cuts her thumb leaving a bloody thump print on the shards. Later Mitra is gifted a new phone with plenty of sweet features including the new Deadroom App…

Inspired by R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps kid horror books, this three-issue miniseries was written by Jen Vaughn. It is equal parts scary and adolescent slice of life. The suspense slowly begins as readers try to determine the phone’s powers and why a notorious Goosebumps character wants it for his own. Playing on Stine’s book Say Cheese and Die, this version has the updated elements of smartphones and technology, coupled with Stine’s ability to develop realistic kid characters.

The art by Michelle Wong and colors by Triona Tree Farrell strengthen the story with some spooky thrills and subtle expressiveness for the young teens. It’s mostly cute, but there are some ghostly apparitions and other horror elements to be found in the series.

–Amanda Sheriff