5 Current Horror Comics to Read if You're New to Horror Comics

Mixing the best parts of both film and written horror, graphic novels are able to bring new twists and stories to the genre. Since the renaissance in the 40s and 50s, horror comics and graphic novels continue to build on their predecessors. In this day and age, new life has been breathed into the horror comics genre and a large part of my subscription list at my local comic book store is horror titles.

If you have never read a horror comic or if you’ve never read a comic, but love horror and want to explore the genre in a new form instead of watching The Thing for the thousandth time, here's a list of some of the best ongoing horror series on your local comic book store’s shelves. Most of these have a manageable amount of issues out so you can catch up on the action quick. Let us know what your favorite horror comics are in the comments.

1. Wytches

Writer: Scott Snyder | Artist: Jock | Publication Date: Oct. 2014

Wytches lets you know exactly what you are in for the minute you start this series. It begins with a woman stuck in a tree, mouth up against a knot, asking for help. Her nose has been cut off. You are not told why she is in this situation or what brought her to it. The woman’s son approaches the tree. She begs him to help her but all the boy says is, “pledged is pledged,” before bashing her head in with a rock. Not only does Wytches push you into the action in the first issue, writer Scott Snyder wastes no time delving into horrors that aren’t monster-related: from bullying, alcoholism, to moving to a new town. It focuses half of the story on the scary things we face every day and monsters we cannot see, with the other half dedicated to the real danger of the witches, which are brought to a terrifying reality with Jock’s amazing artwork and Matt Hollingsworth’s outstanding coloring.

2. Afterlife with Archie

Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa | Artist: Francesco Francavilla | Publication Date: Oct. 2013

No list would be complete without Afterlife with Archie. When everyone’s favorite teenage witch, Sabrina Spellman brings Jughead’s dog, Hot Dog, back from the dead, it causes an unprecedented change in Hot Dog’s demeanor. Now a zombie, Hot Dog infects Jughead with the curse and, if you’ve seen any kind of zombie media ever, it all snowballs from there. This comic took off, selling out every issue that’s been released. For good reason, too. Mixing the art style of horror comics from the 50s with a modern twist to some classic Archie characters, Afterlife brilliantly showcases what you can do with the horror genre and manages to remain fresh in a bloated zombie market.

3. Clean Room

Writer: Gail Simone | Artist: Jon Davis-Hunt | Publication Date: Oct. 2015

Clean Room is an interesting combination of things that might not work if done by a less experienced writer. But in the hands of Gail Simone, the book shines and delivers a truly creepy story about Chloe Pierce, a reporter for a small town newspaper, who is investigating a cult-like self-help organization and the part they played in her fiancé’s suicide. A tour-de-force writer, Simone weaves a tale that is one part creepy cult story and one part ghost story and is held up by memorable characters, as well as some truly disgusting panels (and I mean that in a good way) drawn by Jon Davis-Hunt.

4. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa | Artist: Robert Hack | Publication Date: Oct. 2014

The creepiest take yet on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina follows Sabrina Spellman as she faces the decision to either stay a witch or become a mortal forever. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa reinvigorated these characters we’ve known for decades, giving them a creepier spin than their original portrayals, while also being truthful to the fears of growing up, being a teenager, and struggling to find your way. His writing and dialogue flow effortlessly and the stunning and downright creepy art by Robert Hack harkens back to horror comics from the 40s and 50s.

5. The Vision

Writer: Tom King | Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta | Publication Date: Nov. 2015

The Vision is a detour from the first four series mentioned. Published by Marvel Comics, The Vision tells the story of the Avenger, Vision, and the almost Sims-esque family he created for himself as they go about their daily lives, trying to be human. It doesn’t sound very interesting from a broader view, but the execution is outstanding and very, very creepy. Most of the creep factor comes from the narrator, whose impartial view of what is happening on the pages is simply unnerving. It describes events in the most uninterested way, like when it mentioned how one of the Visions would burn down their neighbor’s house, killing the couple inside. With stellar writing by Tom King and a stark art style from Gabriel Hernandez Walta, The Vision delivers an interesting story about what it means to be human, while also giving the reader the shivers.

~ Kat

One of The Bloodlust's new contributors, Kat's introduction to horror began like most people's: trips to Blockbuster with friends, grabbing whatever has the scariest cover. Since then, it's Halloween every day in Kat's world! Scary books, comics, video games, and yes, horror movies are a regular feature. When not using pillows as a horror sheild, Kat is a freelance writer who lives with her fiance and two cats.

5 Underrated Horror Heroines

Hello! As a big supporter of awesome female characters in horror, I took it upon myself to compile my list of underrated carriers of the XX chromosome.

5. Elise Rainier (Insidious)

What a badass! Using her intense psychic powers, Elise helps families in need by dealing with the spectral creepy-crawly entities reaching out from “the further.” She also happens to look like a boss whilst doing so. Elise barely breaks a sweat and rarely loses her cool. This is obviously the gal you want in your corner when tormented souls or spooky red and black colored demons are bothering you.

4. Samantha (House of the Devil)

You can’t help but feel a little bit bad for poor Sam. Sure, it seems weird to accept a gig “watching” an elderly woman when you were set up to think you’ll be babysitting small children. But then there was the allure of free pizza and that rental deposit deadline looming. I can relate, Sam! Anyway, once she gets into trouble on this fateful night, Sam isn’t going down easy. She proves to be a fighter and a survivor. Not to mention a killer dancer.

3. Lorraine Warren (The Conjuring)

Here we have another psychic helper, just like Elise. But you know what makes Lorraine even cooler? She’s a real life person who turned 89 this year! Lorraine bravely squares off against evil in order to aid and defend the innocent. Bravo, sister!

2. Melanie Daniels (The Birds)

Played by the exquisite Tippi Hedren, Melanie is a dry-humored, practical joker trying to prove to the world she’s not some playgirl spoiled brat. Then she happens to get caught up in a bird-pocalypse along the way. She witnesses some crazy stuff and holds it together for a pretty long time. And lest we forget, she saves the school children from a particularly nasty feathered flock. Lesser women would have crumbled to pieces much sooner under the pressure.

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Oh, wait! Before we get to #1, let me give credit to some honorable mentions…Thanks, ladies, for almost making the cut.

Liz Taylor! I didn’t want to venture in TV land for this list, but I cannot get the amazing Liz Taylor from American Horror Story: Hotel out of my mind! She’s a smart, loving, wise-cracking broad who is tough as nails. No matter what life and that crazy-ass hotel threw at her, Liz stayed golden.

Next, sisters Callie and Tricia from Absentia. I had a hard time choosing which of these brave and flawed ladies I admired more. Then I realized they’re just even better as a packaged deal. I liked how realistic these characters felt to me, as individuals and as siblings.

And here is the darling Emily from Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. Emily is a whacky, fun, beautiful, and ultimately selfless romantic heroine. Animated or not, she’s a treasure to the horror realm.

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And now, I give you my #1 pick! Drum roll please…

1. Dani (Hocus Pocus)

Last but not least! This little moppet is the quintessential 90’s cool kid. She’s a tough little cookie with a heart of gold. Plus, she loves Halloween like every true horror fan does. Awesome witch costume? Check. Comic relief? Yes. Brave? Yup. Wise cracks? You know it. Perhaps it goes without saying that she is SO much cooler than her lame brother Max and is the real hero of this Halloween story.

Sandra is a The Bloodlust contributor and has been a fan of scary books, movies, and spooky true tales since a young age. Her favorite types of horror are supernatural/paranormal, horror-scifi hybrids, classics from the 1960’s or earlier, and anything with a cult in it. Sandra is a married ghoul happily owned by a spoiled cat. When not immersing herself in the macabre, she’s usually running, crafting, playing with creepy dolls, and watching either Disney or sports.

~ Sandra (@LilMsMnstr)

5 Dark Horror Movies About Motherhood

Arguably, there is no bigger transformation in this life than becoming a mother. I’ve heard friends describe it as having your heart running around outside of your body. That sounds terrifying, and there are tons of horror movies out there with themes of all aspects of motherhood. If you ask me, the real horror story is what happens to your body when you get pregnant (I know it’s a beautiful miracle, but it’s also pretty intense). With Mother’s Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to take a look at 5 horror movies with themes about motherhood, pregnancy, or the lack thereof:

1. Proxy (2013) Not Rated

Directed by Zak Parker, Written by Zak Parker and Kevin Donner

Proxy is the story of 3 people who have suffered the loss of a child. Whoof, heavy stuff. I’m going to be honest, it doesn’t get any lighter from here on out. I caught sight of Proxy when it was on Netflix, and I’m glad I gave it the two tries it required to enjoy this little treat. Premiering at the Toronto Film Festival in 2013, it received generally favourable reviews but it’s got one of those tricky endings that tends to polarize people.
At the film’s open we are introduced to Esther, quite visibly pregnant, being viciously attacked by an unknown assailant. Her unborn baby is killed in the attack and through her grief over the loss, Esther comes to join a support group. There she is received by like-minded people who may not be what they seem. I enjoyed the drama and suspense of Proxy, and relished in some scandalous ideas about the lengths people will go - and actions they can forgive - for the people they love. I recommend it, with an open mind.

2. Rosemary's Baby (1968) Rated R

Written (screenplay) and Directed by Roman Polanski

Of course, the first title that comes to my mind when I think of motherhood is Rosemary’s Baby. A well-known classic, and one of my favourite films of all time. Rosemary’s Baby tells the tale of a young couple moving into a new apartment building. Shortly after their occupancy, Rosemary becomes pregnant, and things start to spiral from there. Mia Farrow’s portrayal of a whisper-thin mother-to-be descending into paranoia at the hands of her neighbours is perfect. Her innocence and determination adds a plausibility to the idea of what could go on inside the mind of a young mother who listens to her sixth sense. Or her 666th sense. Get it? Heh heh. I definitely recommend this one, it’s a must.

3. Antichrist (2009) Not Rated

Written and Directed by Lars Von Trier

If you’ve never watched a Lars Von Trier movie, this one probably shouldn’t be your first. That being said, Antichrist has some of the strongest themes about motherhood I can think of. It wrestles with the darkest ideas of what it means to be a mom, and thoughts nobody wants to talk about. Of course, that’s only if your brain can get past the bizarre animal symbolism and graphic genital “situation”. Antichrist begins with another unfortunate child death (which takes place while the kid is unsupervised due to some passionate marital bliss). While recovering from this trauma, the couple heads to the woods where things get crazy. Mainly, she gets crazy. If we know anything by now, it’s that bad things happen in the woods. Charlotte Gainsbourg, as always, approaches her role with a fearlessness I can only admire. This is just a movie I can’t stop talking about. Watch it so I have somebody to talk to.

4. Grace (2009) Rated R

Written and Directed by Paul Solet

I have to admit, the cover of Grace used to give me the heebie jeebies at the video store (remember when we had video stores?) so I avoided it for a long time. Babies already kind of creep me out, so the idea of one that gets sustenance from a bottle full of blood is less than appealing. However, one viewing was enough to show me the other side of the “devoted parent.” Grace, of course, is the name of the unborn (and deceased) child inside of Madeline who insists on carrying to term. After the delivery, her baby comes back to life with an unusual appetite. For blood. Clearly Madeline is the type of doting mother who will go to the next level to care for her child, and the level after that. It’s gross guys, and it’s not that good. I don’t recommend it. But it’s a good creepy example of a deranged mother’s devotion to her child.

5. Inside (2007) Rated R

Written and Directed by Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury

Who doesn’t love a little bit of French extremism? Everything’s better in France. The food, the wine, the shocking and unrelenting gore. Inside is a story about a young pregnant woman who survives a devastating crash and is then harassed by a woman who wants her unborn child. Things are not going well for her. I’ve had this movie recommended to me several times, so I finally had the chance to check it out. I think we can say right off the bat there’s some questionable baby CGI happening reminiscent of an early 00s music video. Somehow this doesn’t completely detract from the film. I seem to remember watching a similar movie around Y2K with Daryl Hannah called Hide and Seek that was like an episode of some kid’s show, comparatively. The gore in this film is shocking, violent and intense. On the other hand, Inside is extremely suspenseful and I found myself suffering through the depravity for that reason alone. Do I recommend it? Sure, why not. At a brisk hour 22 minutes, it’s worth a shot.

I left out some obvious contenders that deserve a mention: Mommy Dearest, Psycho, The Brood, Lyle (internal link), and The Babadook (internal link) to name just a few. Not all of them carry themes as dark as the ones in the list above. Our relationships with our parents is often complicated, so I think we can all relate to the underlying ideas presented in these films whether we’re parents or not. After all, isn’t mankind’s basic instinct to reproduce? Well, not mine as long as I can still get poutine in the middle of the night without having to worry about leaving my child unattended.

Becky is one of The Bloodlust's newest contributors, hailing from the West Coast of Canada, where she resides with her pet rabbit. When she's not devouring horror movies, she spends her time playing video games, cooking, and going to local comedy shows. She enjoys body horror, psychological horror, and anything that makes her feel weird for a few days after.

~ Becky (@bexbz)