Spooky comic books have been seeing a surge in popularity, with shows like The Sandman getting the comic book to television show treatment on streaming services.
With Halloween fast approaching, bookworms are delving back into their stash of creepy comics, while fans of horror films and shows may be looking for a place to start when it comes to comics that will make them shiver or maybe just give them the perfect dose of Halloween cheer. Regardless of readers' taste, there is a wide variety of comics for anyone looking for reading material to celebrate the spooky holiday.
Mooncakes
Mooncakes is the perfect blend of romance, magic, and classic monsters fans of all things spooky will readily recognize, including werewolves. The whimsical art style doesn't lend itself to the scarier side of Halloween, but the magical themes and presence of all things autumn combine to make the comic ideal for the season.
With the inclusion of monsters and witch hunters set out to keep the neighborhood "normal," there is an air of suspense and danger that will make readers' pulse rise in hopes the characters make it to the end.
Paper Girls
Paper Girls has already been dubbed one of the best time trace shows of 2022, and the comic books that inspired the show live up to the same hype. The comics perfectly combine the excitement of a new friend group forming with the potential discovery of aliens and traveling through space and time.
This series is perfect for readers who want to be thrilled by creepy aliens and shocking plot twists instead of being scared by gory art styles and monsters.
The Sandman
Neil Gaiman is known for being a master of all things spooky and Halloween based on his previous work Coraline and now, as Netflix fans know, The Sandman. Death is one of the scariest things for most people, but this series takes life and death and provides a world somewhere beyond.
While The Sandman isn't a horror comic, the fantasy elements and art style create a creepy atmosphere that drives the story beyond the written dialogue. The elements of mythology as a larger-than-life feeling that makes all the characters feel foreboding and dark.
Batman: The Long Halloween
Yes, even superheroes get involved with Halloween, including Batman. The 13-issue-long series focuses on the caped crusader's crime-fighting days at the beginning of his time as a hero as he pursues a villain who only strikes on holidays.
The comics are filled with all the classic Batman villains fans love seeing in their s, with a new twist on how they got their start in Gotham City. The series takes on a different tone than some darker and more serious versions of Batman, similar to the show from the 1960s.
A Very DC Halloween
A collection of stories with the most popular DC villains and heroes in one place isn't something that often happens, but A Very DC Halloween puts their stories in one issue with a Halloween twist to each of them.
The horror-based stories lead to some of DC's heroes getting darker than the villains they fight and taking on all new evil forces that have never been fought in places like Gotham and Metropolis. As the title suggests, the comic is meant to be read during Halloween and is perfect for those looking for something scarier than the usual superhero stories.
The Nocturnals
The Nocturnals is a complex story with all the creatures associated with Halloween, monster hunters, and gritty adventures that could compete with the best urban fantasy books. Even though the series is geared toward adults, a bit of whimsy comes with the expertly drawn creatures that feel like vintage Halloween decorations and movies.
The action and crime in the series add exciting dynamics between the monsters, adding a real-world element to the supernatural tales. Despite all of these details, the story is, without a doubt, horror based and for those who want to be scared.
Bump In The Night
While Superman has been re-imagined several times in his Bizzaro form, Bump in the Night gives the classic superhero a brand-new version of himself dubbed Evil Doer.
The short story has all the elements of a horror film, including the final girl trope and moments when it seems the monster has been defeated, only for him to return when the hero's guard is down.This version gives a horror origin to Superman that twists the story but is familiar enough that fans still feel connected to the story before they begin.
Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash
For readers who are looking for a comic that takes the best characters from horror movies from the 80s and 90s in a wild and gory cross-over that has only been attempted on the big screen, there is Freddy Vs. Jason. Vs. Ash.
Even though some people think these horror movie franchises need to end, this six-issue series continues the rivalry between Freddy and Jason but adds the element of Ash taking on the fight to end evil for good, making it one of the mouse ambitious horror crossovers on or off-screen.
Monsterstreet
Monsterstreet is for the young reader looking for a bit of a scare but still wants to sleep through the night. The series combines mystery themes blended with monsters and things that go bump in the night, like Scooby-Doo or Goosebumps.
Each volume in the series focuses on a new mystery, keeping the stories fresh and unique, keeping readers of any age engaged and entertained. The art style is bright and colorful, highlighting all the scary details without making them too intense for readers looking to take on a family-friendly adventure.
Archie Halloween Spectacular
Fans of Riverdale know Archie can embrace the spooky spirit better than anyone, but the comics take on a lighter, more Trick or Treat approach to the holiday than the television series. Annually Archie and his two best girls take on a Halloween adventure full of wholesome comedy and romance readers have come to associate with all Archie comics.
The yearly release is for readers of all ages and is a great way to start a new holiday tradition that is timeless and can be ed down to the next generation of readers.
