Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2021

91%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A sensitive pig trades his paintbrush for a wooden stake in this hilarious graphic novel that proves monsters—and family legacies—aren't always what they seem.

Ham Helsing #1: Vampire Hunter

book

2021

91%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A sensitive pig trades his paintbrush for a wooden stake in this hilarious graphic novel that proves monsters—and family legacies—aren't always what they seem.

4.7

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4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

Ham Helsing is a total win for the graphic novel shelf. It’s got that specific brand of 'smart-stupid' humor that kids adore—think Big Nate energy but with vampires and pigs.

What’s best here is the heart; Ham isn’t a hero because he’s the strongest, but because he’s the one who actually stops to look at the situation. It’s a great pick for kids who might feel a bit 'different' or who are burned out on standard superhero tropes. If your kid liked Amulet but wants something that’ll actually make them laugh out loud, get this.

Age Fit

Spot on for the 7-11 crowd. It’s sophisticated enough for middle schoolers who like Dog Man or Investigators, but clean enough to read with a second grader.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Ham is a refreshing protagonist—a sensitive pig who'd rather paint than hunt. The story values emotional intelligence and teamwork over 'brawn,' and the 'scary' monsters turn out to be misunderstood or even goofy.

Imaginative

Rich Moyer brings an animator's eye to the page. From a rapping chicken to a toddler werewolf and bacon minions, the character designs and visual gags are top-tier and genuinely original within a parody framework.

Safe

While it deals with 'monsters' and the death of Ham's ancestors, it’s all handled with slapstick, Looney Tunes-style humor. No gore or genuine terror here—just high-energy cartoon action.

Enriching

It’s a great 'reluctant hero' arc that encourages kids to embrace their own interests (like art) even when they don't align with family expectations. The 'don't judge a book by its cover' theme is standard but effectively delivered.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Perfect for reluctant readers who want something fast-paced, visual, and genuinely funny.
Subverts the 'tough guy' hero trope by making the protagonist a poet and painter.
High-quality artwork from a professional animator that feels like watching a Saturday morning cartoon.
Features 'animated bacon' as minions, which is exactly the kind of weird humor that lands with 9-year-olds.

⚠

What to Watch For

The book opens with a montage of Ham's ancestors dying in 'stupid' ways; it's funny-dark, but very sensitive kids might need a heads-up.
It’s a parody of Van Helsing, so some of the 'horror' tropes (vampires, werewolves) are present but played for laughs.

Conversation Starters

"Ham’s family expected him to be a hunter, but he wanted to be an artist. Do you ever feel like people expect you to be one way when you’re actually another?"
"Which 'monster' in the book was the most different from what you expected?"
"If you had to hunt a vampire, what weird invention would you create to do it?"
"Why do you think Ham was a better leader because he was sensitive instead of just 'brave' like his brother Chad?"

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