Mike Dougherty is, it’s safe to say, a big Tim Burton fan.

And I don’t mean that as a knock. I think Mike’s got a twisted sensibility that is all his own, but he strikes me as a guy who saw Tim Burton’s success and thought, “Oh, thank god... there’s room for me in this business.” Mike’s a cartoonist, and his macabre drawings have a hint of Edward Gorey, a touch of Charles Addams, a dash of Tim Burton. He loves drawing monsters and pumpkins and creepy crawlies in ways that are one part scream, one part laugh.

Can he do the same with a feature film? That’s certainly what Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are hoping with the release this October of TRICK ‘R TREAT, a film that’s been described as “GO, but with supernatural elements.” Four stories, all taking place on on Halloween night, with a cast that includes Anna Pacquin, Dylan Baker, Brian Cox, Leslie Bibb, and Quinn Lord. I hear the film doesn't actually intermingle the storylines as much as initial descriptions made it sound like, though. Still... intriguing.

There are a few images from the film online now, including the film’s creeeeeeeeepy teaser poster if you go by Mike’s MySpace page, but we’ve got an exclusive one for you today.

CLICK TO EMBIGGEN, IF YOU DARE!

I’m sure we’ll have a lot to say about this one before it hits in October, but for now, enjoy what looks like a shot from Tim Burton’s THE SWEET HEREAFTER.

Drew McWeeny, Los Angeles