Characters
Tristan, Miranda, and Jonathan are the three key characters at the heart of the ghostboy World universe. From the earliest development of ghostboy as a mobile comic, it was clear that Tristan could not exist in isolation. His story needed contrast, balance, and connection — and that came through the introduction of two very different characters to share his journey.
Each member of the trio brings a distinct personality: Tristan’s quiet sensitivity, Miranda’s intelligence and belief in the unseen, and Jonathan’s outspoken humour and scepticism. Together, they create a dynamic that is both emotionally grounded and narratively powerful. Their friendship allows the story to explore fear and bravery, belief and doubt, seriousness and laughter — often at the same time.
The choice to centre the story around three main characters was a deliberate one. A trio allows for shifting perspectives, changing alliances, and deeper emotional resonance, reflecting the complexity of real friendships, especially during childhood and adolescence. Within the ghostboy World universe, this bond becomes a source of strength — a reminder that navigating the strange, the frightening, and the unknown is easier when you don’t have to do it alone.
Tristan
ghostboy
A creative 13-year-old navigating loss, friendship, and the strange ghosts that linger in the town of Mumbey.
(Select the image for Tristan's full bio)
Miranda
Intelligent, fearless, and proudly “weird,” she believes in the afterlife and claims the ability to communicate with spirits.
(Select the image for Miranda's full bio)
Jonathan
Loud, funny, and sceptical, he doesn’t believe in ghosts — despite being terrified of them and encountering them anyway.
(Select the image for Jonathan's full bio)
Umbra
Miranda’s animal spirit guide (Black Cat)
Umbra is Miranda’s guardian and guide — a presence she can sense, speak to, and trust, even when no one else is aware of it. Umbra does not speak in words. When Miranda talks to her — sometimes silently, sometimes out loud — Umbra responds as a feeling: a calm certainty, a quiet warning, or the sense that she is not alone.
To Miranda, Umbra may appear as a black cat sitting nearby, watching from the edge of the room or the edge of the woods. At other times, Umbra is only felt — a weight lifting, a moment of clarity, or a gentle pull in the right direction.
Miranda understands Umbra instinctively. Their connection doesn’t need explanation or proof; it’s built on trust and shared awareness. Others might catch brief glimpses of a cat where no cat should be, but Umbra is never fully seen or understood by anyone else.
Umbra represents intuition, protection, and emotional resilience. In a world filled with ghosts and unanswered questions, Umbra offers guidance not through instruction, but through presence — helping Miranda navigate fear, loss, and change in her own way.
Tristan's Mother
Mid-thirties
Tristan’s mum is a creative and independent woman, a contemporary artist who primarily works as a sculptor. Her sculptures are known for their quiet intensity and imaginative forms, and she regularly exhibits her work in galleries in the nearby city. Art is not just her career — it is how she sees the world, processes emotion, and connects with others.
She is extremely close to Tristan, sharing a gentle understanding of his quiet nature and his love for the unusual. She is also the daughter of the grandfather Tristan adored, and she carries her father’s memory with her, often reflecting on the influence he had on both her and Tristan.
Following a recent separation from Tristan’s father, she made the decision to leave the city and settle in the small town of Mumbey with Tristan, seeking a slower, quieter life for both of them. Tristan’s father visits every two weeks, allowing for a continuing, if complicated, connection.
Practical yet imaginative, she balances her artistic life with the demands of parenthood, offering Tristan support, encouragement, and understanding as he navigates grief, the challenges of being new in town, and his growing fascination with the strange and supernatural. Though busy with her exhibitions and creative work, she is fully present for Tristan, fostering both his curiosity and his sense of security in this new chapter of their lives.
Mrs. Holloway
Proprietor of Mumbey’s Old Curiosity Shop
In her late seventies, Mrs. Holloway is a guardian of secrets, her presence in Mumbey quietly guiding, watching, and shaping events in ways few ever perceive. She knows the town’s history, mysteries, and hidden stories better than anyone, though she shares her knowledge sparingly. A widow, she lives on the upper floors of the shop, keeping to herself while tending to her collection of oddities, antiques, and curiosities.
Though she seems reserved — even distant — to most, Mrs. Holloway possesses a subtle, protective warmth toward Tristan, Miranda, and Jonathan. She keeps a careful, watchful eye over them as they explore Mumbey’s mysteries, intervening only when necessary. Her interest is not born of obligation, but of instinctive guardianship, a willingness to look out for those curious enough to uncover the town’s hidden truths.
Her sharp mind and deep knowledge make her both invaluable and enigmatic. She understands more than she reveals, and sometimes what she chooses not to say is more important than anything she does. Though most townsfolk see only the shop and its eccentric owner, the children slowly learn that Mrs. Holloway is quietly woven into the threads of Mumbey’s hidden world — a watchful protector whose presence is felt more than seen.