6 of the Best Horror Comics You Should Read Now
- Eve Andrews
- Mar 7, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 29, 2022
At this cold and dreary time of year, sometimes there's nothing better to get the blood pumping than a good old fashioned horror comic! So if you’re tired of the cutesy stuff and need something to get the adrenaline going, then you’re in luck! Whether you’re a veteran of the genre or just getting started, we’ve cobbled together a list of 6 iconic horror comics that you should definitely go check out. But be warned; these comics are not for the easily rattled…
In this truly terrifying instalment of the DC Universe, the inmates of Arkham Asylum have led an uprising on the mischief-filled day of April 1st. Holding prisoners to ransom, they demand Batman in exchange for the lives of their hostages. To save the innocents held captive, Batman takes up the challenge and is forced through a demented gauntlet of madness, enduring the personal Hell of his sworn enemies; Two-Face, The Joker, Poison Ivy and many more. It’s no wonder that the man under the Dark Night’s mask eventually starts to feel his own sanity slipping. In this beautifully painted graphic novel, the visuals by Dave McKean are nothing short of stunning! This, paired with the sweepingly dark script work by Grant Morrison, makes for an experience crafted in the bittersweet blend of psychologically disturbing yet awe-filled and entirely unforgettable.
With a double-dose of horror writing royalty, the first instalment of American Vampire follows two separate stories, one by Scott Snyder and another by the genre’s infamous legend, Stephen King. In Snyder’s spine-chilling 1920s period piece, we follow a woman-turned-vampire named Pearl, who uses her preternatural ability to set out on a revenge crusade against her previous abusers. This is then followed by Stephen King’s Western flick, about a creature that dazzles its vampiric comrades with its astoundingly superior strength and agility. With vampires often labelled as an overdone genre in modern pop culture, American Vampire has some truly original takes that are refreshing as they are nail-biting.
Eyebrows are raised when an insane asylum is ripped to shreds by flames, reducing to it little more than a flimsy, charcoal framework - good riddance! However, an ex-inmate named Declan Thomas has woken up from a coma with the ability not only to telepathically step into the realms of another’s madness but sometimes even cure it. It's an ability that can be as wonderful as it is horrifying. As a sufferer himself, he hopes to one day cure his own troubled mind. However, this endeavour is made even more complicated when Declan finds himself persuaded by a ruthless demonic predator. Echoing the tone of horror classics such as Nightmare On Elm Street and It, Dark Horse’s Colder is a true page-turner; a real shocker that you just can’t look away from.
Published by Avatar Press, the first thing you should know about Crossed is that it’s not your typical zombie flick. Far from it. We’ve all seen the apocalypse-inducing viruses that turn the infected into little more than mindless brain-eaters; been there, done that. Crossed, however, introduces a new kind of viral outbreak, one that erodes inhibitions and induces its victims to act upon their most sick, animalistic impulses. Nothing is off the table. With its intense writing and startling visuals, this multi-issue series is a deep dive into the darkest corners of the human condition. I will say; proceed with caution - it’s certainly not for the faint of heart.
A real spine-chiller that will have you checking over your shoulder, Fantagraphics Delphine tells the story of a mysterious traveller who arrives in a remote village encased by thick forest. He has set out in search of a lady named Delphine, with nothing to go on other than a scrawled address on a scrap of paper. A creative adaptation from the Brothers Grimm, Delphine takes the classic tale of Snow White and switches up the perspectives, telling the story through the eyes of the Prince or, in this case, the nameless traveller. A far cry from the infantilised take we’ve all gotten so used to, this modern retelling is not afraid to delve into the fear-fueled, bloodsoaked themes of the original fairytale.
Let’s wrap this up with a true classic - to any horror fan, when it comes to comic books, EC’s Tales From The Crypt is a sure staple! Dating all the way back to the 1930s, Tales From The Crypt represents the birth of horror comics in the Western World. This incredible vintage archive is packed with grizzly tales and graphic visuals, some of which were considered so shocking at the time that it gave rise to a major censorship movement in the industry, known as the Comics Code Authority. For any horror lover, these are an absolute must-read!
Which one of these do you think is the most shudder-worthy? Is there a horror comic we missed that you think you think deserves a shoutout? Let us know your take in the comment section below!
Daughters Of Albion #1 - Supernatural Urban Fantasy Comic
A double murder on the banks of the Thames draws a young woman into a millennia-old conspiracy that threatens to destroy us all.
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