Graphic Novel Review: TAXI GHOST is a delightfully ghastly commentary on gentrification

Taxi Ghost

Writer/Artist: Sophie Escabasse
Colorist: Kiwi Byrd
Letterer: Rob Steen
Editor: Whitney Leopard
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Publication Date: September 3, 2024

Adèle has two primary concerns this winter break: catching up on her favorite manga series and dealing with acne. But one snowy morning when her older sister, Helen, agrees to let her tag along on her work route so she can visit the library, Adèle hears and then sees several ghosts. To her surprise, when she reveals what happened, Helen is thrilled: Adèle has the family gift!

Although Helen and their mother can’t communicate with spirits, their Gran can, as could her mother and grandmother before her. But Gran finds her medium powers burdensome to the point of painting her home electric blue. Ghosts hate the color, so they never come around. Helen wants Adèle to make her own decision about her gift, but first, Adèle must endure a period party—because, of course, her medium powers manifest with her first menstruation. (That might explain the acne.)

Adèle and Helen’s mom is currently at school abroad, and Gran is strongly anti-ghost, so Adèle has no one to ask directly about her powers. She turns to the library for information, where she befriends a teen ghost named Ambroise. He can interact with physical objects well enough to write code, do a little “light hacking,” and even use social media (he has 50 thousand followers). Adèle is surprised to learn ghosts can interact this way with the corporeal world, but the more ghosts she meets, the less surprised she is by what they can do.

When she’s approached by Jules, an elderly ghost who’s worried that if his grandson sells his house to a corrupt developer it will destroy the neighborhood, Adèle does her best to help. But her Gran’s area of expertise is fighting community injustice, not Adèle’s. It’s a hard ask not because she doesn’t want to help, but because she isn’t sure how.

Then she learns that a group of powerful, ancient ghosts has taken things into its own hands and Gran’s community group is being accused of the damage, adding another layer to the stakes.

Writer/artist Sophie Escabasse is a brilliant all-ages paranormal storyteller because she leans into creepy without ever making her books full-on scary. Much like the Witches of Brooklyn series, Taxi Ghost (which shouts out those witches!) is incredibly charming. This makes the eerie parts less frightening, but still tense. And like any good sci-fi/fantasy tale, the book has a clear point of view, offering solid commentary on gentrification and houselessness.

Taxi Ghost poses a fun and unique take on how ghosts function, what they want, and how mediums interact with them on any given day. Escabasse once again showcases her talent for creating unique and delightful ghost stories, and her dialogue gets better with every book. Taxi Ghost is a fast read that can easily be devoured in one session, though there are separate chapters for readers who need breaks. Straightforward panel layouts, tight dialogue, and focused character facial expressions keep things engaging, especially as everyone’s complexities unfold.

Kiwi Byrd’s color work is also phenomenal. The ghosts each boast individual semi-opaque shades and the clarity in backgrounds and snowscapes is beautifully executed. Everything feels a bit gloomy and washed-out, the way it does in real life during winter, which adds significantly to the overall ambiance of the story—but there’s still joy to be found in brightly-colored socks, patterned sweaters, and more.

I enjoyed Taxi Ghost quite a bit and think it’s a great read for anyone who wants something seasonal but not something scary. If you love it and think you (or someone you love) is likely to re-read it, buy it, but for my part, I think taking a page from Adèle’s page is in order: Grab it from the library to support their work and your community and save a little cash from your wallet too!

Final Verdict: Borrow