10 Best Comic Book Characters Based On Classic Horror Monsters

Comic book creators often draw inspiration from horror, and it’s easy to see why. Classic horror monsters, particularly those from the Universal Monsters films, have had a huge impact on the characters we see in Marvel, DC, and other comics. Some monsters, like Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster, were directly incorporated into storylines, while others clearly inspired the creation of heroes and villains. In fact, one of the most famous superheroes in comics is actually based on a legendary horror creature.

Whether it’s Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, or characters drawing inspiration from these iconic films, here’s a list of the 10 best comic book characters influenced by horror movies.

10) Dracula (Marvel)

Dracula first appeared in comics before the Marvel Universe, showing up in Suspense #7 in 1950. He officially joined Marvel in 1972 with the comic Tomb of Dracula. Interestingly, despite the title, Dracula wasn’t the hero of that series – he was the villain, and the story initially followed his descendant, Frank Drake. Over time, characters like Rachel van Helsing and Blade also became involved in the adventures.

The Dracula appearing in Marvel Comics is the classic vampire from Bram Stoker’s novel – a powerful Transylvanian nobleman. He’s been a part of the Marvel Universe for a long time, and even allied with Earth during the war against Knull, hoping to establish a recognized nation for vampires in return. More recently, he surprisingly fought alongside Earth’s heroes during the Blood Hunt event to save the world.

9) Werewolf by Night

Around the same time Dracula became popular, Marvel Comics introduced its own werewolf character, Werewolf by Night. His real name is Jack Russell, and he’s a werewolf because one of his ancestors was a werewolf way back in the 1700s. The night before his 18th birthday, Jack inherited the curse, transforming him into Werewolf by Night. Interestingly, he actually appeared in Marvel comics a year before Dracula did, first showing up in Marvel Spotlight #2 in 1971.

Throughout his history in Marvel Comics, Werewolf by Night has generally been a hero, often fighting villains and dangerous creatures, even when he struggles to control his transformations. He’s teamed up with groups like the Legion of Monsters and recently allied himself with Queen Shiklah in Monster Metropolis. Notably, Werewolf by Night was the first Marvel monster to get his own Disney+ series, marking his entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

8) Frankenstein’s Monster (DC)

Fans of the DC Universe recently saw a new take on Frankenstein’s Monster in the HBO Max series Creature Commandos. The show features this version of Mary Shelley’s famous creation, and even includes the Bride of Frankenstein as a member of the team. Interestingly, this character first appeared in DC Comics back in 1948, in Detective Comics #135, and was known as Ivan.

The Frankenstein’s Monster most comic fans know—often simply called Frankenstein—first appeared in a DC Comic in 1997 in The Dreaming #18 as a member of the SHADE organization. More recently, a new version of the character was introduced in the New 52 universe with his own series, Frankenstein, Agent of SHADE #1. Since then, he’s been a part of several teams, including SHADE, Seven Soldiers, Creature Commandos, and Justice League Dark.

7) Abe Sapien

Mike Mignola developed the character Hellboy while working at Dark Horse Comics, and this led to the creation of the United States Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BRPD). The second most well-known member of the BRPD, after Hellboy, was Abe Sapien. This amphibious character was heavily inspired by the Gill-Man, a monster from the classic film The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Abe Sapien differs from the Gill-Man in that he was originally a human – a Victorian scientist – transformed into an aquatic creature through a magical ritual performed by a secret society. Unlike the Gill-Man, Abe retained his intelligence and has worked as a secret agent for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BRPD) for many years. He also appeared in both of Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy films and made a cameo in the final scene of the 2019 Hellboy reboot.

6) Hulk

As a movie buff, I’ve always seen a connection between the Hulk and a classic story – Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Think about it: the story centers on Dr. Jekyll, a well-respected doctor, but his friend, a lawyer named Gabriel, starts to get suspicious that Jekyll is somehow linked to a criminal named Mr. Hyde. It doesn’t take long to realize they’re actually the same person – a good man with a dangerous, hidden side. It’s a really similar idea to Bruce Banner and the Hulk, isn’t it?

Bruce Banner was a calm scientist until a gamma radiation accident transformed him into the powerful Hulk. This created a classic story of a good person with a monstrous alter ego, though Hulk wasn’t as evil as characters like Mr. Hyde. One storyline, where Hulk appeared as a grey version called Mr. Fixit, explored this duality most directly, similar to the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

5) Vampirella

The popular Dracula films heavily inspired the Dynamite Comics series Vampirella, especially the way Universal Studios presented the female vampires in those movies. Though she isn’t from Marvel or DC, Vampirella is arguably the most recognizable vampire character in comic books. She first appeared in 1969, created by Forrest J. Ackerman for Warren Publishing.

Throughout its history, acclaimed writers such as Christopher Priest, Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, James Robinson, and Kurt Busiek have all contributed to the character’s story, helping it remain popular and a consistent success for Dynamite Comics.

4) Khalis (DC)

Both Marvel and DC Comics feature their own versions of the classic monster, The Mummy. DC’s version is named Khalis, and he first appeared in 2011 alongside a new version of Frankenstein’s Monster in the comic book Frankenstein, Agent of SHADE #1. In the comics, Khalis is a member of the Creature Commandos, though he wasn’t included in the DC Universe’s version of the team.

Like the Universal character he’s based on, Khalis is a revived mummy with incredible abilities. He’s exceptionally strong, resilient, and has limitless stamina. He can detect living beings nearby and focuses his power through his staff. Plus, he’s immortal, doesn’t need to eat or sleep, and can heal himself.

3) The Lizard

While Werewolf by Night is well-known, the most common take on the ‘man-beast’ idea in Marvel comics actually centers around The Lizard. Unlike traditional werewolves who are either bitten or inherit the curse, Curt Connors transformed himself into a lizard-like creature through a scientific experiment gone wrong – an attempt to replace his missing arm. This turned him into the villainous Lizard, a frequent foe of Spider-Man.

He’s a lot like the Wolf Man from the classic Universal horror films. Both characters are fundamentally good people, but they struggle with a transformation they can’t control, and desperately try to prevent it. They’re monsters we feel sorry for, and audiences ultimately wanted to see them healed, rather than destroyed.

2) Man-Bat

In the DC Universe, there’s a frightening villain who blends the characteristics of both the Wolf Man and Dracula. Man-Bat is actually Kirk Langstrom, a scientist who created a formula that turns him into a bat-like monster. Similar to Curt Connors (the Lizard), Langstrom desperately wants to find a cure for his condition, hating his monstrous transformations. Interestingly, Batman has often tried to help Langstrom find a cure, even while also fighting him as the Man-Bat.

The most compelling aspect of Man-Bat is his desire to do good, even though his transformations turn him into a wild, dangerous creature – often as threatening as the villains he fights. While sometimes portrayed as a straightforward villain, Man-Bat becomes a much more nuanced and fascinating character when written by a skilled creator, making him one of DC’s more compelling monsters.

1) The Living Mummy

The Living Mummy is Marvel Comics’ take on the classic monster from the Universal Horror films. Originally named N’Kantu, he was an Egyptian man who lived thousands of years ago. He belonged to a Sub-Saharan African tribe that was enslaved, and as the chief’s son, he was punished by being sealed in a sarcophagus with a special serum to keep him alive as a Living Mummy.

N’Kantu emerged in the 20th century and initially caused destruction after being freed, but eventually learned to control himself and became a heroic figure. He first appeared in the comic book Supernatural Thrillers #5 in 1973 and has become a key member of the Howling Commandos. He’s also briefly teamed up with the Legion of Monsters and the Secret Avengers.

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2025-10-27 03:15