If you’re a comic book fan looking for truly great horror, you’ll usually have better luck looking beyond Marvel and DC. While those two giants have some decent scary stories, the most innovative and frightening horror comics often come from independent publishers like Image Comics, or smaller sections within Marvel and DC that aren’t part of their main superhero lines. These indie creators are willing to take risks and explore darker, more unusual themes that the bigger companies tend to avoid, even when it comes to classic horror elements like zombies and vampires.
I’ve been diving into indie horror comics lately, and honestly, they’re amazing! I’m finding so many stories that are just as good, and often even better, than what Marvel and DC are putting out. It’s a really exciting time for the genre!
10) Ice Cream Man
I’m a huge fan of Ice Cream Man! It’s a horror comic from Image Comics, created by W. Maxwell Prince and Martin Morazzo, and it’s seriously unlike anything else. The story centers around this ice cream man, Rick, who has some really dark abilities, and he’s constantly being pursued by a mysterious cowboy named Caleb. What I love most is that each issue tackles a completely different kind of horror – you genuinely have no idea where the story’s going next. It’s also funny at times, which is a nice surprise. With 40 issues total, there’s a ton of great horror in this series, so I think there’s something here for everyone.
9) Gideon Falls
Jeff Lemire (known for Sweet Tooth) and Andrea Sorrentino collaborated on Gideon Falls, a 27-issue horror comic published by Image Comics from 2018 to 2020. The story centers on the residents of Gideon Falls, particularly a young man caught up in a local conspiracy and an aging priest connected to a sinister Black Barn that seems to bring misfortune. The series was critically acclaimed, winning two Eisner Awards for Best New Series (2019) and Best Coloring (2020). With compelling characters and a well-crafted mystery, Gideon Falls is a truly excellent read from beginning to end.
8) Black Hole
Charles Burns’ horror comic series, Black Hole, ran from 1995 to 2005. Originally published by Kitchen Sink Press and later by Fantagraphics, the 12-issue series depicts a disturbing world where a sexually transmitted disease causes horrifying mutations in teenagers. Though a terrifying story, Black Hole is widely seen as a metaphor for the anxieties and experiences of adolescence and sexual awakening. A film adaptation has been discussed for over twenty years, with directors like Alexandre Aja and Rick Famuyiwa previously involved.
7) Infidel
The horror comic Infidel is seriously underrated. Created by Pichetshote Campbell and Villarrubia Powell, it centers around the residents of a dilapidated apartment building haunted by a past tragedy. The story follows Aisha, who moves in with her daughter to help her fiancé’s mother, but discovers the older woman’s deep-seated prejudices are literally fueling a terrifying monster. Infidel is a truly frightening comic that explores how bigotry can create real monsters and threaten anyone who is seen as different.
6) Wytches
Wytches is a six-issue comic book series published by Image Comics, created by Scott Snyder (known for his work on Batman) and Jock (known for The Losers). Published from 2014 to 2015, it tells the story of a family that becomes a social outcast when a girl who bullied their daughter goes missing, and they are wrongly blamed. The series is particularly notable for Jock’s striking artwork, which enhances the story’s unsettling atmosphere and makes Snyder’s already creepy story even more frightening. An animated horror series based on Wytches is also in development for Prime Video.
5) The Crow
Often considered one of the greatest horror comics outside of Marvel and DC, The Crow tells the story of a man resurrected after being murdered alongside his fiancée by a gang. Originally created by James O’Barr, the story was famously adapted into a film starring Brandon Lee. While the details of his death differ in the movie, the core idea remains: brought back by a mystical crow, the man seeks revenge for their senseless killing while grappling with loss and searching for purpose.
4) Harrow County
Harrow County is a horror comic series from Dark Horse Comics, created by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook. It centers around a young woman who may be the reborn Hester Beck, a powerful witch with the ability to reshape reality. She can also see and talk to the monsters inhabiting Harrow County while trying to figure out her place in the world. The comic is visually stunning thanks to Tyler Crook’s unique watercolor artwork, making it stand out from other comics. A total of 32 issues were published between 2015 and 2018.
3) Something is Killing the Children
Currently one of the most popular horror comics available, Something is Killing the Children is an indie series created by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera and published by Boom! Studios. The story is set in a Wisconsin town where Erica Slaughter hunts monsters that adults can’t see, protecting the children from harm. Her work is complicated by a secretive organization that will eliminate anyone who threatens to expose them. Launched in 2019, the comic has earned four Eisner Awards and is being adapted into both a movie and a TV series.
2) Locke & Key
Locke & Key is a captivating horror comic series created by Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. The story begins when the Locke family relocates to their old family home after a tragedy. Their lives change when they find magical keys that unlock fantastical worlds, but also risk unleashing a dangerous demon. Though adapted into a fun Netflix show, the original comics offer a deeper and more expansive experience.
1) American Vampire
American Vampire is a comic book published under DC Comics, but it originally came out through DC’s Vertigo imprint, so it wasn’t marketed as a typical DC horror title. Created by Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque, it later moved to the DC Black Label, though many fans consider the ten-series run under Vertigo to be its strongest. The story centers on Skinner Sweet, a vampire navigating a world where vampires control major industries, and Pearl Jones, an actress who becomes a vampire after being saved by Sweet.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-supernatural-comics-paranormal-horror-fans/embed/#
Read More
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: 50 Easter Eggs, References & Major Cameos Explained
- Surprise Isekai Anime Confirms Season 2 With New Crunchyroll Streaming Release
- 10 Best Free Games on Steam in 2026, Ranked
- ‘Project Hail Mary’: The Biggest Differences From the Book, Explained
- Sydney Sweeney’s The Housemaid 2 Sets Streaming Release Date
- Skate 4 – Manny Go Round Goals Guide | All of the Above Sequence
- Preview: Sword Art Online Returns to PS5 as a Darker Open World Action RPG This Summer
- Why is Tech Jacket gender-swapped in Invincible season 4 and who voices her?
- Forza Horizon 6 ‘Prologue’ gameplay
- Joel Kinnaman Claims ‘Peacemaker’ Was His Last Time as Rick Flag Jr. in the DCU
2026-04-12 02:43