10/26/2025 SPECIAL REPORT: PUMPKINOMICON!
- Candace Nola
- 5 hours ago
- 7 min read
Special report today to share a super fun project from Ty Acierto! Pumpkinomicon!
Check out the full project details below, and the interview with the creator!
Be sure to jump on their Kickstarter to order your copy and get some incredible perks while you are there!
Pumpkinomicon: Handmade Horror You Can Hold
Pumpkinomicon is a horror comic anthology created by Filipino-American filmmaker and artist Ty Acierto. It’s a mix of old-school horror and modern craftsmanship, inspired by classics like Tales from the Crypt and Creepy. Each story is dark, strange, and a little bit wicked, told through bold visuals and sharp storytelling that feel straight out of a midnight movie.
The book is available in both printed hardcover and softcover editions, as well as a special handmade artisan edition—the first of its kind. Each of these rare copies features a sculpted and painted cover made to look and feel like an ancient horror artifact. This limited edition is capped at only 100 copies, making it a true collector’s piece. Early readers have said that holding it feels like "Evil Dead meets EC Comics"- a throwback to the wild, pre-code horror era.
The book is hosted by three characters; The Bone Collector, The Timekeeper, and The Librarian—each introducing their own set of creepy stories. Acierto, known for his award-winning films Watch Me Kill and The Grave Bandits, brings his cinematic touch to the page, turning Pumpkinomicon into something that’s not just read, it’s experienced. Under his publishing label Acierto Comics, the plan is to release Pumpkinomicon annually, each year featuring a new set of horror hosts and fresh tales from the dark side.
GET IT HERE:
AN INTERVIEW WITH TY ACIERTO
- Describe Pumpkinomicon in 10 words or less.
Pumpkinomicon: spine-tingling horror anthology reviving classic pre-code terror storytelling.
-What was the catalyst behind this project? Where did the concept come from?
The concept began when I was crafting replicas of the Evil Dead Necronomicon, one of which unexpectedly went viral online. Fans were fascinated and wanted more, but since Evil Dead is a protected IP, I couldn’t take it further beyond fan-made work. That sparked a thought: what if I created my own book of the dead—one born entirely from my imagination?
I decided to merge that idea with my lifelong love of horror comics and the many short screenplay concepts I’d written that had never been produced. Out of that fusion came Pumpkinomicon, a horror comic anthology that not only pays homage to the spirit of classic pre-code horror but also breathes new life into it with original stories and a collector’s edge.
- In the “Why We Conjured The Pumpkinomicon” section on the Kickstarter you mention being born and raised in the Philippines and ghost stories being ingrained in the culture. Are there specific stories that affected you and/or translated to the comic trilogy?
Of the fifteen horror stories in the anthology, many are inspired by the tales I grew up hearing back home—stories with deep cultural allegory, real-world undertones, and even a few drawn from actual events. Filipino folklore naturally finds its way into my writing; it’s part of how I understand fear. There’s one story in particular rooted in a well-known Filipino urban legend that I reimagined through an American lens. I asked myself: What if this legend happened in the States? What would its version look like here? That kind of cultural cross-pollination—blending myth, modern horror, and social reflection—is really at the heart of Pumpkinomicon.
- The preview video on the Kickstarter looks AMAZING! How did you choose the artists, Arnel Coronel and Vovoi Lim?
I chose Arnel Coronel and Vovoi Lim because they’ve been in the comic industry for nearly four decades. Their style perfectly captures what I envisioned for Pumpkinomicon—classic, raw, and organic, not overly digital or polished. They represent a dying breed of Filipino comic artists whose craftsmanship comes from years of traditional illustration and storytelling.
There’s also an important, often overlooked connection between the old Filipino masters and the golden age of American horror comics. Many of them contributed to shaping that era, yet their names rarely appear in the history books. Pumpkinomicon is, in part, my way of honoring that legacy. I even wrote a prologue in the book dedicated to them—to thank the artists who paved the way and kept the spirit of horror alive through ink and paper.
- The limited ARC Artisan Edition looks killer! How did that vision become a reality?
I designed and sculpted it myself! I’m a sculptor and artist as well, so I wanted the Artisan Edition to feel truly handmade—something that carried the spirit of the old horror relics that inspired Pumpkinomicon. Every texture, crack, and contour was crafted by hand to give it a sense of age and mystery, as if it came straight out of a haunted library.
For me, it wasn’t just about making a comic, it was about creating an artifact. Something tactile that collectors could hold and feel the story’s essence before even turning a page.
- While each comic is like a child - I’m going to ask you to commit the #1 parental sin - Between The Bone Collector, The Timekeeper, and The Librarian, which is your favorite? (And don’t worry, we won’t tell the others.)
The Bone Collector! Though I love all three equally, I have to give him the edge. I feel like I poured two of my best-written stories into that issue—narratively tight, dark, and emotionally resonant. The Bone Collector embodies that vintage, EC-inspired tone I’ve always admired: eerie, poetic, and unapologetically macabre.
- What books/movies were inspirations for these horror comics?
Honestly, neither—and I wish I could point to one. The inspiration for Pumpkinomicon doesn’t really come from existing books or films, but from real life. Many of the stories are drawn from personal observations, unsettling experiences, or moments in history that I’ve reimagined through a horror lens. I use horror not just to scare, but to disguise deeper truths—to mask the real fears, guilt, or moral conflicts that live beneath the surface. In that sense, each story becomes both a reflection and a revelation.
-You are a screenwriter, film director, professional photographer, and artist, which is the most difficult and why?
Directing, without a doubt. It’s the most complex form of art because it demands every creative discipline I’m involved in—art, cinematography, music, photography—all working together in harmony. As a director, you’re not just telling a story; you’re orchestrating every visual, emotional, and sensory detail to serve that story. It’s exhausting and all-consuming, but when everything clicks, it’s also the most rewarding.
-Most creatives have a dream collab or dream project they would love to do-What is yours?
To write the next installment of the Evil Dead franchise—just one, Sam Raimi, at least one! That series sparked my love for horror and practical effects, and it’s the reason Pumpkinomicon exists in the first place. To be able to contribute to that universe, even for a single film, would be a full-circle moment for me as both a fan and a storyteller.
-Is there anything else readers should know about the project that we haven't touched on?
Yes! I may have mentioned in my podcast and during the book’s launch, Pumpkinomicon isn’t a one-time release—it returns every Halloween season. Each year brings a new volume, new hosts, and a brand-new Artisan Edition design. Year 2 is already well underway, and it’s darker, bolder, and even more ambitious. So, keep your eyes peeled… the Pumpkinomicon will come back.
- Is there a new comic or film project that you can share with us?
Yes! We’re gearing up to shoot my third feature film—a psychological horror loosely based on a true story—titled Gods and Thieves. It’s being produced under my studio, Cinebandits.com and PureGold Entertainment Philippines.
-Where can readers follow you?
You can find me on Facebook at T.A. Acierto, and visit my official websites: Pumpkinomicon.com for the horror comic anthology, and Cinebandits.com for my film projects and upcoming releases.
ABOUT THE CREATOR & THE ARTISTS
Creator Bio – T.A. Acierto
T.A. Acierto is a Filipino-American filmmaker, artist, and comic creator based in Chicago. Born and raised in the Philippines, Acierto studied Fine Arts at Columbia College Chicago, where he earned his degree in Film and Video. His feature films The Grave Bandits and Watch Me Kill have won multiple awards both locally and internationally, cementing his reputation as a bold and uncompromising storyteller.
Acierto is also the founder of Acierto Comics, and the creator of the horror anthology Pumpkinomicon—a series that resurrects the spirit of classic pre-code horror through beautifully illustrated, spine-chilling tales. A multidisciplinary artist, Acierto also works as a sculptor, painter, and professional photographer under Prudence Photography, and is currently developing his third feature film, Gods and Thieves, under his studio Cinebandits.com.
Follow his work at:
Artist Bio – Arnel Coronel
Arnel Coronel is a veteran Filipino comic book artist with nearly four decades of experience in the industry. His intricate line work and classic storytelling style have graced numerous titles across Southeast Asia and the U.S. Known for his traditional approach and timeless craftsmanship, Coronel brings an authentic, pre-digital aesthetic to Pumpkinomicon, perfectly complementing its vintage horror tone.
Arnel continues to be one of the most respected figures in the Filipino comics scene, carrying forward the legacy of the great Filipino illustrators who helped define the golden age of horror and fantasy comics.
Artist Bio – Vovoi Lim
Vovoi Lim is a seasoned illustrator and comic artist from the Philippines, recognized for his expressive line art and mastery of visual storytelling. With decades of experience, Lim’s work blends classic comic book dynamism with atmospheric detail, making him an ideal collaborator for Pumpkinomicon. His art captures both the beauty and terror of each tale, grounding the supernatural in a strikingly human tone.
Vovoi’s contribution to Pumpkinomicon pays tribute to the long tradition of Filipino artists who helped shape the global horror comics landscape.
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