In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re big fans of Halloween here at Dark Horse. And there’s almost nothing better than an expertly crafted scary story. We’ve got some of the best horror comics you can find, and today we’re excited to share with you our Dark Horse Spooky Staff Picks for 2020! This has become a rich tradition during the spooky season. We’ve asked our staff to give their top recommendations for Halloween comics. We’ve got some old favorites on this list, and some new additions that are sure to fill you with fright and delight! So, if you’re looking for some ghoulishly great reads, look no further than the Dark Horse Spooky Staff Picks! We’ve got you covered! Plus, as you can see, our cats also approve!
Want to turn up the volume on your creepy comics-reading experience? We’ve created some super spooky playlists on the Dark Horse Comics Spotify! Give them a listen...if you dare! Check out the Dark Horse Spooky Synth Horror Playlist. A hand-picked playlist of some of the best horror soundtracks of all time! Or for a more mellow (but still spooky) vibe, check out the Dark Horse Halloween Classics Playlist! Happy hauntings, friends!
Age Range 16+
"In Dark Horse’s Pigeons From Hell graphic novel, writer Joe R. Lansdale takes Robert E. Howard’s source short story of the same name and creates not only a sequel but a re-telling of the original story that works better. If you’re enjoying the Lovecraft Country series right now, then this is basically the graphic novel you’ve been missing and need to catch up on. Robert E. Howard was H. P. Lovecraft’s frequent real-world correspondent, and they shared some real-world as well as fictional creepy tendencies. Artist Nathan Fox and colorist Dave Stewart worked closely together—especially for the ghost creatures that appear throughout the book and kind of steal the show for me. If you look at the cover for the Pigeons From Hell graphic novel, you’ll see not only the main plantation house where horrible events have occurred and the moon above it, but you’ll see a flock of pigeons forming the head and face of one of the ghost creatures. These “moving ink blot” creatures dominated most of this project’s early production discussions and plenty of test images were made on them (and the surprise guest who appears later and sports similar effects) to get them just right." -Philip, Senior Editor
Notes on a Case of Melancholia, or: A Little Death HC
Age Range 12+
"A is for Amy who fell down the stairs…
If you were to take one of Edward Gorey’s scenes from The Gashlycrumb Tinies—or any of his works, really—and spin a larger story out of that one scene, you’d get something very like Nicholas Gurewitch’s Notes on a Case of Melancholia. Gurewitch channels Gorey’s trademark pen-and-ink, Victorian style perfectly in this expressive, mostly-wordless book. Death is depressed and seeks counseling because his young heir doesn’t appear to be interested in taking up the family business of reaping the souls of the living. However, all is not as it seems, and Gurewitch’s signature dark humor shines through the twist ending. Death’s little protégé is adorable, and there are cats tucked into many of the illustrations as Gorey himself might well have done. The illustrations are black and white with occasional pops of bright magenta.
Highly recommended for any fans of Edward Gorey, Nicholas Gurewitch and his Perry Bible Fellowship comics, and lovers of dark gallows humor and Gothic illustration. Notes on a Case of Melancholia is a perfect book to read this Halloween season from a cozy armchair, warm beverage at hand, with a cat dozing nearby—though be sure to stay alert for any calamities that might befall you." -Cara, Social Media Manager
Age Range 12+
"I was looking through our catalog, trying to pick a favorite for a suggestion when I hit on this title, and felt like re-reading it. When I feel like revisiting an older comic, it’s a good sign. I think Brody’s Ghost has a lot of what makes comics fun in it: it’s a bit raw, it’s fun and fast-paced, it has likable characters, and that kind of adolescent appeal to the 14-year-old in me: It’s the story of a washed-up slob who, after getting his life ruined, trains hard, earns super psychic powers and killer martial arts skills, and battles evil-doers with the help of a (problematically?) sexy teenage ghost in a quest for revenge. Power fantasy! Revenge fantasy! Sexy ghost fantasy! It’s a triple threat! The paneling and art are creative and dynamic, and they work together to serve up cool action sequences, psychic visions, and ghostly hijinks. I also like that it’s written and illustrated by the same guy, who invested a bunch of time and effort to tell this story. I think what sets the story apart, though, is that for all its adolescent appeal it also has an unexpected undercurrent of maturity about accepting your failures and traumas, overcoming them (or not), and becoming a better, or at least a different person. It’s a good, quick, engaging read with fun characters and plenty of action." -Justin, Senior Graphic Designer
Age Range 16+
"The Whispering Dark does an excellent job of toying with the perception of reality. Not only the characters’ perception of reality—are these experiences real, or is this the "go-pills" talking?—but your own perception, as the reader, of the story’s reality as it unfolds. The series plays out very cinematically, following the inner monologue of main character Hannah Vance as she leads her team of Rangers through enemy territory. It gives a lot of depth to what appears to be a war story, but as the sinister, Lovecraftian madness starts to emerge, you begin to realize that nothing is at all what it seems. The Whispering Dark is perfect for adults who want a good slow-burn horror movie in comic form. Highly recommended for the spooky season!" -Rikki, PrePress Technician
Mr. Higgins Comes Home / Our Encounters with Evil
Age Range 14+
"Confession: It's always Halloween in my house. But fall is the season for "cozy horror," Victorian-style eerie mysteries and hauntings in dark and lonely places, with maybe just a touch of humor or reassurance. And there's no better source for that than Mr. Higgins Comes Home and Our Encounters with Evil, two knockout collaborations between Mike Mignola and Warwick Johnson-Cadwell. Monster hunters extraordinaire Professor Meinhardt, Mr. Knox, and Ms. Van Sloan investigate strange doings in dark woods, small villages, and crumbling castles, uncovering the surprising stories behind unfortunate werewolves, dueling vampire nobles, and much more! Rendered in Johnson-Cadwell's signature loose, expressive style and with a quirky sense of reassurance, readers 14+ (there is a bit of illustrated gore) can indulge in these creepy, creative tales without feeling too much fear once the lights go out. Join Meinhardt, Knox, and Van Sloan for some uniquely innovative and endearing takes on the horror genre!" -Jenny, Assistant Editor
Age Range 16+
"Truth is not only stranger than fiction, but much more disturbing. For those binging on true crime documentaries this quarantine, this is the story that will send a chill down your spine and have you feeling appreciate you’re alive to feel it. History is rife with abhorrent figures, and for one to have taken advantage of the chaos and turmoil of war-torn Paris under Nazi occupation, reminds you once again of the cruelty humans are capable of. Crime is sometimes viewed as a spectacle, and the responses to these acts of violence can be equally appalling—this story is representative of such. Writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Dean Kotz perfectly capture the horror of this crime thriller based on true events." -Judy, Assistant Editor
Age Range 16+
"I grew up obsessed with classic horror films. Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, and Boris Karloff were truly my monster squad. So, I was beyond excited when I read the premise for David Dastmalchian’s Count Crowley. I mean, the lead heroine is a late-night horror host battling addiction and real-life monsters! Need I say more? There’s a lot more at the heart of Count Crowley than just bloodthirsty ghouls and booze. It's a powerful story about unearthing one's inner superhero. We all have hidden strengths we never realized until we’re put to the test. And if 2020 has taught me anything, it’s that we’re all capable of surviving, adapting, and (hopefully) looking out for each other in profound and powerful ways. In scary, uncertain times we discover what we’re made of. That’s definitely the case in this superbly stylish story. It’s fun, it’s scary, often hilarious, and ultimately empowering! Couple this with the jaw-dropping art by Lukas Ketner, and breathtaking colors by Lauren Affe, this is a Halloween must-read!" -Kelly, Digital Marketing Manager
Age Range 16+
"It’s spooky time again! Christopher Cantwell and I.N.J. Culbard have crafted something intriguing, something unexpectedly full of dread. This story is about Holland, Michigan. A normal mid-western town that is invaded by what appears to be a superstore named Everything. Of course, Everything isn’t as it seems. Soon after Everything opens it’s doors for business, strange things start to happen. It's got spontaneous combustion, Toto’s hit single Hold the Line, acoustic algorithms, and hexadecimal code… Yeah, things are definitely not right. Culbard’s artwork pairs well with the insidiously frightful plot that Cantwell pens. The scenes are allowed to breathe, taking their time, slowly pulling back the curtain to the mystery that is Everything. It’s a great slow burn, heading toward an unspeakable horror. Will the people of Holland open their eyes to Everything’s true nature before it’s too late? Four stars! Despite the manager being rude, I would shop there again." Arc, Digital Sales Manager
“There is perhaps no other story that is as heartfelt, moving, and entirely enthralling as the adventures and struggles of Emmy, Bernice, and all the other residents of Harrow County in the titular Harrow County. And their wellbeing and happiness—or rather the threats both supernatural and human to those—is what makes Harrow County truly horrifying. Plus, there’s a skinless boy rendered in watercolor and like, that’s a wild thing to see. I can’t recommend this series enough. Read it. Do it for the skinless boy." Anthony, PR Coordinator
Age Range 14+
"Blackwood is the perfect mixture of spooky locations and teenage angst, recalling classic horror movies from the 70s and 80s. Evan Dorkin never disappoints, and this series is a perfect entry point to his work, as well as an entry point to the horror genre for YA audiences. In addition, the artwork from Veronica and Andy Fish is some of the best in comics today. Veronica’s character and creature designs tell stories all their own, and the uniqueness of each of the teen protagonists stick in your brain as you continue forward, allowing the reader to connect to each very easily. Very spooky and fun in tone, this is a read for the Halloween season that I’ve found myself going back to each year." -Brett, Editor
Age Range 14+
"The first volume of the dark fantasy trilogy from José Antonio Cotrina that took Europe by storm! Twelve teenagers from around the world journey to a mystical realm of devastation and cruelty where they must survive until the Red Moon rises. Welcome to Rocavarancolia—where terror awaits, shadows consume, and mercy is given to no one. Essential for lovers of YA fantasy!" -Judy, Assistant Editor
Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare before Christmas: The Story of the Movie in Comics
Age Range 8+
"Return to Tim Burton’s timeless Halloween tale that spans across generations! This year I think we can all relate to Jack Skellington's melancholy, but let’s not fret, bring the joy of Halloween and Christmas together for a spooky celebration! Relive seeing this classic film for the first time—remind yourself “What’s this?” and share the fun with your kids, friends, and even the oogie boogies in your life." -Judy, Assistant Editor