While Dark Horse Comics might not be the first indie publisher that comes to mind, it’s played a huge role in the history of comics. Starting in the late 1980s, it became a haven for top creators wanting to publish their own original work, offering readers more variety beyond just superhero stories. Plus, Dark Horse published comics based on hugely popular movies like Star Wars, Predator, and Alien, among others. The company is celebrated for some of the best independent comics ever made and really helped set the stage for the success of publishers like Image Comics and BOOM! Studios.
Dark Horse Comics has a fantastic history, publishing some truly legendary titles. While a few older gems might be forgotten by some, the publisher continues to release excellent comics today. These books, both classic and modern, are essential reading for any comic book enthusiast and deserve a place in every collection.
10) Harrow County
Many horror fans consider Harrow County to be one of the most frightening comic series ever made. Created by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook, it ran from 2015 to 2018 and tells the story of Emma Crawford as she uncovers terrifying truths about herself. On her 18th birthday, Emma discovers she’s a witch—the reincarnation of Hester Beck—and her life is forever altered. Now possessing incredible power, she must navigate both her newfound abilities and the strange, supernatural events happening in her hometown. Harrow County is a beautifully illustrated and compelling coming-of-age story, and it’s considered one of the best independent comics of the 21st century. If you haven’t read it, you’re in for a treat.
9) Grendel Ominbus: Hunter Rose
Dark Horse Comics is known for its compelling characters, and many fans love the stories featuring Hunter Rose and Grendel Prime. Creator Matt Wagner first introduced Grendel in a backup story in Comico Primer #2, which proved popular enough to warrant a three-issue series. Further stories then appeared as backups in Wagner’s Mage series. Eventually, Wagner brought the character to Dark Horse, where multiple series expanded the Grendel universe far into the future. Grendel Omnibus: Hunter Rose collects the foundational stories – Grendel: Devil by the Deed, Grendel: Black, White, & Red, Grendel: Red, White, & Black, and Grendel: Behold the Devil – along with tales from Comico Collection, Decade: A Dark Horse Short Story Collection, Dark Horse Extra #49-50, Dark Horse Maverick 2001, and Liberty Annual 2011. This collection immerses readers in a brutal world of violence and revenge, establishing the core of the Grendel mythos and sure to captivate new fans.
8) Martha Washington: Give Me Liberty
As a comic book fan, I always loved what Frank Miller did after he left Marvel – his work at Dark Horse was incredible, and he really created some of his most memorable characters there. He had the chance to collaborate with some seriously talented artists, and his team-up with Dave Gibbons – one of the creators of Watchmen – resulted in Martha Washington: Give Me Liberty. It introduces this amazing character, Martha, who lives in a really dark, messed-up future. She joins this peacekeeping force called PAX, trying to make things right. Of course, that puts her on a collision course with this total villain, Colonel Moretti, who’s basically trying to destroy America. Miller and Gibbons just click creatively, and Martha Washington is one of those underappreciated heroes you really need to know about. Seriously, if you pick this one up, you’ll be searching for all her other stories!
7) The Mask Omnibus Volume One
Everyone loves the movie The Mask, starring Jim Carrey as a character brought to life by a magical mask with a mischievous spirit. But the comic book that inspired it is a surprisingly different beast! While the film is a comedy, the original comic is a hilarious horror story with over-the-top gore. Created by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke, The Mask was a standout title for early Dark Horse Comics, and The Mask Omnibus Volume One collects the first stories: The Mask #0-4, The Mask Returns #1-4, and The Mask Strikes Back #1-5. This collection is much wilder than the movie, taking the character to darker and more outrageous places. With a fantastic mix of humor and shocking action, this omnibus is the perfect introduction to the truly insane world of The Mask.
6) Concrete: Volume One — Depths
One of the earliest and still greatest series from Dark Horse Comics is Concrete. Created by Paul Chadwick, it tells the story of an ordinary man whose brain is placed inside a massive stone body by aliens, and how he adjusts to this strange new existence. Despite the unusual setup, the stories are grounded in realism, focusing on Concrete’s struggle to live a normal life in an extraordinary form. It’s a moving and often sad comic that deserves to be rediscovered. Concrete: Volume One – Depths gathers the first five issues of Concrete, plus stories originally published in Collected Stories 1986-1989, the Dark Horse Presents Annual 1999, and Dark Horse Presents #150. These stories are truly beautiful and might just become your new favorite comic book.
5) Sin City: That Yellow Bastard
The comic book Sin City is a classic, and it spawned one of the most highly-regarded comic book movies of all time. The 2005 film drew from three different stories, culminating in a finale based on Frank Miller’s Sin City: That Yellow Bastard. This story centers on John Hartigan, a police officer who intervenes when the dangerous son of a powerful man begins targeting young girls. He saves a girl named Nancy, severely injuring the boy in the process. Years after retiring, Hartigan continues to watch over Nancy, and when she’s kidnapped and horrifically transformed by the same man, he sets out to complete the mission he began years earlier. That Yellow Bastard is considered a perfect Sin City story, demonstrating that even in a corrupt city like Basin City, heroes can still exist.
4) Robocop vs. Terminator
Dark Horse Comics gained a reputation for adapting popular sci-fi and horror movies from the 1980s, and they were known for creating dream team-ups fans had always hoped for. The standout title is Robocop vs. Terminator, a collaboration between comic legends Frank Miller and Walt Simonson. This comic is a thrilling ride, as human rebels attempt to eliminate Robocop by sending a soldier back in time, while Skynet dispatches a Terminator to protect him. The story then takes a surprising turn, becoming a spectacular sci-fi action adventure, beautifully illustrated by Simonson’s dynamic artwork and brought to life by Miller’s fantastic writing. It’s everything you’d want in a crossover between these two iconic franchises.
3) Black Hammer: Secret Origins
Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s Black Hammer launched a fresh take on the superhero genre. The story begins with a team of heroes who, after saving the world, find themselves mysteriously trapped in a small town. Unable to leave, they attempt to rebuild their lives while uncovering the reason for their predicament. Black Hammer: Secret Origins is a captivating start to a series that’s sure to draw you in. The characters are fantastic, each a unique take on classic superhero archetypes. Once you start with the first volume, you won’t be able to resist collecting the rest.
2) Hellboy: Seed of Destruction
The Hellboy comics are considered some of the best independent comics ever created, and they quickly gained that reputation. The first story, Hellboy: Seed of Destruction, by Mike Mignola, introduces Hellboy – a demon summoned during the final days of World War II by the evil Rasputin. The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD) manages to thwart Rasputin’s plans and takes Hellboy in, raising him to become a protector against supernatural threats. When Rasputin returns to complete his ritual, Hellboy must fight him and his creatures with the help of his BPRD colleagues. This story served as the basis for the 2004 Hellboy movie and delivers everything fans want in a horror-superhero comic – it’s what made Hellboy famous, and you’re sure to enjoy it.
1) Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Frank Miller’s Sin City series began with a powerful impact with Sin City: The Hard Goodbye. This story introduces Marv, a brutal and dangerous man who lives on the streets. He instantly falls for a woman named Goldie, only to find her murdered the next morning. Her twin sister then enlists Marv’s help, and together they embark on a quest for revenge that will lead them to the most powerful people in Basin City. It’s a classic crime noir story, and it served as the basis for the opening segment of the 2005 film. The Hard Goodbye established the series’ distinctive style and quickly made it a standout in the world of crime comics.
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2025-11-12 20:17