GHOST PALS #1 & #2

TITLE - GHOST PALS 

EDITED BY - THE GHOST PALS! 

GENRE - GHOST STORIES & LEGENDS FROM LONDON AND BRITAIN 

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - UNITED KINGDOM 

A5/30-37 PAGES/COLOUR/PAMPHLET

PRICE - £5.00 + FREE SHIPPING FROM THE GHOST PALS ETSY STORE

First published in 2021, "Ghost Pals" is a relative newcomer on the zine block, but it has already established a reputation as an eagerly sought-after title, with several reprints of its two issues. It consists of ghost stories and legends from the UK, with a focus on the notoriously ghost-filled city of London, and the theme of the first issue is Sleep (and what happens when it is disturbed), while the second issue's theme is body horror. "Ghost Pals" was put together by a group of friends with a shared interest in the spooky legends of their native London.

The ghostly legends featured across the first two issues include, among many others, the London home of composer Frideric Handel, where 200 years later Jimi Hendrix would have a spectral encounter; the London Underground's infamous Kennington Loop; famous 18th century clown Joseph Grimaldi, who is said to help the actors at Drury Lane theatre to this day; the restless spooks of St. Bartholomew's Hospital and the spirit of Margaret Pole, said to haunt the Tower of London (mind you, who doesn't?). Unsurprisingly, the Kings and Queens of England often take centre stage in these tales.

The stories are all related in a clear and concise style, accessible to all, and generally not too scary, although there are some very gruesome bits in issue 2!  All stories are enhanced by the inclusion of transport links, e.g. the nearest London Underground station to the locations, if you want to explore them for yourself; "Ghost Pals" is the perfect gazetteer for an alternative tourist jaunt around London, and it also includes a bibliography for further reading. The zine is illustrated with drawings and evocative photographs of the locations, the printing is crisp and clear throughout and the zine is an easy and informative read. Can't wait for the next one!