10 Horror Comics That Must Be Read In Summer 2026

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Halloween is strongly linked with autumn, making it the most popular time for horror. But true horror fans know that some of the scariest movies and experiences actually happen during the summer.

Summer 2026 promises a wave of scares, both in theaters and in comic books! From Damian McCarthy’s Hokum to the newest Evil Dead Burn installment, horror fans will have plenty to enjoy on the big screen. And don’t forget the chilling new horror comics heading to bookstores – there’s a frightful fix for everyone!

John Carpenter, the acclaimed director of iconic films like the original Halloween and The Thing, is known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. While he’s also created some memorable horror comics recently, his biggest project yet is coming out this summer.

Coming August 4, 2026, this new story centers on an abandoned church and a Los Angeles police lieutenant who believes a terrifying evil within its walls caused her father’s death. The idea originated from a nightmare experienced by its creator, John Carpenter, who is also composing the music. He’s co-writing the comic book with his wife, Sandy King, and Sean Sobczak, with artwork by Federico De Luca and Luis Guaragna. It’s a collaboration with Storm King Comics.

David Dastmalchian is an actor known for his work in both comic book movies, like his early role in The Dark Knight, and horror films, including a leading part in Late Night with the Devil. What many don’t realize is that he’s also a comic book author, having written titles like Count Crowley: Reluctant Midnight Monster Hunter and his newer work, Through.

I’m really excited about this new comic coming out! It’s about a kid trying to survive in a messed-up future where monsters basically rule everything. The first issue of this four-part series drops on July 15th from Dark Horse Comics, and it’s cool because it reunites the writer from that Headless Horsemen Halloween Annual with Leah Kilpatrick. Plus, the art is by Soo Lee, who’s won a Bram Stoker Award, and Frank Cvetkovic is doing the lettering, so it’s a seriously talented team!

James Tynion IV is a well-known comic book writer, famous for his work on titles like Batman. However, he’s also highly praised for his horror comics, especially Something is Killing the Children. Boom! Studios has already expanded that series with spin-offs like House of Slaughter and Books of Slaughter, and another one is planned for release on May 6, 2026.

The new comic series, Fall of the House of Slaughter, focuses on the organization that trains monster hunters as they face a crisis: the Old Dragon, their leader, is getting weaker, and Cecelia Slaughter is searching for someone to take his place. The story is written by Tate Bombral, a familiar name to fans of the ‘Slaughterverse,’ and features artwork by Adriano Turtulici, who previously worked on You’ll Do Bad Things.

Charlie Adlard became a celebrated comic book artist after taking over the artwork for The Walking Dead. Now, the English artist is returning to Image Comics in 2026 with a fresh horror tale called Of the Earth.

A new comic book series by writers Chris Condon and Andrew Ehrich tells the story of a woman running from her past who discovers a strange and potentially alien danger in the town of Solitude, Texas. Condon describes the six-part series as a scary, environmentally-conscious story, blending the style of the film Blood Simple with the suspense of The Thing. The first issue will be released on May 20th.

Skybound, a division of Image Comics, is now publishing comics featuring iconic horror characters – the Universal Monsters. This new series offers fresh takes on classic horror films, such as a reimagining of Dracula by James Tynion IV and a story starring Frankenstein’s Monster as portrayed by Boris Karloff, written by Michael Walsh, the author of The Silver Coin.

The latest issue updates the classic curse from the 1941 film, The Wolf Man, for a new generation. Written by Joshua Williamson with art by Leomacs and Pip Martin, the story follows a man who discovers he might be to blame for a terrible mass killing that happened at a full moon party. It’s scheduled for release on June 24, 2026.

Image Comics is known for publishing unique and thought-provoking stories that often deal with relatable anxieties disguised as strange concepts. Their latest series, The Eye Collector, by writer Jonathan Ball and artist GMB Chomichuk, continues this tradition.

Image Comics is positioning this new series, about a mysterious, ancient entity focused on Earth, as a blend of its own comic The Department of Truth and the atmospheric style of Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation. Creator Ball suggests the series will also have a similar unsettling feel to the work of David Lynch, and it kicks off with a disturbing reimagining of the Apollo 10 mission. It’s set to launch on June 24, 2026, and promises a multi-generational story with a twist on historical events.

Rob Williams is a comic book writer famous for his work on titles like Judge Dredd, Suicide Squad, and several Star Wars comics. In 2026, he’s releasing a new four-part series called Hidden Springs through Dark Horse Comics, which he describes as different from anything he’s done before.

Coming out on May 13, 2026, this story centers around a group of elderly retirees who find a baby kaiju during a retreat. They decide to secretly protect it from the world. The comic also features artwork by Nil Vendrell, coloring by Berta Sastre, and lettering by Simon Bowland, and leans more towards science fiction fun than outright horror.

Dark Horse Comics knows that while some people enjoy stories about friendly monsters, there’s also a big audience for truly terrifying ones. That’s why horror fans will be excited to hear about the upcoming comic Only the Savage are Left, scheduled for release in 2026.

I’m really excited about this new five-issue comic series coming out June 3rd! It reminds me a lot of , with this young hero on a quest to find the one he loves, but the world is totally wrecked and full of dangerous creatures. What’s cool is that the writer, Zach Kaplan, along with artist Stefano Raffaele and colorist Thiago Rocha, have a really interesting take on the monsters. They aren’t just monsters, they’re actually people who turned into beasts because of a virus that spread worldwide. It’s a really unique twist!

James Tynion IV isn’t writing the Fall of the House of Slaughter spin-off, even though he created the popular Something is Killing the Children series. But he will be releasing a brand new horror comic called Odin in 2026.

The new nine-episode series arrives on May 20th and, despite sharing a name with a famous Marvel character’s father, tells a different story. It centers on Adela, who tries to observe a Norwegian ritual meant to summon the Norse God. Instead, she and the group she infiltrates – a gathering of neo-Nazis – accidentally unleash another supernatural creature. The series is written by Marguerite Bennett, with art by Letizia Cadonici and colors by Jordie Bellaire.

These days, we hear about celebrity troubles more often, or at least see them more publicly. Dark Horse Comics is releasing a new horror comic on May 27, 2026, called Did You Hear About Mimi Green? which will delve into these issues and other current events.

When an old, offensive comment comes to light, a well-known essayist seeks refuge in a secluded mental health facility to weather the resulting social media backlash. However, she quickly realizes the facility isn’t the peaceful retreat she’d hoped for. This dark and unusual story, a comic book debut from podcast host Connor Goldsmith and GLAAD award-winning artist Josh Cornillon, offers a critical look at the realities of the entertainment industry.

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2026-03-28 21:10