Horror comics by no means reach an audience as widespread as superhero comics, but they certainly have their fanbase. Horror comics and creators have recently undergone something of a resurgence, and directors and artists should take note of it. It's not impossible to assume that certain horror comic books will not soon be in line for some sort of adaptation.

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Some iconic horror comic series have already received live-action counterparts, but these only utilize a small percentage of the potential of what the films could be. Horror titles put a lot of emphasis on grotesque, raw, or bold artwork that would be perfectly adapted into an animated movie. Animated horror may not be as popular as big franchise horror dominating cinemas at Halloween, but any longtime reader of these twisted graphic novels would surely be itching to see them come to animated life.

10 Constantine: Dangerous Habits Would Be A Gripping And Grotesque DC Animated Film

Split of Constantine cover and Dangerous Habits Hellblazer volume

Hellblazer is a great read for anyone who enjoys dark supernatural horror. The original run boasted some terrific grotesque stories, centered on foul-mouth occult detective John Constantine. Whilst Constantine has made a leap to film, TV and animation, his potential remains largely untapped.

Dangerous Habits is a terrific run centered on Constantine’s battle with cancer, and what appears to be him staring mortality in the face. The artwork is atmospheric, the story is raw, and the tone is pitch-perfect. The comic somewhat inspired the Keanu Reeves Constantine film, but it’s never been captured in its full glory. A twisted animated film starring the Arrowverse Constantine, Matt Ryan, would be a treat for any horror fan.

9 An Empty Man Animated Feature Could Reach New Audiences

split image of The Empty Man comic cover and panel artwork

The Empty Man is a fascinating and twisted comic series that received rave reviews and was even adapted into a cult favorite horror film. The film had a twisted tone and a shocking ending, but many felt that it paled in comparison to its comic counterpart. This is where an animated film could really take the grotesque comic a step further.

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The series was written by Cullen Bunn, and the story is very different from the movie. It's essentially about a spreading case of the "Empty Man" disease, and the horrific consequences of the fallout. It's not a series for everyone, but those who liked it really took to it. The artwork by Vanesa R. Del Rey also received widespread praise. Any animated movie that took the comic to heart could really make it a hit.

8 Alan Moore's Swamp Thing Volume 1 Would Lend Itself To A Grim Animated Film

split image of alan moore's Swamp thing panel and volume 1 cover

Comic genius Alan Moore had a terrific run on Swamp Thing back in the 80s, and he really focused on the existential horror of the character. His changes to the mythology are iconic and have been taken on board by most other Swamp Thing creators. The live-action Swamp Thing show adapted much of Moore's material, however, a gruesomely raw animated film could really bring Moore's world to life.

Alan Moore's take on Swamp Thing focuses on the internal crisis that Swamp Thing undergoes in his transformation from man to plant. The series always implied that the Swamp Thing was once a man, but Moore's horror comes from the idea of identity and delusion. Moore also creates a fittingly dark grotesque world for the creature to inhabit, one that would work well in animated form.

7 Afterlife With Archie Would Be A Hit With Riverdale Viewers

Afterlife with archie artwork cover and panel

Long-time comic series Archie has had a resurgence thanks to Riverdale. Most people know what the Archie comics are like, but few expected Archie to take on horror so well. Many readers were surprised at how well Afterlife with Archie actually turned out.

In the series, Archie and the gang come face to face with the zombie apocalypse and a twisted adventure ensues. The artwork is colorful and dark, and it is full of some very tense moments for Archie readers. The series received widespread praise, while many readers who just expected a generic zombie adventure left with a genuinely well-written horror comic. With Riverdale's recent success, why not branch into animated media with an adaptation of Afterlife with Archie?

6 Bitter Root Boasts A Dark And Relevant Horror Story

Bitter root art panel and volume 1 cover

Bitter Root is in dire need of some cross-media adaptations, given that the soul of the comic remains intact. On the surface, it's easy to describe Bitter Root as an adventurous horror series that is based on supernatural creatures and monster hunting. It sounds pretty fun, but it goes far deeper than that.

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The real genius here is the writing and the themes. The series really tries to discuss racism and the consequences it has on both the individual and families down the generations. The horror here comes from the souls consumed by hate due to prejudice that plagued their lives. Boasting terrific writing, complex themes, and lively art, this would be incredibly powerful in the right filmmaker's hands.

5 The Nice House On The Lake Could Make For An Atmospheric Animated Film

split image of the nice house on the lake volume 1 cover and panel

Another offering from James Tynion IV, who is proving himself more and more as a master of horror with each series he writes, The Nice House On The Lake received rave reviews for its gripping plot, interesting concepts, and atmospheric artwork.

The plot finds a mutual acquaintance named Walter inviting a group of friends to a beautiful house on the lake. The group always knew Walter was strange, but they accept the invite and end up facing a shocking series of events. James Tynion’s plot isn’t just horrific but incredibly thematic and purposeful. While the first volume left readers hanging with its abrupt ending, it could be well worth adapting this series into an animated show or film.

4 Through The Woods Would Be A Perfect Anthology Series

split image of through the woods panel and cover artwork

Through The Woods is a focused anthology series, and the potential for adaption is staggering. Writer Emily Carrol spins five atmospheric, dark gripping tales, all with their own hooks and horrific concepts. Carrol really delves deep to find the horror within each character, and the stories are varied and intense.

An animated film is an incredibly tantalizing prospect to picture; not only would a horror anthology film make use of a variety of talents, but each short could boast a different art style, not unlike Batman: Gotham Knight. With any anthology series, some stories are stronger than others. But Carrol's storytelling and concepts are strong enough to support each story, and any animated director would be lucky to get the chance to adapt such work.

3 Harrow County Is A Must-Read For Fans Of Supernatural Horror

split image of Harrow County volume 1 cover and cover artwork

Harrow County is a beloved comic; a gothic tale that boasts some great supernatural concepts, artwork and atmosphere. Harrow County is a must-read for anyone who enjoys supernatural or ghostly horror around the Halloween season.

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Harrow County has received only one adaptation; a Graphicaudio full-cast audio drama. It would absolutely work taken one step further into animation. The plot revolves around Emmy Crawford, a girl on the verge of adulthood who believes the woods around her home are crawling with supernatural beings. As she reaches 18, she learns the shocking truth of how she is connected to these creatures, and it makes for a brilliant read. Given the right creative team, an animated movie could really bring this twisted series to life.

2 From Hell Needs A Suitably Grim Horror Adaptation

Split of From hell artwork and master edition cover

From Hell is a grotesque gothic murderous series by comic genius Alan Moore. It tells the infamous story of Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper. The series is brilliantly written by Moore and the artwork by Eddie Campbell is suitably dark and raw.

This is another iconic horror comic that has also received a live-action adaptation that split audiences and critics and failed to receive widespread praise. An animated film with a stellar voice cast, however, could amend this. As long as the script captures Moore’s gripping text and the animation style emulates Campbell’s twisted imagery, it could make for a fantastic watch.

1 Something Is Killing The Children Is A Modern Horror Smash

Split image of Something's killing the children volume 1 cover and artwork

James Tnyion IV, famed for his run on Batman, created this ongoing horror series in 2020 to much critical acclaim. Something Is Killing The Children takes the form of a great supernatural horror mystery. Any collection of issues could make for a terrific animated film.

The comic is set in a small town dubbed Archer’s Peak; a town that lives in terror as the children frequently go missing, and many never come back. The only person to believe the stories goes on a hunt to find out what lives in the dark. Showcasing some terrific writing, the comic also features incredIbly colorful yet suitable dark artwork. Any attempt to animate this series would have to ensure Werther Dell'Edera’s art is faithfully captured.

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