Horror comics can be just as frightening and unsettling as any horror movie. Whether published by major companies like Marvel and DC, or by independent creators, there’s a wealth of scary stories available for comic book fans. These comics cover everything from ghosts and demons to monsters and other terrifying themes, offering a unique experience you can only get through the visual medium. Many are created by well-known writers like Scott Snyder and Joe Hill, and often rival or even surpass the fear factor of big-screen horror films.
Whether it’s tales of fractured families or truly frightening creatures, these horror comics are among the best in the genre – and can be just as scary as any horror movie.
7) Locke & Key
Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, has become a successful author with novels and stories adapted into popular films and TV shows, including Horns, NOS4A2, and The Black Phone. But many consider his comic book series Locke & Key, created with artist Gabriel Rodriguez, to be his best work. Though it was recently adapted into a Netflix series, the original comics are still exceptionally well-written horror.
After their father’s death, the Locke family returns to their childhood home, Key House. There, they discover magical keys that unlock doors to strange and dangerous rooms. They soon realize a demon is trapped beneath the house and is determined to be released, even if it means using one of the Locke children. The original comic book series, spanning 37 issues, was a thrilling, scary, and groundbreaking supernatural adventure.
6) Immortal Hulk
Marvel Comics has a long history with horror, featuring titles like Tomb of Dracula and characters such as Werewolf by Night and Blade. But many fans consider The Immortal Hulk to be Marvel’s greatest horror comic. Written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Joe Bennett, it took the Hulk to Hell – both literally and within his own psyche – exploring truly terrifying themes.
This story arc centered on the Below-Place, Hell’s lowest level for certain beings after death. A Green Door offers a chance at rebirth, but the real horror begins when Hulk encounters the One Below All. This entity begins to mentally and physically torture Hulk, transforming him into a truly frightening monster. The story delves into complex ideas about good and evil, and Hulk’s dissociative identity disorder vividly portrays his suffering in a powerfully terrifying way.
5) Gideon Falls
Gideon Falls is a horror comic created by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino. Published from 2018 to 2020, the story follows a man consumed by a conspiracy in Gideon Falls and a priest who discovers a town riddled with secrets. Their paths converge when a mysterious Black Barn appears, bringing with it a wave of death and insanity to both the city and the small town.
Gideon Falls is a horror comic that prioritizes psychological terror over graphic violence. It’s a story about characters confronting their inner struggles, expertly unfolding over 27 issues. The series was so effectively frightening that James Wan is developing it for television.
4) Wytches
Scott Snyder, known for his work on Batman, created the horror comic Wytches with artist Jock (The Losers). The six-issue series follows the Rook family, who relocate after their daughter is accused of harming a classmate. Unfortunately, they discover their new town holds dark secrets of its own.
The town is haunted by figures known as “wytches” who made bargains with the residents: safety in exchange for complete obedience. This is especially difficult for the Rook family, who are already struggling with personal hardships. The artwork in this series is stunning – a dark and chaotic style that perfectly enhances the frightening atmosphere. The story is deeply unsettling and lingers with you long after you finish reading, much like a truly terrifying horror film.
3) Harrow County
From 2015 to 2018, Dark Horse Comics published a highly acclaimed horror series created by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook. Bunn, famous for his work on Marvel’s Fear Itself and Venom, wrote Harrow County, a comic book about a young woman discovering her connection to the strange, supernatural creatures inhabiting Harrow County.
Emmy Crawford discovers on her 18th birthday that she has a deep connection to the land and the magical creatures within it. She is the reborn version of the witch Hester Beck, inheriting incredible powers that let her reshape reality. The comic series lasted for 32 issues and was recognized with Eisner Award nominations. It feels like a horror movie come to life, and the artist, Tyler Crook, even created a soundtrack to enhance the reading experience.
2) Something is Killing the Children
Something is Killing the Children, a comic book published by Boom! Studios, has become a major hit in the horror genre. Created by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, the series began in 2019 and continues today, with over 45 issues released. The story centers around Erica Slaughter, who dedicates her life to hunting the monsters responsible for harming children.
Erica is a standout horror protagonist – a flawed but determined woman who understands she’s the only one who can protect the children she fights so hard to save. The creatures in this comic are genuinely terrifying, which explains why there’s so much interest in adapting it as a streaming show.
1) American Vampire
Vertigo Comics released a truly exceptional horror comic, and it’s surprising that it hasn’t yet been adapted for film or television. Scott Snyder’s American Vampire offered a new spin on the traditional vampire story, and his character, Skinner Sweet, is widely considered one of the most compelling vampires ever written.
It’s surprising that American Vampire hasn’t been adapted into a film or TV show, especially considering Stephen King contributed to the initial volumes. The comic, created by Scott Snyder, tells the fascinating story of how vampires gradually gained influence and power within the United States. With 68 issues detailing the adventures of Skinner Sweet and Pearl Jones, American Vampire is widely considered one of the greatest horror comics of all time.
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2025-11-11 03:11