The Haunted Mansion: Frights of Fancy is a 2020 children's graphic novel by IDW Publishing that was produced for The Haunted Mansion's 50th Anniversary, written by Sina Grace and drawn by Egle Bartolini and Nicoletta Baldari.
The story concerns Sydney Campbell, the rather cheerful spirit of a recently deceased hotel hospitality manager that comes to the Mansion wanting to improve the guest experience. Dismissed by Constance for her misunderstanding of the Mansion's purpose as a retirement community for active frights, she is challenged to improve the overall scaring experience at the Mansion ahead of its 50th anniversary of frightening mortals with the assistance of a band of ghostly misfits to earn her proper place among the happy haunts.
Includes examples of:
- A Day in the Limelight: Sydney's crew includes a number of ghosts that haven't been explored much in media, such as the ghostly grandma from the Ballroom, Alexander Nitrokoff of the Stretching portraits, and the Breathing Door.
- Dead to Begin With: Unusual for most Haunted Mansion adaptations, in this story the protagonist is already dead.
- Lighter and Softer: One of the tamest adaptations of the Haunted Mansion, it falls onto the more comedic side of the Mansion and Constance has gone from an unhinged homicidal maniac to the Mansion's resident Alpha Bitch.
- Hollywood Tone-Deaf: Constance's singing is described as "pitchy".
- Mythology Gag:
- Besides cameos from nearly every ghost featured in the attraction, Sydney's T-shirt depicts the unused One Eyed Black Cat character.
- The Grim Gazette newspaper introduced in the "Ghost Post" game makes an appearance.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: The lesser-known ghosts assigned to Sydney's committee.
- Sibling Rivalry: The Duelists are characterized as brothers that have continued to argue with each other even after they killed each other.
- They Walk Among Us: Tourists meet with the Ghost Host and enter the Mansion willingly, treating it like any other "haunted house" attraction.
- Unfinished Business: The Mansion is said to provide a space to rest in peace before crossing over, with Sydney doubling her bet with Constance on improving the Mansion's fear factor by declaring she'll cross over if she loses.
