10 Dark DC Comics That Are Perfect For Halloween (& Aren’t The Long Halloween)

October is here, and that means it’s officially time for spooky fun! With Halloween just around the corner, what better way to get ready than by reading some truly chilling stories? While comic books are often known for superheroes and happy endings, there are actually tons of scary comics out there perfect for getting you in the Halloween spirit. In fact, horror comics have a long history – even longer than superhero comics – so you have plenty of options to choose from to create the perfect spooky atmosphere.

As Halloween approaches, a great comic to read is DC’s Batman: The Long Halloween, but there are plenty of other spooky options too. We’ve put together a list of ten of DC’s best comics for the season, including ghost stories, psychological thrillers, and mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Let’s dive in and get ready for a scare!

10) The Spectre (1992)

The Spectre, DC’s famously grim character, truly shines in his 1992 series, which perfectly captures his haunting atmosphere. As a relentless force of justice, the Spectre acts as judge, jury, and executioner, targeting the most depraved villains in comics. Each story blends elements of a ghostly tale, a suspenseful murder mystery, and a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be human. The dynamic between Jim Corrigan and the Spectre is compelling, leading readers on a journey into the darkest parts of the human psyche and prompting questions about the nature of vengeance and whether it can ever be justified. If you’re looking for dark, intense, and supernatural action, this series is a must-read.

9) The Nice House on the Lake

This scary comic book series doesn’t take place in the world of superheroes. Instead, it draws on the mature and unsettling themes of DC’s Vertigo line. The story follows ten friends who gather at a lake house for a weekend, only to witness the end of the world. While they’re safe inside, they’re warned they can never leave. It’s a post-apocalyptic tale about a seemingly perfect refuge that becomes a prison, exploring the fear and desperation that come with confinement and the presence of something monstrous. For readers who want to continue the unsettling and thought-provoking experience, there’s a follow-up series called The Nice House by the Sea.

8) Absolute Batman

Sometimes, you just want a horror story that’s pure, frightening spectacle – terrifying monsters doing terrible things, ideally with plenty of action and gore. If that’s what you’re after, then Absolute Batman is for you. This comic features incredibly frightening villain designs – some of the best seen in the last ten years – and they all deliver on the promise of being truly monstrous. Batman is constantly struggling, facing enemies with seemingly endless resources, immense power, and even public support.

This series is incredibly intense, like a really extreme monster movie, but it’s also deeply moving thanks to Batman’s dedication to Gotham and the people he cares about. If you need proof, just consider how terrifying the Absolute Joker is – he truly is a nightmare brought to life.

7) Blackest Night

Every Halloween reading list needs a zombie story, and we recommend Blackest Night. But this isn’t your typical zombie apocalypse. It uses a key idea from DC Comics – characters coming back to life. Nekron, the entity of death, creates an army of Black Lantern zombies from DC’s fallen heroes and villains. Their goal is simple: kill everyone and add them to their undead ranks. What makes it even more terrifying is that Nekron doesn’t just raise the dead – he can revive people only to turn them into zombies, making anyone a potential enemy at any time. It’s a fight for survival where no one is safe.

This story stands out because it threatens everything and everyone in the DC Universe, forcing even the most heroic characters to confront their inner demons. It’s not a separate alternate reality, but the core DC heroes fighting for survival and trying to understand death itself to save their world. It’s a genuinely frightening and impactful story – and rightfully considered one of DC’s greatest events. Even just the events leading up to the main story are brilliantly crafted.

6) Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

As a huge Batman fan, this story really digs deep into the minds of Gotham’s villains – it’s not just about punches and fights, but why they’re so messed up. The plot centers around a takeover of Arkham Asylum, and Batman has to go in and restore order. But what he finds inside… it’s seriously disturbing. It gets under your skin and makes you question everything, even if Gotham itself is somehow… cursed. Honestly, reading this is a total psychological ride – unsettling, but brilliantly done. The artwork is perfect for the creepy mood, and by the time you finish, you might feel a little unhinged yourself!

5) American Vampire

Vampires, like zombies, are a staple of spooky season recommendations. American Vampire offers a fresh take on these creatures, portraying them as a species that has adapted and changed over hundreds of years as they turn new people into vampires. The story centers on Skinner Sweet, a Wild West outlaw who becomes a new kind of vampire – one who can tolerate sunlight and possesses a unique set of powers and vulnerabilities. While it leans more towards gothic western than typical horror, the series still delivers the revenge, bloodshed, and terror you’d expect from a great horror story. It’s written by DC horror expert Scott Snyder, and the first five issues feature contributions from the renowned horror author Stephen King.

4) Absolute Martian Manhunter

Okay, let me tell you about Absolute Martian Manhunter. It’s a fascinating reimagining of the character, similar in scope to Absolute Batman, set in a universe where Darkseid’s influence is spreading darkness. What really grabbed me was how the story presents J’onn J’onzz – he’s essentially an alien consciousness sharing the mind of FBI agent John Jones. They’re up against a truly terrifying villain, a White Martian who doesn’t just want to conquer, but to corrupt humanity from the inside out by amplifying everyone’s darkest impulses. This isn’t just a superhero brawl; it’s a deep dive into the psychology of its characters, tackling relatable issues with some genuinely shocking twists. And honestly, the artwork is stunning – truly next-level. Even if you’re not a Martian Manhunter fan, I’d recommend picking this up just for the visuals alone.

3) Batman & Dracula Trilogy

This is our second vampire-themed Batman story, presented as three separate comics. Batman and vampires have a long history – he even fought them early in his career! This series explores what happens when Bruce Wayne becomes a vampire, battling Dracula’s forces to protect the world from supernatural threats. The story focuses on Batman’s struggle against his new, monstrous instincts and the darkness within him. It’s a classic horror tale from the Elseworlds line, showing the Dark Knight becoming a creature he’s never been before – and it’s perfectly suited for Halloween, with a gothic hero facing vampires in a gothic city.

2) Hellblazer

This comic book centers on John Constantine, an occult detective who investigates truly disturbing and evil cases within the DC Universe. It’s the longest-running series from the Vertigo imprint, continuing for an impressive twenty-five years, and played a major role in shaping the modern occult detective genre. Constantine is the classic flawed hero – sarcastic and cynical on the surface, but with a hidden core of goodness buried beneath layers of trauma. He often ends up hurting those he’s trying to protect. If you enjoy horror and mystery with a dark, gritty edge, this comic is perfect for you.

1) Sage of the Swamp Thing

Alan Moore’s work on Swamp Thing is legendary and fundamentally changed DC’s horror comics. He took a struggling comic and turned it into a major hit, and this run introduced iconic characters like John Constantine, as well as concepts like the Green and the Great Darkness. Moore’s Swamp Thing explored a wide range of monsters and tragic figures, pushing the boundaries of horror within the superhero genre and prompting readers to consider both the fear and the empathy we should feel for the unknown.

If you’re looking for a truly spooky and captivating Halloween watch, this series is perfect. It explores both the darkness and the goodness within people, balancing fear with heartfelt stories of love and loss. You’ll be both thrilled and terrified – and completely hooked.

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2025-10-26 22:13