A reader named Chris S. suggested that I devote October to the scariest comic books of all-time, as suggested by you readers out there! Sounds like a plan to me! So all October-long, I'll be featuring 31 comic book tales of terror, based on YOUR suggestions! So e-mail me at bcronin@comicbookresources.com your scary suggestions! Here is an archive of all the comics featured so far!

Reader Andrés R. suggested I feature Kazuo Umezu's "The Mirror" from Umezu's Scary Book: Reflections. This is a tale of a girl who finds her reflection trying to take over her life.

Enjoy!

The story centers around a girl named Emi who is extremely narcissistic. As she has grown older, people have become more and more infatuated with her and she, in turn, has become more and more obsessed with her own beauty. She spends a ton of time over the giant somewhat spooky mirror her parents have at the top of their master staircase.

However, Emi is beginning to get a sense of dread in her day to day life, like someone is constantly watching her and meaning her harm.

Things come to a head when items in the house begin to crash or try to injure her.

This leads to the following sequence that is by far the spookiest part of the book (and a tremendous example of slowly building up to a "moment" by Umezu, and boy does he capitalize on said moment when it finally comes)...

Pretty eerie, huh?

Naturally, the reflection eventually escapes and takes over Emi's life. What's fascinating in the story is that Emi's obsession with her own beauty is manipulated by her reflection wonderfully, as her reflection distracts her so well that Emi cannot even figure out what is going on half the story. It takes some unusual/unexpected friends to help her see things clearly.

A very strong work.

Be sure to pick up Dark Horse's English translation and see what happens next (it is a long tale - over 170 pages long!).