G.I. Joe might knock on your door this Halloween -- but Spider-Man and Skeletor may be tagging along.

The holiday was subdued last year, coming just weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and costumes for children tended toward the patriotic: firefighters, police officers, soldiers; adornments of stars and stripes.

Heroes are still big this year, along with other feel-good costumes such as cheerleaders, animals and fairy-tale characters. But costume merchants say there's also interest in more traditional frightful fare -- witches, ghosts, goblins and ghouls -- especially among older children and teens.

``The harder-core Halloween elements are doing well this year,'' said Michael Champion, spokesman for Spirit Halloween Superstores, the seasonal retailer that has about 175 stores around the nation.

``The teenage boys really go for the horror masks they can wear with their jeans and T-shirts,'' said Deborah Dalva, senior marketing manager for Poway-based Disguise, one of the nation's largest costume manufacturers and a supplier to many major retailers.

For younger children, Spider-Man is a hot costume.

``We're shipping out Spider-Man as fast as we can sew them,'' said Dalva.

Nick and Vandana Jain, who own Victoria's Dance-Theatrical Supply on Lincoln Avenue in San Jose, rank Spider-Man as their top-selling costume this year for boys. Girls are snapping up red-white-and-blue USA Cheerleader outfits, princess gowns and rock star get-ups à la Britney Spears.

``But I've seen several little girls come in who want to be skeletons,'' Vandana Jain said.

At the Spirit Superstore in Hayward, 3-year-old Eddie Gamez dug through bins of bloodshot eyeballs, larger-than-life roaches and disembodied fingers, all made of plastic.

Asked what he wanted to be for Halloween, Eddie thought a moment, holding a furry fake rat by the tail. ``A skeleton,'' he said. ``Or a bleeding skull.''

``He loves the scary stuff,'' said his aunt, Gigi Medina of Hayward.

The fright factor is a big part of Halloween's appeal, and kids understand that it's make-believe, said William Eddelman, emeritus professor of drama at Stanford University.

In fact, dressing up for Halloween can be liberating for children and adults alike because they get to act out their fantasies in a protected environment, he said.

``The thrill is there, but you know that you really are safe,'' he said. ``It's like eating jellied eyeballs. Kids love the yuck factor.''

From cuddly kitten to evil clown, fairy princess to grim reaper, the brisk business in costumes after last year's doldrums is a good sign, said Disguise's Dalva.

``Americans are getting back to their regular traditions,'' she said.

Make your own:

A wide variety of Web sites as well as local fabric and craft stores offer ideas and tips for making your own costumes, like a baseball outfit using cardboard, fabric, ribbon and Velcro at www.fabriclink.com/closet.html.

Other sites:

http://store.yahoo.com/bevfabriccrafts/eashalcosbry.html

http://costumes.org

One of a kind:

Many theater companies and specialty stores around the Bay Area offer rentals of unique costumes. Security deposits are required.

At TheaterWorks in Palo Alto, for example, you can find a wolf costume from ``Into the Woods.'' Rentals ($75 per day and up) by appointment only; call (650) 463-7143. The company is also holding a costume sale in conjunction with Palo Alto Children's Theater on Oct. 19. Lucie Stern Ballroom, 1305 Middlefield Road, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.