Well, it looks like the first 2 installments in The Nightmare Before Christmas graphic novel series is so popular that Tokyopop decided to release a 3rd graphic novel. Or at least, they’re going to. Maybe we’ll even get a 4th graphic novel one of these days at this rate?

Who Will be the Pumpkin King? (Answer: Not Oogie Boogie)

"The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Battle for Pumpkin King" cover art.
It may be a foregone conclusion, but the attraction here is in the journey rather than the destination.

The newly revitalized Tokyopop (after their closure back in 2011) is proud to announce the 3rd installment in The Nightmare Before Christmas graphic novels: The Battle for Pumpkin King. This particular graphic novel features Dan Conner (Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Zero’s Journey) as the writer, with Shaun McLaughlin and D.J. Milky responsible for the story. Deborah Allo and Roberto Scalia drew the artwork. Unfortunately, we don’t know which one of them is responsible for the cover art above. So your guess is as good as mine here.

Fortunately, we do have an idea as to what The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Battle for Pumpkin King is about. Mostly due to an official synopsis from Tokyopop themselves. According to said synopsis, this graphic novel collects issues #1-5 of the original comic book series. The story appears to be a direct prequel to the film, and depicts the pre-film relationship between Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie. Apparently, they were previously friends before the whole Pumpkin King debacle came up. You can check the full synopsis out below:

Jack Skellington is the undisputed Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. But it wasn’t always that way…

Years ago, Jack and Oogie Boogie were close friends. Eager to prove themselves, they poured all their passion into their spooky projects to earn their rightful place as the scariest duo in town. But there could only be one Pumpkin King! What could have happened to turn two best friends into such bitter rivals?

The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Battle for Pumpkin King will be available sometime in Halloween 2023. Presumably, Tokyopop means October 2023 instead of right on October 31, 2023, but they don’t specify. They don’t mention a retail price for the graphic novel either. Not only that, but there’s no way to preorder it as of this writing. You’re just going to have to wait for next year to come around, and hope the Tokyopop webstore gives us the ability to preorder it later.

Source: Tokyopop