Halloween was made for scary monsters. That’s why we call it spooky season and not adorable season. We want to be monstrous. That’s actually why Halloween exists. The ancient Celts believed that the night of October 31 was when the boundary between the living and the dead was permeable. To ward the spirits off, they would wear animal skins and other grotesque disguises to trick any spirits, demons, or ghosts away. It’s a tradition that hasn’t really left, even if our costumes have evolved to include the fun and ridiculous.
But monsters are sometimes more complicated than blood-sucking vampires or war-loving orcs. Sometimes they’re misunderstood. Feared simply because they don’t exactly look like we do or act like we think they should act. Sometimes humans can be far more monstrous than monsters. And then there’s the creatures we meet in imaginary worlds that at first seem like they should be monsters. Maybe they lash out to keep humans away. Or just look scary, so we run screaming before we know anything about them. If SFF books teach us anything, it’s that it isn’t always easy to see who the monster in any given situation is.
Some of the most memorable creatures in fiction have been the monsters we end up loving. They wrangle their way into our hearts, often stealing the show away from every other character. If you’re looking for some fun ideas this Halloween, here are six of the most lovable monsters in SFF that make unique, memorable, and creative Halloween costumes.
Bartholomew
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
Photo Credit: Donovan ReevesIn a story about gods, knights, and dreamers, it isn’t easy to steal the show. But when you have a worrisome gargoyle who calls everyone Bartholomew, mixes metaphors unironically, and has impeccable fashion taste (iykyk), then it’s probably more surprising that the entire duology isn’t about him. He may be made of stone, but Bartholomew is warmer than most of the people he encounters. And he is way more fun. To be the life of the Halloween party this year, slather yourself in gray face paint, attach a pair of wings to your back, and get ready to be your most unhinged self.
Rocky
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Photo Credit: "Project Hail Mary"/Amazon MGM StudiosThanks to a certain space horror franchise, when most of think about meeting an alien, there’s a lot of screaming, running, and goo involved. And then we met Rocky. That super smart Eridian with a heart of gold 1000% stole the show. How could you not love an alien engineer who is just delighted by everything? You can’t. That’s why this is a guaranteed hit for best Halloween costume. Grab some pool noodles, attach them to a garbage bag stuffed with newspaper, and remember to lift your arms and say, “Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!” to all your friends whenever they entertain you. Bonus points if you create a matching costume for your dog.
Mongo
Dungeon Crawler Carl
It’s sometimes hard to remember that Mongo is actually a Velociraptor with sharp claws and even sharper teeth who loves nothing more than tearing his enemies apart for a nice snack. After all, he’d die for Donut and even curls up with Carl when he sleeps. And let’s not even talk about his relationship with Kiwi. When it comes to costumes, there are dinosaur getups and then there’s Mongo. Take one inflatable dino and add blue, pink, and purple feathers. Make sure you perfect your screech, and don’t forget the saddle.
Bone Dog
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Photo Credit: The New York Public LibraryA dog made of bones isn’t exactly the cute and cuddly version of a pet we’re used to seeing. But for Marra, the bone dog is more than a companion. He’s an impossible task. He’s a magical companion. He’s the very best boy. Whether you want to be the bone dog or dress up your dog, all you need is some bones, golden thread, and a little bit of wire to hold it all together. Of course, if bone dog is a little too tame, there’s always the demonic chicken. Just don’t forget to bring your horned shadow and a staff to ride on.
Someone You Can Build a Nest In
When we meet Shesheshen, she’s a human-eating shapeshifting monster. People call her the Wyrm of Underlook. She has a bear as a pet and they met under dubious circumstances that landed Shesheshen some parts that she needs to pass as human. And somehow, all of this is quietly brushed to the side as we fall in love with her falling in love with Homily.
Even though you could cheat and go as the human Shesheshen tries to be, it’s much more fun to go as an amorphous blob. Wear all black, add some tentacles for fun, and melt into your favorite chair. Just don’t try to eat your fellow party goers or lay eggs in them.
Frankenstein’s Monster
Frankenstein
Created from corpse parts, reanimated, and then abandoned. Though he’s hunted and hated, it’s impossible to not love this creature as he teaches himself to read and yearns for companionship. Sure, he does some terrible things, but let’s be real, Frankenstein brought all his misery entirely on himself. Draw some stitches on your face, play with making your skin appear like a corpse, and throw on some haphazard rags to complete the look. Whether you go old school and green, or embrace a more modern monster vibe, you can’t go wrong. Frankenstein’s creature is a classic for a reason.
Featured Image: Sabina Music Rich / Unsplash
