Dark Horse Comics has announced a few new series that will be added to their upcoming slate. A new four-issue miniseries for the Hellboy universe called Castle Full of Blackbirds is coming out soon alongside a new Star Wars comic titled Star Wars™: Hyperspace Stories, which will feature stories in every era of the Star Wars timeline. It's been a great year for Dark Horse Comics as they continue pushing out great stories with incredible artwork.
Dark Horse Comics has been around since the 80s and has published thousands of comics, and the new additions keep adding more to the list. Many comics they have published are held in high regard in the comic book community and have a loyal fan base. Some have even been made into films. And due to their excellent selection, Ranker has listed the best comic book titles that Dark Horse has published.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes. Some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Hellboy
Many know him as the big red half-demon that Nazi cultists summoned or the half-demon that Ron Perlman portrayed at the beginning of the movie franchise. No matter how readers/viewers discovered him, it's clear that Hellboy is a well-known comic book character that continues to entertain its viewers.
This is one of the many comics adapted into a film(s). Hellboy and the many intriguing villains in the story have captured an audience with the character designs and story. The comic has plenty of dark scenes with enough humor to spare giving it a spot as one of Dark Horse's best comic books published, and with the following that Hellboy has, it's no surprise it's one of the top ten listed.
Sin City
Amongst the comics adapted into a film(s), Sin City is an excellent example of an intense storyline featuring multiple main characters done well. And as one of the best Neo-Noir movies and dark comic book series, Frank Miller's Sin City has developed a huge following.
Sin City's unique art style uses the black and white noir theme, and in some instances, only specific bright colors are shown. These colors include but are not limited to red lipstick or Ethan Roark's yellow skin. The main characters each have a story to tell and some attachment to one another, big or small. These are only a few reasons this comic is a favorite for Frank Miller fans and those who support Dark Horse Comics.
Black Hammer
When it comes to superheroes in comics, most of the time, they usually go by a secret identity and take on living an everyday life and fighting crime when they need to. But in the comic Black Hammer, the heroes are not given a choice.
As a tribute to superhero comics that author Jeff Lemire grew up reading, Lemire puts together a story about former superheroes having to play house together while trying to escape the purgatory they are stuck in.
After being banished from existence after a multiversal crisis, these heroes are forced to live a simplistic lifestyle. With the intriguing events and storyline, Black Hammer has become a popular comic and a great tribute to the superhero comics that Lemire enjoys.
The Umbrella Academy
Adapted into a hit Netflix series, the comic The Umbrella Academy has gained a lot of attention and new fans. This series is going into its third season which will be premiering on June 22nd. But plenty of things from The Umbrella Academy comics still haven't been shown yet. That's where the comic books come in handy.
For those who can't wait for the third season to start, this comic published by Dark Horse provides readers with plenty of great artwork, story, and character designs. The dysfunctional family dynamics and the bizarre powers add an extra layer of entertainment and is a great example of why it was made into a Netflix series, with sites such as Variety stating that back in 2020, the series was one of the most-watched Netflix series.
B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs
In the realm of the Hellboy world, there is one foe that Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman, and other task force agents must go up against without Hellboy's assistance. That foe is frog monsters.
Frog monsters all started due to a massive fungus growing at an abnormal rate. Fungus is not exactly pleasant, to begin with, but it's extremely unpleasant when a person becomes a frog monster because of it. While it's not a long series and is just a small section, the B.P.R.D.: Plague of Frogs is an excellent read for Hellboy fans and those looking for something new.
Harrow County
Written by Cullen Bunn, paired with the artwork of Tyler Crook, Harrow County is a story that takes place in the year 1930 in the South. With its dark setting and Crook's art style, it's a perfect combination of an old-fashioned horror story.
Using folklore, mythology, and the mention or use of witchcraft, Harrow County brings the story together with great dialogue and artwork showing the horrors that the main character Emmy will see and endure while living in the quiet rural southern community she grew up in. Some of the things she encounters include but are not limited to the grotesque appearance of eldritch demons and a world introducing skinless boys. And, of course, the creepy and shady townsfolk who always seem to be around in these settings.
American Gods
Initially starting as a novel, American Gods has gone from being a novel to a comic book series to a TV show. And the comic not only does the story justice but also has wonderful artwork to go along with it.
After losing his wife and best friend, whom his wife was having an affair with, ex-convict Shadow is left devastated and later takes on the job as a bodyguard to con man Mr. Wednesday. And during their travels across America, Shadow is introduced to the acquaintances of Mr. Wednesday. The story of their travels and of those they meet is not only captivating but well written earning its much-deserved popularity.
300
Aside from Sin City making it to theaters, Frank Miller has also found success in the movie industry with his comic 300. Fans loved the film with its slow-motion action sequences and over-the-top acting that led to a parody and plenty of good memes.
It's no secret that the film nor the comic is not an accurate depiction of the time period. And while the history buffs may not have liked it, the fans who read the comics and enjoyed the art flocked to see the film adaptation. The film follows the same premise of the comic, including the comic's depiction of Xerxes, and it is just as action-packed and well-made as the movie and is another popular story that readers should check out.
Usagi Yojimbo
One comic that has gained quite a bit of attention might surprise some readers. Usagi Yojimbo that Dark Horse Comics published found a following that has continued to grow since first published in 1987.
Originally Usagi Yojimbo was supposed to be a human story. However, when drawing a topknot, the comic book artist Stan Sakai drew rabbit ears, leading to the entire cast of characters being anthropomorphic creatures. This well-made fantasy anthropomorphic comic where the samurai rabbit takes on his enemies continues to attract readers and continues to be one of the most popular comics published by Dark Horse.
Aliens: Dead Orbit
The Alien franchise is well known amongst Sci-Fi/Horror fans with a massive fan base. And with its popularity, novels and comics were made revolving around the story the franchise created. One of these comics is called Aliens: Dead Orbit.
Aliens: Dead Orbit was a short comic series created by James Stokoe and takes place on Sphacteria, a Weyland-Yutani fuel depot/waystation, in 2295 CE. After an accident, an engineer officer is forced to survive against the xenomorphs with only a few items. The comic was praised by comic book critics and became a welcomed part of the Alien franchise by fans.