These Horror Comics Had Me Sleeping With the Light On
Looking to read something really scary this Halloween? These horror comics have continued to haunt me long after the cover is closed.
I’m a big horror fan – movies, shows, drag competitions, give ’em to me! These five comics are my all-time favorite horror stories, and they’ve stayed with me through the years as my most terrifying reads.
As always, we know that digital comics are very convenient. But if you see something you absolutely need to own in the meatspace, head to your local comic book shop!
Beasts of Burden by Evan Dorkin & More
An elder member of the occult-battling pack of Wise Dogs recalls a harrowing mission—in U.S-occupied Japan after World War II, a mysterious curse creates an army of crawling, disembodied heads which threaten to overwhelm the region. Emrys and a team of canine companions attempt to solve the mystery, bringing them into conflict with shape-changing tanuki, evil oni, and a horde of vengeful demons.
Uzumaki by Junji Ito
Kurouzu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but a pattern: UZUMAKI, the spiral—the hypnotic secret shape of the world. The bizarre masterpiece horror manga is now available all in a single volume. Fall into a whirlpool of terror!
House of Penance by Peter J. Tomasi, Ian Bertram, & Dave Stewart
A horrific take on the true story of the Winchester haunted house and one woman’s mission to wash away the blood curse of the Winchester rifle from claiming her own life and soul.
This is a tale about guilt, ghosts, and guns…of how fortune brings misfortune, as a grim and determined woman oversees the construction of a house twenty four hours a day for twenty years with the simple motto of keep busy building or get busy dying.
Beautiful Darkness by Kerascoët, Fabien Vehlmann, & Helge Dascher
Newly homeless, a group of fairies find themselves trying to adapt to their new life in the forest. As they dodge dangers from both without and within, optimistic Aurora steps forward to organize and help build a new community. Slowly, the world around them becomes more treacherous as petty rivalries and factions form.
Beautiful Darkness became a bestseller and an instant classic when it was released in 2014. This paperback edition of the modern horror classic contains added material, preparatory sketches, and unused art. While Kerascoët mix gorgeous watercolors and spritely cartoon characters, Fabien Vehlmann takes the story into bleaker territory as the seasons change and the darkness descends. As with any great horror, there are moments of calm and jarring shocks while a looming dread hangs over the forest.
Just so you’re aware, if you buy these comics, we’ll make a little money. We’ve got a very high electric bill this month because we read too many horror comics and had to leave all the lights on. Oops!
