Slay Ride: R.L. Stine's Terrifying Twist on Santa
By Liam McGuire
Dec 10th 2023
R.L. Stine is putting his spooky mark on an all-new series in Stuff of Nightmares: Slay Ride.
R.L. Stine is one of the most iconic horror writers of our times, with his work on the children's series Goosebumps being one of the most beloved and best-selling book series ever. Stine is also known for his work on Fear Street - which was adapted into a trio of movies for Netflix. Besides a short Man-Thing miniseries from Marvel Comics, R.L. Stine’s best-known comic work is the BOOM! Studios miniseries, Stuff of Nightmares. A bold new retelling of Frankenstein was told in the first miniseries by Stine, A.L. Kaplan, Roman Titov, and Jim Campbell. The story focuses on two brothers creating something horrifying that will bring nightmares to their lives.
R.L. Stine is teaming up with Pius Bak for a new Stuff of Nightmares miniseries focused on a former Mall Santa who goes on a killing spree after succumbing to madness. The horror-inspired holiday story offers a unique blend of holiday cheer.
Francesco Francavilla’s cover art for the series features Santa Claus wielding a chainsaw surrounded by rats. The art also features a homemade stocking with a sliced-off foot hanging by the fireplace. Jenny Frinson’s variant (also available as a 1:15 incentive) features Santa telling those watching him through a window to be quiet as he carries a sack of body parts. That cover is also available as a glow-in-the-dark variant. Miguel Mercado’s homage variant features Santa with a chainsaw as he revs up its engine with a victim in his arms. Jae Lee and June Chung team up for a horrifying incentive cover featuring a corpse turned into one of Santa’s reindeer. Lastly, Zu Orzu’s 1:25 variant features Santa in all his chainsaw-wielding glory. Check out that cover, followed by the text synopsis below.
If you dare, get into the sinister spirit of the season and join The Nightmare Keeper for a demented Saint Nick story... one who decks the halls with holiday horror, crafting a very merry macabre Christmas unlike any other! As malls continue to die, a down-and-out former mall Santa named Heinrick Fiddler's rage turns to madness, and he's dead-set on making sure department store shopping isn't the only thing that's deceased. Treasured Fear Street and Goosebumps author R.L. Stine is joined by Bram Stoker Award-nominated artist Pius Bak (Eat the Rich) for another tale straight from your nightmares!
For readers who want to see Santa’s dark tale by R.L. Stine, Stuff of Nightmares: Slay Ride is now available at CaptCan Comics in-store and online!
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