Disney’s Official Nightmare Before Christmas Prequel Is A 10-Part Masterpiece
TJ Mills is an editor on ScreenRant's Comic team, where she combines her lifelong passion for DC with her analytical background as a former Intelligence Analyst. Since joining ScreenRant in 2023, she has specialized in covering major DC storylines, character evolutions, and industry developments.
We can almost guarantee that the new 10-part Disney prequel to Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmashas slipped under the radar of at least 98% of fans. However, that may be a blessing in disguise, as the tenth and final installment was just released today, making the entire series available to binge in one sitting.
Over three years, TOKYOPOP and its Disney Manga imprint have delivered two official prequels to the 1993 film: The Battle for Pumpkin King (2023) and All Hail the Pumpkin King (2026), the latter of which concluded today with its fifth and final issue. Both prequels expand on Jack Skellington's history and his relationship with Oogie Boogie before the events of The Nightmare Before Christmas, with All Hail the Pumpkin King serving as a direct sequel to The Battle for Pumpkin King.
Together, these two comics, each consisting of five issues, deliver a 10-part prequel to the movie, and fans can binge the entire story from beginning to end. The Battle for Pumpkin King explores how Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie went from close friends to bitter rivals as they compete to become Halloween Town's Pumpkin King. This series sets the stage for the rivalry fans recognize in the movie while further exploring one of the franchise's most iconic relationships.
All Hail the Pumpkin King takes place shortly after The Battle for Pumpkin King and explores Jack's first Halloween celebration as the town's newly appointed Pumpkin King. The series further develops Jack and Oogie Boogie's relationship, with Jack hoping to repair their friendship by asking Oogie for help preparing for the celebration. However, Oogie has a secret agenda of his own.
Together, these prequels deliver a gorgeous story, both visually and narratively, taking fans back to Halloween Town while expanding the franchise's lore. With the additional background information these two series provide about Jack and Oogie's relationship, fans can watch the 1993 classic through a new lens and gain an even deeper appreciation for it.
The Pumpkin King: Everything You Need To Know About The Nightmare Before Christmas Prequel
Cover Art for Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: All Hail the Pumpkin King #1-5 (2027)
While The Battle for Pumpkin King and All Hail the Pumpkin King are delivered in a medium different from the legendary claymation of the 1993 film, fans shouldn't let this deter them from diving into these two prequels. In fact, the artwork is perhaps one of the greatest strengths of both series, which should come as no surprise given that the same art team worked on both.
The Battle for Pumpkin King was written by Dan Conner, with its story by Shaun McLaughlin and Stu Levy, while All Hail the Pumpkin King was written by Joshua Pruett. Meanwhile, the artistic duo of artist Deborah Allo and colorist Roberto Scalia returned for both prequels, providing visual continuity between the two stories. Given that the artwork is absolutely gorgeous, it is a draw in its own right.
Story-wise, both are just as impressive, with The Battle for Pumpkin King even earning a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Together, these prequels are a masterclass in respecting and expanding existing franchise lore, and die-hard fans will likely be more than satisfied with their execution. For those who particularly love Jack or Oogie, or better yet, both, these are must-reads because they'll give you a deeper love and appreciation for the two characters and their rivalry in The Nightmare Before Christmas.
How did Jack Skellington become the Pumpkin King?
Explore Jack and Oogie Boogie's early days in Halloween Town and learn how their inseparable friendship turns sour as they battle to become the next Pumpkin King. Discover the mastermind who's pulling the strings, and relive the fantastic world of The Nightmare Before Christmas in this new manga-inspired adaptation!
Disney Manga's The Battle for Pumpkin King & All Hail the Pumpkin King are now available!
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.