Welcome to
Halloween!
Everyone
transformed.
I just finished
our last episode.

My costume
is an
overworked
host.
Frighteningly
authentic.

I came as
wildlife.
The
decorations
have
accepted me.

Before we tour
the world’s
spooky night:
who has water?

Halloween has layers.
One root is Samhain,
a Gaelic festival
marking the
approach of winter.

Christian observances
also shaped it.
“Halloween” comes from
All Hallows’ Eve—

the evening
before All Saints’ Day.
Not one invention,
but centuries of change.

History has
layers.
My glass
had air.

In Scotland, 
we go guising!
Disguise yourself,
then earn a treat
with a song,
joke, or trick.

And carved
turnips made splendid
lanterns. Aye,
wonderfully creepy.

Irish and Scottish
migrants carried
customs to North
America, where
new traditions
developed.

Now for 
my clever trick—
Och. Wrong 
attachment. Anyone
need eggs
beaten?

Growing up in
New Jersey, Mom
walked me around
the neighborhood
for trick-or-treating.

She taught
me: say thank you,
stay together, and
save some for later.

Did you save some?

Absolutely.
For the next 
block.
Apparently
I danced
between
doorbells, too.

Grown-ups can
celebrate. But
between touring
and being recognized,
my old candy 
route is gone.

I miss those
walks with Mom
more than the
candy.

We can
make a
tiny candy
route
here!

Thank you,
Jaxy. You even
copied my
nostalgic
shoulder roll.

A master
class. With
chocolate.

In Mexico,
some families
enjoy Halloween
costumes and
candy, too.
Customs
vary.

But Día de
Muertos is a
distinct tradition,
not “Mexican
Halloween.”

Around
November 1 and 2,
families honor loved
ones with ofrendas,
flowers, food,
and remembrance.

Pumpkin
orange.
Marigold
gold.
Nearby on
my
palette—
different
stories.

Then add
movies, shops,
fandoms, and
social media. The
costume party
travels!

For many
young people,
Halloween means
a chance to cosplay,
make something, and
become someone
else.

I became
the king
of camouflage.

You became
stuck
in a branch.

My kingdom
has
excellent foliage.

Royal
confession:
I actually came
for Zade’s
autograph.

Of course.
Who’s
it for?

My most loyal
subject.
Me.

Wait.
We’re
allowed
to ASK?

You too, Jaxy.

She knows my
name.
Mostly.

In parts of
Asia, too—
including Korea and
Japan— Halloween
shows up in shops
and costume
events.

For many
participants,
it’s secular fun,
not a religious
observance.
But not everyone
celebrates.

Different
places adapt it.
My adaptation
is—
FULL-BODY
SPOOKINESS!

Lovely, Jaksie.
Maybe half-body
near the candy.

She noticed
my
choreography!

Old roots.
New customs.
Different 
meanings
—and room
to be curious.

Oh? A
newcomer…
Why do
I sense
our next
guest
is from
Sweden?

The Folklore
Atlas,
Part 3—one
day.
I promise
we’ll make
room for
your stories.

After your refill?

Before the next
one. Let’s not
promise the
impossible.