But I’ll remind him!

Chapter 153: Happy Halloween!

Hi! Just a little email to get you into the Halloween spirit if you aren’t already. I’ll start by recounting this story which pretty much perfectly captures my relationship to the Halloween spirit.

I was walking down E. 9th street a few weeks ago when I noticed a man standing in front of a stoop, like he was waiting for something. As I got closer I saw the man was watching a small kid, maybe 9 or 10, just sitting on the steps. The man was encouraging the boy to “try it on and see if it fits,” but the kid looked reluctant. The man seemed frustrated, the kid seemed embarrassed, it wasn’t going great. Only as I got a few feet away could I see what he was telling him to try on. It was a Red Hood helmet!

I’m not one to talk to strangers, but I love Red Hood a lot, one of my favorite characters I’ve ever had the honor of writing. And, let’s be honest here, he’s not the most popular Robin. He barely makes most people’s Top 5. So my enthusiasm for the costume choice, coupled with the kid’s seeming reluctance created a perfect storm situation. I had the chance to encourage another Red Hood fan and I was going to take it. It started off great.

Me (enthusiastic): Cool helmet!

Man (pessimistic): Do you know what it is?

I got some engagement. And yes, I was met with doubt, but buried under there was a challenge. A challenge, that if properly met, could really change the trajectory of this public costume fitting.

Me (still enthusiastic): Red Hood.

Man (excited): Yes. That’s right!

At this point I am walking past them like The Pope at a parade, stopping to bless a lucky few. The father is positively beaming with happiness that his hard-earned money has not been spent on a costume nobody will get. The kid is filled with a renewed confidence that you can only get when some weird, bearded stranger tells you you’re cool. This is the absolute perfect ending to this story. I had accomplished what I set out to do, made a young Red Hood fan feel good, made his dad feel validated in his spending choices, and I had left my comfort zone and been rewarded for it. A total win.

But then I stopped walking.

I was a little past them when I stopped where I was, and turned back to look at them. Now I know some of you dear readers aren’t from New York, so I will tell you a secret. When a stranger stops walking and turns around to talk to you, 99.9% of the time that is bad. And that is what I did.

Me (maximum pride): I actually write the book.

Man (staring): …

Man (still staring): …

Man (realizing he has to speak): …That’s nice.

At this point both man and child turn away from me in that “I’m not looking at you because I’m not bothered, but I am ready to run/throwdown if I have to” way.

End Scene.

In the man’s defense, he seemed very confident no one on Earth was going to recognize what his child was dressed as this Halloween. So what are the odds that some random dude on the street not only recognizes Red Hood at the exact moment his child pulls the helmet out, but that man is actually the writer of the current Red Hood comic? Astronomically high. Now what are the odds that a very unwell person who know about “kid stuff” is going to walk by and say “I make that specific, very niche thing that your kid likes! We should talk!” Also high, but if I was a betting man I’d bet on the deranged man appearing before the exact comic writer of my kid’s halloween costume. After all, New York has no shortage of unwell people and who the fuck ever meets a comic book writer?

To take it even further, it is fully possible the man did not even know Red Hood was a comic character, or even that comic books still exist. With our boy Jason Todd being in video games, cartoons, and TV shows these days, it is entirely possible the man not only didn’t believe me, he had literally no idea what the hell I was talking about.

So, there you have it. I left my house. I talked to strangers. And I made it weird and turned a feel good win into a total fucking loss. A+ Would do again.

Anyway, if you happen to know the family in the Village with a lil Red Hood this Halloween, please tell them I’m not a lunatic and did in fact think it was very cool.

I thought I’d give you all a Spooky Movie™ update since I asked for suggestions and you all came through brilliantly. Update- I haven’t watched any of your suggestions! Yay.

But I will. My plan is a double feature tonight using one of your suggestions.

I sometimes don’t get around to starting my movie for the evening until after 12 or 1, so sometimes I check running times to make sure I am not going to be going all night watching possessed nuns vomit on children or whatever. I loved Antiviral and Possessor, so Brandon Cronenberg’s new movie Infinity Pool has been high on my to watch list since it came out, but I needed to know how long it was. Let’s ask google.

I’m sorry… Why was it Rated R?!

Every year I give out comics on Halloween to all the Trick Or Treaters. And candy. I’m not a monster. But just because I don’t want to tell you where I live doesn’t mean I don’t want to give you comics. Unfortunately, I didn’t make any truly spooky comics this year so I’m going to give you the same comic I gave last year. In my defense, many of you weren’t subscribed last year. Or you didn’t bother to read it. Now you have another chance to not read it.

Here is the short story SOMEWHERE TO KEEP MY THINGS that I made with Tyler Boss and Michael Garland for the wonderful RAZORBLADES horror anthology. You can pick up the gorgeous hardcover directly from James here.

If that’s not enough spookiness for you, I suggest you head over to friend of the newsletter Kenny Porter’s site. Kenny and artist Iñaki Azpiazu have created a really fun horror comic called THE CORPSE and it’s free to read right now.

And lastly, what would Halloween be without some tunes. An oldy Spooky Tunes™ Playlist, but still a goody.

Stay safe. Take care of each other. Don’t talk to strangers.

-Matthew Rosenberg

NYC 10/31/23