The Haunting of Jilly Johnson

Rafael Busóm Clúa, writer and artist on ‘The Haunting of Jilly Johnson’ is a Spanish comic artist known for mid-20th-century European and British comics, particularly in the romance and gothic horror genres. His work is celebrated for its stylish, expressive linework and keen attention to contemporary fashion, making his illustrations stand out in girls’ comics from the 1960s through the 1980s.

His early works had a elegant style that resonated with the romantic themes in publications such as Sissi and Azucena.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Busóm Clúa expanded his reach beyond Spain and produced comics for European and British girls’ magazines.

One of Busóm Clúa’s most acclaimed works is Sugar Jones, a satirical comic strip written by Pat Mills. Originally published in the British magazine Pink from 1974 to 1977, the series follows the a glamorous television host with a duplicitous nature. Busóm Clúa’s artwork brought Sugar’s world to life with vibrant illustrations that captured the glitz and underlying cynicism of celebrity culture.

The recently released ‘The Haunting of Jilly Johnson’ showcases Busóm Clúa’s versatility in handling darker themes.

Set in the 1970s, the story follows Jilly Johnson, a young woman who, upon moving into a new flat, begins experiencing unsettling nightmares and inexplicably calls out the name of a man she doesn’t know. As she delves into the flat’s history, guided by cryptic messages and a fortune teller’s warnings, Jilly uncovers a tragic past involving previous tenants and a mysterious death.

The comic also includes a bonus story, The Island of Stones, where two English tourists on a Greek island encounter a sculptor whose lifelike statues hide a chilling secret tied to the myth of Medusa.

This comic will appeal to fans of gothic horror and classic British comics. The comic was re-released in May 2025 by the Treasury of British Comics reaffirming Busóm Clúa’s enduring appeal.