The slasher subgenre is undoubtedly the most beloved in horror. Whether it’s ’80s cheese, horror comedy, or a film that takes itself a little more seriously, we can’t help but love them all. In the summertime, we turn to seasonal flicks such as Sleepaway Camp, Friday the 13th, The Burning, Tourist Trap, and Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. When things start to cool off, it’s time for spooky season classics like Halloween, Trick ‘r Treat, Terrifier, Murder Party, and The Houses October Built before watching Black Christmas for the 500th time.
Fans of slashers have countless films to watch, and we also have plenty to read, thanks to some talented writers and artists. You can’t go wrong with any of these five slasher comics if you’re searching for an excellent title to start binging.
Maniac of New York
Publisher: AfterShock Comics
Writer: Elliott Kalan
Artist: Andrea Mutti
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
While Friday the 13th comics exist, they can be hard to find and not budget-friendly. A great alternative is Maniac Harry, straight from New York City. Think of Maniac of New York as what Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan could have been if Jason actually took Manhattan.
Maniac Harry is a mysterious masked killer with the supernatural ability to escape death while slaying New Yorkers, similar to zombie Jason Voorhees in later films (post-Friday the 13th Part III). Maniac of New York is a satirical look at fake news, governmental red tape, and a society devoid of empathy. There’s also plenty of urban murder and mayhem.
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In January 2023, Maniac Of New York: Don’t Call It a Comeback was released, with Maniac Mary continuing the story and bloodshed.
Harrower
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Justin Jordan
Artist: Brahm Revel
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
This next title in our slasher comics list takes us away from the Big Apple and to the town of Barlowe, New York. Residents are all too familiar with the boogeyman as each generation discovers the unsettling truth that some urban legends are true. While some in Barlowe will scoff at the possibility of the Harrower being real, teenager Jessa Brink and her friends come face to face with the seemingly immortal killer. Along the way, they learn the truth behind their town’s history.
Harrower mixes family turmoil, creepy small-town lore, a disturbing mystery, and plenty of slasher comics goodness into just four issues. With elements of classic films and Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery, it is an excellent series to binge. Just beware of the Sinner’s Mark, for it summons “the avenger that keeps Barlowe pure.”
Where Monsters Lie
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Piotr Kowalski
Colorist: Vladimir Popov
Cover Artist: Piotr Kowalski, Vladimir Popov
Although even the most prolific killers appear to require no break between sprees, Where Monsters Lie shows this is not true. Wilmhurst is where slashers go to recharge. Pearl and her ventriloquist dummy Franky, the Jigsaw-inspired Puzzleman, Richard the terrifying clown, the Hannibal-like Packrat, and others live in this gated neighborhood, complete with an HOA. Things are going well until a survivor of Puzzleman’s traps goes to the police, and Wilmhurst is discovered.
This is a fun topic to explore, and fans of meta-horror comedy, such as Leslie Vernon, will enjoy it. It’s also entertaining to witness the different types of killers and their delightfully odd social interactions all wrapped up in a revenge story.
The Nasty
Publisher: Vault Comics
Writer: John Lees
Artist: George Kambadais
Colorist: George Kambadais
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Cover Artist: Tim Daniel, George Kambadais
It’s no secret among listeners of The Horror Geek Podcast that John Lees is one of our favorite creators of horror comics. His most recent, The Nasty, centers on a teenager named Thumper who has an enormous imaginary friend who looks like the slashers he enjoys. After he and his friends promise to deliver an elusive video nasty to a film festival for a screening but fail to have it, they decide to make their own.
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The series pays homage to the genre, the era of video nasties, and physical media. Also, keep an eye out for posters in the background. There are some fun ones to discover!
Bad Reception
Publisher: AfterShock Comics
Writer/Artist/Colorist/Letterer: Juan Doe
Gaia is a famous star and influencer whose wedding will be the decade’s biggest social experiment. She and her husband, Blaise, who wrote a best-selling book about the benefits of occasionally going “off the grid,” have decided on a small ceremony in an undisclosed remote location. Devices are not permitted and will be secured in a safe so temptation doesn’t get the best of their attendees.
However, someone is taking advantage of the situation and stalking the wedding party and guests one by one. The attacker seems focused on the victims’ social media metrics and brands them with a hashtag. Bad Reception is another on our slasher comics list that takes on the absurd aspects of influencer culture and social media while having a bloody good time.
