Horror and supernatural comics

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Introduction

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There is a common belief that comic books are an ill-suited medium for the horror genre. They are not sufficiently immersive, the argument goes; they can’t be scary because the reader is always in control of the pacing. According to this view, comics can only incorporate superficial trappings of horror without capturing its essence.

I have never fully understood this way of thinking, and I believe its proponents are too fixated on movies as a point of reference. While it might be true that comics cannot deliver jump scares, their authors still have at their disposal a broad repertoire of techniques to build tension, create an unsettling atmosphere, or provoke reactions of outright shock and revulsion. The following list of recommended titles in the genre demonstrates this variety of approaches.

Indeed, comic book horror, like its counterparts in other forms of media, is a very broad category. Some of the titles on the list are rooted in well-established subgenres like slasher, creature feature, or zombie apocalypse. Others explore action horror, gross-out gore horror, subtle atmospheric or psychological horror, and even horror comedy. Then there are dark fantasy and supernatural stories that don’t primarily aim to frighten, but feature characters, creatures, and settings that can be generally classified as dark, grotesque, or “gothic.” At the other end of the spectrum are gritty crime stories about serial killers, some based on true events. Finally, the list includes several unique works that invent their own brand of dread; many of them are considered essential classics in the history of comic books, regardless of genre.

Across all media, some of the most effective spine-chilling horror narratives are short, concise, and rely on shocking endings. This explains the prominence of anthologies in this lineup, from the celebrated publications of EC Comics and Warren to their modern descendants.

The list is dominated by offerings from a relatively small number of American publishers and imprints specializing in creator-owned series. Though often described as “indie,” their horror output generally aligns with mainstream tastes in terms of both narrative and artistic conventions. As part of my research, I sought examples from outside that scene; consequently, there is some representation of alternative and international horror comics on the list.

One notable absence is horror manga. Given the many significant works by Japanese authors, I felt they deserved a separate list of their own. I also compiled a related list of comics with extreme and graphic content, not all of which are “horror” in the strictest sense.

The list

Compiled by hand from about 351 sources. The ratings indicate popularity, not quality.

If you buy something through links on this page, I may earn an affiliate commission.

  1. Locke & Key

    Popularity 5

    by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

    (2008–2013)

  2. Harrow County

    5

    by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook

    (2015–2018)

  3. Wytches

    5

    by Scott Snyder and Jock

    (2014–2015)

  4. Hellboy

    4.5

    by Mike Mignola et al.

    (1993–)

  5. B.P.R.D.

    4.5

    by Mike Mignola et al.

    (2002–2019)

    And other titles from the Hellboy Universe

  6. Crossed

    4.5

    by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows

    (2008)

    Also Crossed: Wish You Were Here and Crossed: +100

  7. Saga of the Swamp Thing

    4.5

    by Alan Moore et al.

    (1984–1987)

    Also the runs by Len Wein and Rick Veitch

  8. Gideon Falls

    4.5

    by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino

    (2018–2020)

  9. Hellblazer

    4.5

    by Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis, et al.

    (1988–1991)

  10. Black Hole

    4.5

    by Charles Burns

    (1995–2005)

  11. Providence

    4.5

    by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows

    (2015–2017)

    Sequel/prequel to The Courtyard and Neonomicon

  12. Nailbiter

    4.5

    by Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson

    (2014–2017)

  13. From Hell

    4.5

    by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell

    (1989–1998)

  14. Ice Cream Man

    4

    by W. Maxwell Prince and Martín Morazzo

    (2018–)

    Anthology series

  15. The Sandman

    4

    by Neil Gaiman et al.

    (1989–1996)

  16. Something is Killing the Children

    4

    by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell'Edera

    (2019–)

  17. Nameless

    4

    by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham

    (2015)

  18. Severed

    4

    by Scott Snyder, Scott Tuft, and Attila Futaki

    (2011–2012)

  19. Through the Woods

    4

    by E.M. Carroll

    (2014)

  20. The Courtyard and Neonomicon

    4

    by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows

    (2003, 2010–2011)

  21. American Vampire

    4

    by Scott Snyder, Stephen King, and Rafael Albuquerque

    (2010–2021)

  22. 30 Days of Night

    4

    by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith

    (2002)

  23. Fatale

    4

    by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

    (2012–2014)

  24. Afterlife with Archie

    4

    by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla

    (2013–2016)

  25. The Walking Dead

    4

    by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore

    (2003–2019)

  26. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

    3.5

    by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack

    (2014–2021)

  27. The Nice House on the Lake

    3.5

    by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno

    (2021–2022)

    And subsequent volumes in The Nice House series

  28. Hack/Slash

    3.5

    by Tim Seeley, Stefano Caselli, and Federica Manfredi

    (2004–)

  29. Creepy

    3.5

    by various

    (1964–1983)

    Warren Publishing magazine

  30. Infidel

    3.5

    by Pornsak Pichetshote and Aaron Campbell

    (2018)

  31. Clive Barker's Hellraiser

    3.5

    by Clive Barker et al.

    (1989–1994, 2011–2015)

    Two series: Epic Comics and Boom! Studios

  32. Eerie

    3.5

    by various

    (1966–1983)

    Warren Publishing magazine

  33. Beautiful Darkness

    3.5

    by Fabien Vehlmann and Kerascoët

    (2009)

  34. The Immortal Hulk

    3.5

    by Al Ewing and Joe Bennett

    (2018–2021)

  35. Revival

    3.5

    by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton

    (2012–2017)

  36. The Black Monday Murders

    3.5

    by Jonathan Hickman and Tomm Coker

    (2016–2018)

  37. Rachel Rising

    3.5

    by Terry Moore

    (2011–2016)

  38. Outcast

    3.5

    by Robert Kirkman, Paul Azaceta, and Elizabeth Breitweiser

    (2014–2021)

  39. Colder

    3.5

    by Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra

    (2012–2016)

  40. Beasts of Burden

    3.5

    by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson

    (2003–)

  41. Clean Room

    3.5

    by Gail Simone and Jon Davis-Hunt

    (2015–2017)

  42. Tales From The Crypt

    3.5

    by various

    (1950–1955)

    EC Comics anthology series

  43. Basketful of Heads

    3.5

    by Joe Hill, Leomacs, and Dave Stewart

    (2019–2020)

  44. Batman: Arkham Asylum

    3.5

    by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean

    (1989)

  45. The Furry Trap

    3.5

    by Josh Simmons

    (2012)

  46. Preacher

    3.5

    by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon

    (1995–2000)

  47. The Wake

    3.5

    by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy

    (2013–2014)

  48. The Department of Truth

    3.5

    by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds

    (2020–)

  49. Red Room

    3.5

    by Ed Piskor

    (2021–)

  50. The Biologic Show

    3.5

    by Al Columbia

    (1994–1995)

  51. The Silver Coin

    3

    by Michael Walsh et al.

    (2021–2022)

    Anthology series

  52. The Vault Of Horror

    3

    by various

    (1950–1955)

    EC Comics anthology series

  53. Strange Embrace

    3

    by David Hine

    (1993)

  54. A Walk Through Hell

    3

    by Garth Ennis and Goran Sudžuka

    (2018–2019)

  55. Baltimore

    3

    by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, and Ben Stenbeck

    (2007–2017)

  56. Animal Man (The New 52)

    3

    by Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman

    (2011–2014)

  57. Witch Doctor

    3

    by Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner

    (2011–2013)

  58. Pim & Francie: “The Golden Bear Days”

    3

    by Al Columbia

    (2009)

  59. Plunge

    3

    by Joe Hill and Stuart Immonen

    (2020)

  60. Tomb of Dracula

    3

    by Marv Wolfman and Roger McKenzie

    (1972–1979)

  61. House of Penance

    3

    by Peter J. Tomasi and Ian Bertram

    (2016)

  62. The Haunt Of Fear

    3

    by various

    (1950–1954)

    EC Comics anthology series

  63. Caliban

    3

    by Garth Ennis and Facundo Percio

    (2014)

  64. Stray Dogs

    3

    by Tony Fleecs and Trish Forstner

    (2021–2022)

  65. Rawhead Rex

    3

    by Clive Barker, Steve Niles, Les Edwards, and Hector Gomez

    (1994)

  66. The Goon

    3

    by Eric Powell

    (1999–)

  67. The Low, Low Woods

    3

    by Carmen Maria Machado and DaNi

    (2019–2020)

  68. Johnny the Homicidal Maniac

    3

    by Jhonen Vásquez

    (1995–1997)

  69. The Empty Man

    3

    by Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey

    (2014–2019)

  70. My Friend Dahmer

    3

    by Derf Backderf

    (2012)

  71. Bedlam

    3

    by Nick Spencer and Riley Rossmo

    (2012–2014)

  72. The Marquis

    3

    by Guy Davis

    (1997–2009)

  73. Swamp Thing (The New 52)

    3

    by Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette

    (2011–2013)

  74. Killadelphia

    3

    by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

    (2019–2024)

  75. Creepy Presents Richard Corben

    3

    by Richard Corben et al.

    (1970–1982)

  76. Spread

    3

    by Justin Jordan and Kyle Strahm

    (2014–2018)

  77. Black Magick

    3

    by Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott

    (2015–2020)

  78. Tapping the Vein

    3

    by Clive Barker et al.

    (1989–1992)

  79. Creepy Presents Bernie Wrightson

    3

    by Bernie Wrightson et al.

    (1974–1978)

  80. Dylan Dog

    3

    by Tiziano Sclavi

    (1986–)

  81. Monstress

    3

    by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda

    (2015)

  82. Regression

    3

    by Cullen Bunn, Danny Luckert, and Marie Enger

    (2017–2019)

  83. Flinch

    2.5

    by various

    (1999–2001)

    Anthology series

  84. Lucifer

    2.5

    by Mike Carey et al.

    (2000–2006)

  85. Kill or be Killed

    2.5

    by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

    (2016–2018)

  86. Monsters

    2.5

    by Barry Windsor-Smith

    (2021)

  87. Fall of Cthulhu

    2.5

    by Michael Nelson and Jean Dzialowski

    (2004–2010)

  88. Plastic

    2.5

    by Doug Wagner, Daniel Hillyard, and Laura Martin

    (2017)

    And subsequent volumes (Vinyl and Plush)

  89. Redneck

    2.5

    by Donny Cates, Lisandro Estherren, and Dee Cunniffe

    (2017–2022)

  90. Vampirella

    2.5

    by Archie Goodwin et al.

    (1969–1983)

    Warren Publishing magazine

  91. Aliens

    2.5

    by various

    (1989–1991)

    Various stories in the Dark Horse line

  92. The Squirrel Machine

    2.5

    by Hans Rickheit

    (2009)

  93. Redlands

    2.5

    by Jordie Bellaire and Vanesa Del Rey

    (2017–2019)

  94. The Autumnal

    2.5

    by Daniel Kraus and Chris Shehan

    (2020–2021)

  95. Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron

    2.5

    by Daniel Clowes

    (1989–1993)

  96. Rat God

    2.5

    by Richard Corben

    (2015)

  97. The Crow

    2.5

    by James O'Barr

    (1989–1990, 1996–1998, 1999, 2012–)

  98. Manifest Destiny

    2.5

    by Chris Dingess, Matthew Roberts, and Owen Gieni

    (2013–2022)

  99. R.I.P: Best of 1985–2004

    2.5

    by Thomas Ott

    (1985–2004)

  100. Hotell

    2.5

    by John Lees , Dalibor Talajic, et al.

    (2020)