Horror Comics are a dark and hypnotic journey into the most unsettling depths of imagination, where terror takes shape on the pages. Starving vampires, unnameable creatures, haunted houses, and psychological nightmares intertwine in stories that don’t just frighten but captivate with macabre atmospheres and disturbing visual details. This genre, born from the union of Gothic narrative and graphic art, is a realm where the grotesque meets the sublime, dragging readers into an experience that oscillates between the thrill of mystery and the anguish of pure terror. Horror comics are not mere readings but windows into universes where fear becomes poetry, and the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, inviting you to lose yourself in their sinister embrace.
ByMicha
Cimiteria, the sexy zombie who seduces and annihilates, stands out as one of the most iconic works of the Italian horror-erotic scene from the Seventies and Eighties. Published by Edifumetto, this series combines gothic storytelling with a sensual aesthetic, bringing to life a unique and captivating character.
ByMicha
If Martin Mystère were to be described in a single sentence, it could be said that he is the perfect blend of pop culture and a fascination with the unknown. Created by Alfredo Castelli and published by Sergio Bonelli Editore in 1982, this comic is a cornerstone of the Italian landscape, combining mystery with a touch of irony and introspection. Martin is a professor of anthropology and archaeology, passionate about science and myths, who dedicates himself to investigating supernatural phenomena and unsolved mysteries, often with a perspective that challenges the boundary between science and magic.
ByMicha
Nathan Never, the long-running Italian comic by Sergio Bonelli Editore, is a journey into science fiction blended with a noir soul, sprinkled with a dash of cosmic pessimism that would make even Philip K. Dick pale. First published in 1991, the comic is set in a dystopian future dominated by technology and social alienation. At its core is Nathan Never, a private investigator haunted by his past and a city that shows no mercy.
ByMicha
Marshal Law is a comic that represented a true watershed in the landscape of superhero stories. Created by Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill, the series debuted in the early ’80s as a dark and violent parody of the genre. Not only did it radically depart from traditional heroic narratives, but it also inspired modern works like The Boys, with which it shares many of its themes and the same cynical and disillusioned view of superheroes. Garth Ennis’s work, in fact, drew inspiration from Marshal Law to explore the idea of superheroes as corrupt and morally ambiguous characters, foreshadowing many of its themes, such as the abuse of power and criticism of consumerist society.
ByMicha
The Boys isn’t your typical superhero comic, and thank goodness for that. If you’re tired of spandex-clad guys rescuing kittens from trees with virtuous stares, then Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson have just what you need. Here, the “supes” aren’t exactly heroes but rather sociopaths chasing glory and personal gratification. Sure, there are explosions, epic fights, and iconic characters, but every page drips with a corrosive critique of the superhero myth and the culture that worships it.
The protagonists? A group of “ordinary men” (though not quite) who decide to teach these arrogant gods a hard lesson. Billy Butcher, the team leader, is the embodiment of well-channeled hatred. A character with the charisma of a London gangster and the subtlety of a truck when it comes to morality. And then there’s Hughie, the unlucky everyman, representing the reader thrown into a world of ultra-violence and razor-sharp wit.
ByMicha
“John Doe” is one of the most iconic works of modern Italian comics, created by Lorenzo Bartoli and Roberto Recchioni. Published between 2003 and 2012 by Eura Editoriale (later Editoriale Aurea), the series is distinguished by its blend of action, irony, and social critique. The concept of following the story of a “Death’s accountant” who decides to rebel against the divine system combines existential themes with a pop and pulp aesthetic.
ByMicha
“Dampyr”, created by Mauro Boselli and Maurizio Colombo in 2000 for Sergio Bonelli Editore, is one of the longest-running and most acclaimed Italian horror comics. The story focuses on Harlan Draka, a dampyr a being half-human and half-vampire, destined to fight against the Masters of the Night, powerful immortal vampires who rule entire territories around the world. Harlan is portrayed as a reluctant hero, marked by the discovery of his true nature and battles against supernatural entities that threaten humankind. From the first issue, there is a commitment to creating a unique mythology that blends European legends with new ideas, offering the audience a dark and engaging atmosphere.
ByMicha
Samuel Stern is an Italian horror series launched in 2019 by Gianmarco Fumasoli and Massimiliano Filadoro for the publishing house Bugs Comics. Set in Edinburgh, the series focuses on Samuel Stern, a bookstore owner with a passion for the occult who has a rather unique occupation: exorcisms.
ByMicha
Brendon, created by Claudio Chiaverotti and published by Sergio Bonelli Editore, is a horror-fantasy series set in a post-apocalyptic world that blends medieval atmospheres with dark and magical elements.
ByMicha
“The Cannibal Family” is one of the Italian horror comics that most stands out for its ability to probe the depths of the human soul, transporting readers into a dark and unredeemable world. Created by Stefano Fantelli and Rossano Piccioni and published by Edizioni Inkiostro, this comic breaks every convention, pushing beyond the limits of traditional horror and leaving a trail of reflection that lingers well beyond the last page. Through the story of a family of cannibals, “The Cannibal Family” explores deeply disturbing themes that intertwine with a ruthless analysis of human nature.