While comic books have frequently inspired horror films, occasionally things go the other way and a terrifying horror movie will get its comic book. Though comic adaptations of movies are common, many horror films have also inspired their ongoing series that have taken the characters in new directions.
Whether it's slasher classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street or tense space thrillers like Alien, there is no shortage of comics based on horror movies. With monsters ripped from the screen and splashed onto the page, there are a lot of comics to keep readers up at night.
Clive Barker's Nightbreed (1990-1993)
Author and filmmaker Clive Barker is no stranger to the comic book medium, and Nightbreed gave fans a chance to learn more about his obscure '90s horror film. The story follows a man who is being tricked by his psychiatrist into believing that he is a serial killer. To escape from the world, he takes refuge in a cemetery where he finds a series of monsters who are also hiding.
Though the film flopped, Clive Barker's fascinating world within the film was enough to keep the comic book running. What was originally intended to be a simple four-issue movie adaptation turned into a full-length series. By further explaining what was made unclear in the film, the comic gave fans a deeper look into the Nightbreed universe.
Pumpkinhead (2018)
Pumpkinhead proved to be a cult hit in the 1990s, and Dynamite Comics decided to tackle the classic monster and give him his limited comic series, decades later. When a driver accidentally kills a pair of children, Pumpkinhead is once again pressed into service to get revenge. However, this particular criminal is protected by seven other demons that represent each of the seven deadly sins.
While Pumpkinhead is still very much a villain, it was interesting to see him cast as the protector as he attempts to take down his demonic brethren. The comic series managed to maintain the central themes of the original film and there is a fair amount of tragedy mixed with the horror story.
Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay (2018-2019)
Occasionally, the comic book medium allows for a do-over, and creators can rectify moments where certain films may have faltered. While Alien 3 was released with many different versions of the film, few succeeded in pleasing viewers. Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay is a comic that drew its storyline directly from a script draft that never saw the light of day.
Drastically different from the film, the comic attempted to fix many of the problems with the movie and it feels like a tighter story overall. Unlike the film, the comic preserves the characters of Newt and Bishop, and they play a much larger role in the story. Like the film though, the comic still features a lot of terrifying Xenomorph action.
Jason Vs. Leatherface (1995)
Topps Comics may not have been the stamp of quality in the 1990s, but in the middle of the decade, they slammed together two of the screen's most terrifying goons. Jason vs. Leatherface finds Jason Voorhees accidentally transported to Texas when Crystal Lake is dredged by land developers. Naturally, he runs across Leatherface, and calamity ensues.
Though silly with its gore and action, Jason vs. Leatherface is a rip-roaring good time for fans of both franchises. Never afraid to "go there" with some of its more gruesome moments, the comic is perhaps gorier than any film could be. While the story might be contrived, it is still a fun time for fans of horror.
Trick 'r Treat: Days Of The Dead (2015)
Few horror sequels have been as wished for as that of the cult Halloween horror classic Trick 'r Treat. While fans are still waiting for the big screen return of their favorite Halloween-obsessed ghoul, Sam, creator Michael Dougherty served up a graphic novel that acts as a spiritual successor to the film. Trick 'r Treat: Days of the Dead is four tales of terror all centered around the spooky holiday.
With Dougherty at the helm, the stories feel fresh and authentic to the vision of the movie. Brought to life through vivid artwork, the comic proves that there is an ocean of spooky opportunities if a sequel to Trick 'r Treat is ever produced.
Freddy Krueger's A Nightmare On Elm Street (1989)
Though horror is usually relegated to smaller publishers, Marvel comics had their fair share of spooky books. Freddy Krueger's A Nightmare on Elm Street was a unique addition to Marvel's lineup and told Freddy-related stories in the magazine format most familiar to fans of Conan the Barbarian.
Though it only lasted two issues, the series was a progressive step for the otherwise wholesome comic imprint. The book featured the main storyline that took up a majority of the pages but also featured a shorter b-plot that let the reader into Freddy's dark backstory.
Friday The 13th: Abuser And The Abused
Infamous slasher Jason Voorhees has been to space, Hell, and everywhere in between. Because of this, comic book series featuring the character often feel redundant. However, the miniseries Friday the 13th: Abuser and the Abused is a unique tale featuring a teen girl who plans to use her hero Jason as a way to get revenge against her dirtbag boyfriend. Unfortunately, she quickly learns the error of her ways when meeting her murderous idol.
Unlike most Jason stories which simply feature the masked man slashing away at sexed-up camp counselors, Abuser and the Abused is a twisted morality tale in the style of EC Comics. Not usually known for its thoughtfulness, the slasher story is a subtle exploration of many themes that aren't typically present in sub-genre.
The Thing From Another World (1991-1992)
Ten years after the release of John Carpenter's classic psychological horror film The Thing, Dark Horse Comics finally gave fans the sequel they were begging for. The Thing From Another World picks up as the film ends and sees MacReady and Child's trek across the arctic tundra in search of another outpost. Unfortunately for them, the alien menace follows them as well.
The original comic series is the perfect mixture of the subtle tension of the film, and the over-the-top action that comic boo3ks are known for. MacReady and Childs are perfectly written and reflect their established characters from the film, and it is interesting to see where the story goes.
Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash (2007-2008)
While Freddy vs. Jason was a fun horror romp on the big screen, Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash took things one step further. The story follows Jason as he wanders the woods with Freddy's soul trapped inside of him. Meanwhile, Ash Williams is called to Crystal Lake where he engages with Jason, thinking he is a deadite.
The book seamlessly blends elements of each franchise and none of the three main characters feel superfluous. The book is as gory as it is funny, and its strange premise seems earned by how far it takes its horror action in a campy direction.
Clive Barker's Hellraiser (1989-1993)
The test of a great franchise is if it can leap into other mediums and still stay as effective as its films are. Hellraiser introduced the general public to author and filmmaker Clive Barker, and fans couldn't get enough of his twisted visions. Clive Barker's Hellraiser was an anthology series that delivered a new story within the Hellraiser mythos in each issue.
The variety of possible stories featured in the comic was its greatest strength, and it was fascinating to see which new directions the book would go in. The variety of cenobites, and the depravity of their actions, are explored to its most nightmarish conclusion in the comic. With a variety of different art styles over the book's run, horror is presented in several different ways.