10 Characters to Avoid on Halloween

Happy (belated) Halloween, comic fans! It’s that wonderful time of year when the costumes are out and the candy is plentiful. But it isn’t all fun and games, because of course not. The comic medium is full of characters who would ruin your trick-or-treating fun with little thought.

In the spirit of this delicious and spooky season, I took a look around the world of comics to spotlight some of those menaces. Here are ten characters you should steer clear of when you hit the streets.

Judge Dredd (2000 AD)

Let’s start the list off with someone who has zero intention of letting you trick-or-treat in peace. This is Mr. Fun Hater of All Time #1. Are those Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups worth 60 years in prison? You be the judge. Actually, he is and everybody’s absolutely getting locked up.

Larfleeze (DC)

If Larfleeze is involved in your Halloween plans, you should just go on about your life. This is a lose-lose for everyone except Larfleeze. He isn’t sharing the Orange Lantern rings. What chance does anyone have at getting some candy corn around him?

Gus, a.k.a. Sweet Tooth (Sweet Tooth, Vertigo)

There are no rules dictating that this list be solely comprised of villains or even just gruff characters. That’s made abundantly clear by Gus’ inclusion. He’s known as Sweet Tooth for a reason. Being around him exponentially increases the chances of your candy haul suddenly disappearing.

Raphael (TMNT, IDW) & Green Lantern Guy Gardner (DC)

I’m slightly cheating here with a shared entry because both Raph and Guy will make your Halloween memorable. For all the wrong reasons. Trick-or-Treat will be known as Treat-or-Fight. No need to worry about curfew.

The Goon (The Goon, Dark Horse)

You’d think the supernatural world The Goon inhabits would be perfect for Halloween. And yet, you’d be wrong. It’s all fun and games with people dressed up as zombies, ghouls and mutants, until actual zombies, ghouls and mutants come into your neighborhood. Goon hasn’t exactly been known for his subtlety. Is he going to take the time to differentiate between the real ones and the fake ones? How long before the neighborhood has bodies strewn everywhere? Trick-or-treating has been cancelled, everyone.

The Blob (Marvel)

Have you met the Blob? ‘Nuff said. Case closed.

Augustus Paulson (Thief of Thieves, Image)

Now we move on to Augustus, the son of main character Conrad Paulson. Plain and simple: this guy made a career out of messing up. Gus will absolutely ruin your Halloween. Not only will your candy haul be put in jeopardy, but someone, if not everyone in your trick-or-treating group, will most assuredly end up in jail. Avoid being around Gus at all costs.

Daredevil (Marvel)

Yes, I get it. You’re wondering how Daredevil could possibly end up on a list such as this one. Well, think about Mr. Enhanced Senses Lawyer for a second. Your group hits the next house. They say they’re out of candy. Ol’ Hornhead decides to call them out as the liars they are. All of a sudden, it becomes a huge deal and the night is ruined. Thanks a lot, Matt.

Deadpool (Marvel)

I have little to no confidence in Deadpool’s ability to stay on mission during a trick-or-treat run. That mission: Score as much candy as possible. There will be too many people in costumes walking around and more than enough events to keep him distracted. Anyone who dresses up as someone Deadpool has a problem with, good luck. If you wanted Deadpool in your trick-or-treat party, you might want to rethink any plans you have.

Reverse Flash/Professor Zoom (DC)

Where do I start with this one? Despite being a fan of the Flash’s and some of their collective rotation of baddies, I have no shame in admitting my confusion when it comes to the identities of the Reverse Flash, Zoom, Professor Zoom, Eobard Thawne, Hunter Zolomon, etc. What I am sure of is their desire to be agents of absolute chaos. So, Happy Halloween? I don’t think so. They will be there to spoil every bit of fun. They’ll do it in a hurry and it won’t be subtle.