Sometimes you have to just trust in the creators, even if the story was not written with you in mind. This is how I entered Pretty Evil, a new young adult graphic novel co-written by Rebekah McKendry & David Ian McKendry with illustrations by Tim Seeley. With three great creators behind the scenes, I had to give this YA story a shot, yes, it was worth my time.
To her fans, Mallori (heart over the i, thank you very much) is the ultimate teen pop star: platinum albums, a massive online following, and a glittery pink lifestyle to die for. But in her own life, Mallori Martin just wants to be her own person, free from the pressures of stardom—not to mention her mom-ager’s controlling hand.
After a particularly vicious fight with said mom, Mallori wakes to find her gone, with no clue where or why. In desperation, Mallori calls the police—whose search uncovers not her missing mother but several bodies buried in the basement of their Hollywood Hills mansion.
The bodies don’t stay secret for long, not with Mallori’s legions of fans watching her every move. With rumors flying about Mrs. Martin’s secret serial-killer lifestyle, Mallori flees the public eye, only to discover her mom was indeed living a double life: as a demon slayer.
She’s been abducted, and Mallori can’t let that fight be their last conversation. So to get her back, Mallori will have to pick up where her mom left off, hacking her way through demons and boogeymen—with all her trademark sparkle.
There are all kinds of darker tales for adults, but when it comes to young adult tales they are a bit tougher to find. However, these days it’s becoming a bit easier to stumble upon with the help of creators such as the McKendrys, among others. When I was a young adult it seemed like the only darker or horror tales I could find were Goosebumps, and when it came to graphic novels or comics it was mainly more childish themes or superheroes. So, a graphic novel that brings the frights to the young adult audience, as well as someone in their 40s, it gives me great joy. Even better when they are fantastic.
Yes, the creators are what brought me in, but being the father of a 5 year old who is obsessed with Kpop Demon Hunters also didn’t hurt. Having a base knowledge of what makes these kind of stories tick helped me with my interest in Pretty Evil. While there was plenty of reason to relate this to KPop Demon Hunters, I also found myself a bit nostalgic for Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as even moments where I could think of a darker and more sinister The Hannah Montana Movie, another favorite for my children, as well as part of my wife’s childhood.
With all that said, the McKendrys craft a story that has the vibe of those previously mention properties, but trots out on its own adventure where an over-protective parent secretly has their reason as to why they are can that way. It’s a whole new level of looking out for your child, one that is also very much in the public eye. Mallori’s mom knows all too well the life of a secrecy and public facing, as she finds out more about in this first volume. Turning this pop star into a demon fighting hero is well crafted by the McKendrys and definitely had me hooked, even at 40.
What better way to bring this YA graphic novel to life than with a sinister horror illustrator such as Seeley. With a long history of drawing adult themed stories that take terrifying themes and sometimes adds a bit of humor, Seeley takes Pretty Evil into the darker side of things that it needs and does so with his own touch. Blending terrifying moments into the life of a young adult is not as easy task, but Seeley understood the mission and executed with ease. There are tender and humorous moments, but also moments are gruesome extremes.
Pretty Evil is perfect for those young adult readers looking for a terrifying adventure with just the right amount of humor. Rebekah McKendry & David Ian McKendry deliver on a graphic novel that blends pop star fame and demon slaying into a terrifying, yet heartfelt story with outstanding illustrations by Tim Seeley. Pretty Evil is a fun monster-hunting adventure!
Pretty Evil hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on September 15, 2026 from Margaret K. McElderry Books / Simon & Schuster.
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