The Halloween season wouldn’t be complete without some creepy books and comics, so Dark Horse staff members have prepped some of their favorite new books and comics to inspire your reading this season.
Looking to spook-ify your space while you read? Check out our Spotify for playlists like Dark Horse Spooky Synth Horror or Dark Horse Halloween Haunts to create the perfect Halloween reading atmosphere!
Touched By a Demon by Kristen Gudsnuk
“Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is help someone else–unless you’re a demon trying to run a life coaching business on Earth. Bifrons and Zuzu try to gain back holy favor by ‘helping’ mortal souls, but the consequences of their deeds may cancel out any good intent they started with. Dark, humorous, charming, and mildly romantic, this has been one of my favorite stories this year.”—Darby McCann, Prepress Technician
Hidden Springs by Rob Williams, Nil Vendrell, Berta Sastre, and Simon Bowland
“What’s scarier: getting old, or hiding a giant kaiju from the US military? Trick question–the protagonists of Hidden Springs are dealing with both! A nice outing for the embittered residents of Hidden Springs Seniors Home takes a hard left turn when a baby kaiju literally crash-lands in front of them. When it psychically reveals to the group of oldsters the global terror that will be unleashed if the US military captures it, our unlikely human heroes decide to put aside their deep-seated differences to try and get the baby kaiju back to safety in the deep ocean. Of course it’s not that simple, though. Our monster minders are no spring chickens, and even a baby kaiju isn’t exactly easy to hide. But if they can actually pull it off somehow, they have a chance to redeem some of their biggest regrets in life–as well as, y’know, save the world.
“This is easily one of my favorite comics of the year, and it’s got the perfect blend of horror and heartfelt for your best spooky autumn reading. The complete series (issues #1-#4) is available now, and a trade collection will be released January 5, 2027.”—Jenny Bingham-Blenk, Editor
Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In by Joe Bob Briggs, featuring art by Mike Norton
“I’ve never been a big horror fan, but I was a big fan of Joe Bob Briggs’ writing during the 80’s and 90’s. It was very cool and very satisfying to revisit some of his best work in such a fun format.”—Mark Bernardi, VP of Publishing Sales
Hellboy in Hell: Nothing But Blood by Mike Mignola, Cyrille Pomes, and Dave Stewart
“Ten years following the conclusion of the seminal Hellboy in Hell story arc, our favorite herald of the apocalypse returns to stands in more of his hellish adventures in Hellboy in Hell: Nothing But Blood #1! The artwork from Cyrille Pomès and Dave Stewart is stunning, firmly entrenching the reader in the gothic etherealness that is perfect for the spooky season. This first issue of a two issue series hits all of the hallmark Hellboy beats we’ve come to love over the years as he finds himself in a conflict with some winged, demonic beasts, and Roger (pictured here) and I could not be happier with this story.”—Brett Israel, Senior Editor
Gantz by Hiroya Oku
“While not directly a horror series, there are many things in GANTZ that are horrifying. Whether it be the aliens encountered in the GANTZ missions, the limbo of life and death that our characters face, or even the interpersonal relationships formed throughout the series, you can’t go wrong with giving GANTZ a read. The Deluxe Edition releasing next April is easily going to be the best way to experience this story, so make sure to grab your copies!”—Will Woodward, Social Media Associate
Kingdom of Earth by David Dastmalchian, Leah Kilpatrick, Soo Lee, and Frank Cvetkovic
“The monsters are in charge! How very not like the reality we are living in, right?? This post-apocalyptic tale, packed full of an eclectic array of monsters (Bray Road Beasts! Dark Watchers! Clowns! *shudder*), is guaranteed to terrify and delight.”—Tara McCarron, Assistant Editor
Beasts of Burden Omnibus by Evan Dorkin, Jill Thompson, Benjamin Dewey, and more.
“Beasts of Burden is one of my favorite comic series of all time, so I normally recommend it throughout the entire year, but if you haven’t read it yet, spooky season is the perfect time to start! It has a ton of different flavors of horror, from straight up scary to silly and even to sad (shout out to the story “Lost” that makes me cry every time), so there really is something for everyone. If nothing else, you can’t skip out on Jill Thompson and Ben Dewey’s beautiful artwork!” —Kaitlyn Nash, Publicist
Into the Unbeing Library Edition by Zac Thompson and Hayden Sherman
“Horrendously huge horrors await you in the pages of Into the Unbeing Library Edition, and this book’s oversized format can barely contain the dread within. Into the Unbeing centers on a group of climate scientists in the Australian outback who make a discovery that destroys everything they understood about the natural world; a colossal corpse that shouldn’t exist!”—Arc Mission, Digital Sales Manager
And a few more recommendations!
For kids and young adults:
The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos by James Tynion IV, Tate Brombal, Isaac Goohart, Miquel Muerto, and Aditya Bidikar
- LGBTQ+ horror-hero coming-of-age series that follows teenage mad scientist Christopher Chaos as he finds himself in a world of monsters, heroes, and a cult of hunters out to kill them all.
Plants vs. Zombies by Paul Tobin and others
- The confusing-yet-brilliant inventor known as Crazy Dave helps his niece, Patrice, and young adventurer Nate Timely fend off several fun-dead neighborhood invasions! Follow Crazy Dave and his dedicated, gifted plants, as they confront Zomboss and his hordes of clueless zombies!
Young Hellboy by Mike Mignola, Tom Sniegoski, Craig Rosseau, Dave Stewart, and Clem Robins
- Pulp adventures with a young Hellboy.
For adults:
Dracula series by Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones
- Comic book veterans Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones join forces on this new take on the world’s most famous vampire and explore the veiled stories from Dracula, diving into the bloody, horrifying events between the lines of the famed horror novel.
Did You Hear About Mimi Green? by Connor Goldsmith and Josh Cornillon
- A surreal and grisly take on the wellness industry, so-called ‘cancel culture’, body dysmorphia, and the complex power dynamics of show business.
The Goon by Eric Powell
- On Lonely Street, crime is cheap but justice comes at a price, so the Goon and his sidekick Franky defend the neighborhood against crime lords and supernatural ne’er-do-wells alike to keep the neighborhood safe.
Bowling with Corpses and Other Strange Tales from Lands Unknown by Mike Mignola and Dave Stewart
- New folklore-inspired tales abound in this new anthology of fantasy stories written and drawn Hellboy creator Mike Mignola.
- Books by the celebrated Grand Prix at Angoulême recipient and Eisner Award Hall of Famer republished with new material.
Devil on My Shoulder by Kyle Starks and Piotr Kowalski
- Something terrible has happened. For forty days she was tortured by five men and left for dead—but she will get her revenge on each and every one of them. And it will be bloody. An event that takes her on a strange and violent supernatural path of payback through bizarre encounters with ex-hitmen, sadistic art enthusiasts, and literal devils.
Horror Manga
Gou Tanabe’s Adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft
Mob Psycho 100 by ONE
- Follows a psychic boy named Shigeo whose powers threaten to break free unless he represses his emotions.
Hellsing by Kohta Hirano
- Fuses gothic horror, violent action, and dark humor into a tumultuous tornado of terror.
Berserk by Kentaro Miura
- Guts the Black Swordsman relentlessly follows a dark, bloodstained path that leads only to death…or vengeance.
Innocent by Shin’ichi Sakamoto
- A fictionalization of the true life of Charles-Henri Sanson, the “Gentleman of Paris,” who performed nearly three thousand executions in 18th century France.
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service by Eiji Otsuka and Housui Yamazaki
- Five spiritualist students form the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, carrying out the last wishes of their cadaverous clients, so their souls can move on.
And coming soon:
Leonide the Vampyr by Mike Mignola and Rachele Aragno
- These ghoulish stories introduce all-new characters, a new and horrific world, and one unforgettable young vampire.
Marvel’s Mightiest Monsters by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko
- Marvel’s Mightiest Monsters showcases the larger-than-life creatures that helped establish the creative foundation for the Marvel Age of Comics, including iconic monsters like the fire-breathing Fin Fang Foom, the extraterrestrial giant, Goom (along with Googam, Son of Goom), the sentient tree-creature Groot, the colossal Monsteroso, and the telepathic titan, Xemnu.
Marvel’s ’70’s Horror Archives: Vampire Tales Volume 1–1973–1974 by Stan Lee, Chris Claremonth, and more
- Marvel’s ’70s Horror Archives: Vampire Tales Volume 1–1973–1974 is the first in a series of Dark Horse collaborations with Marvel Comics to excavate the dark and hidden corners of the Marvel Universe and re-present them in beautiful archival hardcover editions.
Carmen Red Claw: Belly of the Beast by Mike Mignola and Rae Allen
- A descendant of El Bogavante fights chupacabras, gangsters, and more in this Wild West paranormal adventure!
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror Deluxe Edition by Gou Tanabe
- Continue the descent into horror in the newest volume of Tanabe’s manga adaptations, featuring wraparound cover artwork and more!
The Complete Tales from the Crypt Archive by Bill Gaines, Al Feldstein, Carl Wessler, Graham Ingels, and Wally Wood
- This immense tome of terrible tales contains every shocking story from Tales from the Crypt in a door-stopping hardcover, along with every cover, text piece, and ghoulish illustration from the venerable magazine’s original run along with past forewords from horror luminaries John Carpenter, Bruce Campbell, and more!
Uri Tupka and the Devils: Another Story From Lands Unknown by Mike Mignola
- After his search for the ancient gods ended with answers—but more questions—theologian Uri Tupka travels further to discover the truth about the darkness before the world began, and what it means for mankind.
FML Volume 1: Fire by Kelly Sue DeConnick and David Lopez
- From the Eisner award-winning creators who brought you Captain Marvel, Bitch Planet, and Wonder Woman: Historia comes this genre-busting, apocalyptic odyssey about a group of metal kids who face a medley of bizarre foes and encounters in Portland, Oregon during a worldwide pandemic.
The Complete Rachel Rising by Terry Moore
- When Rachel climbs from a shallow grave with no memory of her death, she sets off a chain of sinister revelations connecting a small town’s past to its violent present. Combining slow-burn horror, dark mystery, and Moore’s trademark character work, Rachel Rising remains one of the most acclaimed horror comics of all time.
Where Monsters Lie Omnibus by Kyle Starks and Piotr Kowalski
- Haven’t you always wondered what slasher monsters–the masked home invasion family, the mindless unkillable monster, the serial killer trapped in a doll–what they do for those couple of years in-between their murder sprees? They’re at Wilmhurst–a gated community in the middle of nowhere where they relax–or try to–until they get the call to go out and kill again.
Nonfiction:
Red Book by James Tynion IV, Michael Avon Oeming, and Tom Napolitano
- Russia, 1961. Nine students die tragically under mysterious circumstances that will come to be known as the Dyatlov Pass Incident. To this day, the true cause of their deaths remains unknown, although some theorize the blame lies with visitors from beyond the stars…
Blue Book by James Tynion IV, Michael Avon Oeming, and Tom Napolitano
- James Tynion IV and Michael Avon Oeming retell some of the most popular UFO and alien encounter accounts starting with two infamous cases: the Betty and Barney Hill abduction and the story of Kenneth Arnold flying over the Pacific Northwest.
Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? (Expanded Edition) by Harold Schechter and Eric Powell
- A meticulously researched portrait of America’s most notorious killer: Ed Gein—the grave-robbing necrophiliac killer whose crimes inspired Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs.
Dr. Werthless by Harold Schechter and Eric Powell
- From the creative team behind the award-winning Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? comes an examination of one of the most polarizing figures in pop culture, Dr. Fredric Wertham.
Source: Dark Horse
