This October, prepare to meet Theo, a 500-year-old vampire unlike any you’ve encountered before, in John Carpenter’s Night Terrors: BLOOD OF THE TAKEN. This gripping graphic novel, crafted by writer-illustrator Sian Mandrake, is set to make waves in the horror community as part of the esteemed John Carpenter’s Night Terrors imprint from Storm King Comics.
Theo, the undead central figure of this tale, roams a small town in Western Massachusetts, driven by a twisted maternal instinct. After the heartbreaking loss of her own brood, Theo’s nights are consumed by a singular goal: finding the perfect humans to bring back to her decaying mansion. Her latest targets? Lifelong best friends Ed and Liam, who find themselves ensnared in Theo’s dark and violent web. But this isn’t just another vampire tale. Theo doesn’t merely want companions—she wants a family. And for Ed and Liam, the choice to join her isn’t theirs to make.
Mandrake’s visual storytelling is as compelling as the narrative itself, with a bold, inventive style that immerses readers in a world where horror and emotion collide. Sandy King, founder and editor of Storm King Comics, recognized Mandrake’s talent early on, noting, “Sian has done nothing less than breathe new life into a classic horror tale, and I can’t wait for the world to see this gorgeous and captivating book.”
With lettering by Janice Chiang, John Carpenter’s Night Terrors: BLOOD OF THE TAKEN will be available on September 18 directly from Storm King Comics’ website, with broader availability at comic book stores and book retailers beginning October 1. As Sian Mandrake’s debut graphic novel, it marks a significant addition to the horror genre, continuing the legacy of excellence established by their parents, artists Tom Mandrake and Jan Duursema.
Storm King Comics has had an extraordinary year, with the release of two new graphic novels from Steve Niles, The God List and The Killing Hole, alongside works by Cullen Bunn, Heath Amodio, Amanda Deibert, Cat Staggs, and the award-winning Fetch Book Two: The Rescue. John Carpenter’s Night Terrors: BLOOD OF THE TAKEN is poised to be another standout in this impressive lineup, offering horror fans a tale that is as visually striking as it is narratively rich.
