Mothman and Superman: Lauren Bolger on making horror out of reality
By Lauren Bolger
Last week I went to see Superman. I thought it was a lot of fun, genuinely funny with some great action scenes, and it felt like it had its own style while still honoring the tradition of what makes a great Superman story. One of my neighborhood friends growing up had this big den with a huge built-in bookshelf where his dad kept his comics. We spent hours hanging out in there reading comics, watching horror movies, playing Super Smash Bros. (or me watching them play because I sucked at it).
No matter how strange it ends up, all horror begins in reality. The Barre Incidents begins in that den. Kara Lenker has just lost her dad, and after the funeral she seeks refuge in the family home, specifically the den, this familiar place, a space that is irrevocably connected to her dad, and she gravitates toward a Superman comic. I read this same comic in my friend’s den—his dad even lent it to me—never anticipating that it would find its way, years later, into one of my books. It’s part of the Death of Superman Saga, where Jonathan Kent, Superman’s adoptive father, has a heart attack and basically saves Superman’s soul while in a coma (this has nothing to do with the new movie, so it’s not a spoiler or anything!). But the point is, Superman’s journey has some similarities to what Kara goes through trying to help her dad. It’s not beat for beat, it’s not inspired by, but it sets everything up.
Read an excerpt of The Barre Incidents
The Barre Incidents is outlandish. It’s got Horror, Romance, and Dark Fantasy in there. It’s got gods and a skin-stealer and the Mothman. But it’s also personal, and character-driven. Like Kara, I’m also a non-practicing Jew who used to have lots of existential dread attacks. I also still sort of believe that my grandpa haunted me (nicely) the first time we burned his Yartzeit candle (a Jewish memorial candle).
On the unreal side of things, I think that if you love two parents and they both supported you but only one of them could actually hear the supernatural howling in the trees that plagued you every night at bedtime, and that parent died, you’d kind of be like, “What do I do now?” and you might have to lean on some found family for a while as you grapple with that big change—not to mention grappling with your zombie dad and the creature in an otherworldly robot suit that seems to be stalking you.
It's a whole ride and I’m excited to share it with whoever checks it out. If you preorder it and read it, I hope you like it!
The Barre Incidents releases on October 1. I will be signing preorders, which will also come with a bookmark featuring an original comic by Mary Verhoeven, and a horror-themed zine published by Malarkey. The book will be available print-on-demand from all major book retailers, but as I write this we’re about 20 preorders away from being able to do a first edition print run with Bookmobile. If we’re able to go ahead with this print run, Book club subscribers and readers who preorder will all receive a first edition copy. Malarkey is offering a 15% discount with code PREORDER at checkout.
Preorder a signed copy of The Barre Incidents
Praise for The Barre Incidents
“Lauren Bolger continues to propel herself forward as one of the most interesting and finest voices in horror with her sophomore novel, The Barre Incidents. She excels at weaving the intangible, like familial relationships, trauma, and existential dread, with the in-your-face and gripping terrors of the kinds of creatures that will haunt your dreams. I think it’s safe to say The Barre Incidents has cemented Bolger as the Cryptid Queen. Do not sleep on this novel.”
—Michael Bettendorf, author of Trve Cvlt
“Lauren Bolger’s The Barre Incidents is a thrilling mystery about family, love and grief blended with a deep dive into world mythology. The book delightfully interweaves the voices of friendly residents of a small town alongside ancient and otherworldly voices. A strange and thrilling tale!”
—Ivy Grimes, author of The Ghosts of Blaubart Mansion
Lauren Bolger loves writing, music, and frightening herself and others. She has loved these things ever since her brain started telling her what kinds of things she liked. She drums, too, sometimes. Her debut novel, Kill Radio, an Occult Supernatural novel, was released in April 2023, also with Malarkey Books. The Barre Incidents is her second novel. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, two kids, and two cats. More info on published works and events can be found at www.laurenbolger.com.