The Horror
Halloween has several features to it that makes an action hero's life hard. For one, everybody's wearing a mask. Villains know this and use it to their advantage. Undead stalk openly, werewolves are just wearing really great makeup, and everybody looks like a serial killer. They can hide out in the open, even if they're a deformed monstrosity.
Children are everywhere. This means there are plenty of bystanders to be concerned about, and for the villain, plenty of hostages. Characters can probably flaunt their "pretend" guns in public, but firing them will cause a panic. Conversely, diminutive villains might disguise themselves as children, or even be one of them!
Candy is given out to strangers at doorsteps. People are more likely to open the door at a stranger's knock than any other night of the year. This creates an interesting dynamic; it's not unusual for adults to mill about in front of a complete stranger's house, which might normally be cause for calling the police.
Haunted houses are commonplace. Everything from a haunted front yard to a house specifically created and staffed to terrorize visitors are an integral part of Halloween. For trap-minded villains, this is perfect camouflage for his fiendish snare.
Halloween runs late. With the exception of New Year's Eve, Halloween is the other holiday that takes place at night. Everyone knows bad things happen at night, and particularly after midnight. Under the cover of darkness, the slasher goes on a spree with plenty of victims still awake and partying.
Vandalism is common. Children say "trick or treat" for a reason. The title varies by region, but just about every part of the United States has a "Devil's Night" (what my in-laws call it in Detroit). This is when eggs are thrown, shaving cream is sprayed, trees are covered in toilet paper, and in more extreme cases dwellings are set on fire. Law-abiding citizens batten down the hatches the night before Halloween and the anarchist-minded stalk the streets.
Pumpkins. Halloween is associated with the bright orange gourd-like squash. Be it a supernatural Jack-o'-lantern or a bomb concealed in a pumpkin, if a pumpkin doesn't feature in a Halloween scenario you're not doing it right.
Your Turn: What horrors have you unleashed on All Hallows Eve?
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