Stephen Kingis the unrivaled Master of Horror, with iconic novels includingThe Shining,It, andCarrieonly solidifying that fact. While King’s horror novels are as fun to read as they are terrifying to imagine, they aren’t simply a source of entertainment for many readers. Some people become so inspired by King’s work, they turn around and create their own piece of horror fiction.
Not all horror fiction is inspired by Stephen King, but there are many novels, movies, and comics that feel they would fit right into a fictional world crafted by King. Whether directly inspired by or simply have a similar tone to the Master of Horror, here are the8 best comics that arguably (or quite literally) wouldn’t exist without Stephen King.
8Heroes for Hope, Starring The X-Men
This particular entry definitely wouldn’t exist without Stephen King because it was written by Stephen King himself.Heroes for Hope Starring the X-Menis a one-shotthat incorporated a number of talented writers who each wrote a fraction of the comic’s wider story.
The pages Stephen King was responsible for told the brief yet terrifying tale of Kitty Pryde walking into the kitchen of the X-Mansion for a snack, only to be accosted by a seemingly demonic mutant called Hungry, who had the power to make his victims starve.
Heroes for Hope Starring the X-Mendonated all its proceeds to famine relief and recovery in Africa.
While this isn’t exactly a series, it is an iconic moment in horror comics that wouldn’t have existed without Stephen King, and the fact that it starred the X-Men only makes it that much cooler.
7American Vampire
Another example of a piece of comic book horror fiction directly influenced by Stephen King,American Vampirewas christened by King himself, as the Master of Horror contributed a few stories for the first book.
Written by Scott Snyder and art by Rafael Albuquerque,American Vampirebegins with European vampires who arrive in the United States in the 1800s, and the story only develops from there.
Even without Stephen King’s contributions,American Vampirewould feel like a King novel (thinkSalem’s Lot), as his undeniable influence can be felt throughout the entire series.
6Wytches
Scott Snyder’sWytchesis one of those comics that is truly, deeply terrifying. The creepiness found on every page through a masterful combination of writing and artwork (done by artist Jock) is matched only by the book’s building suspense and utter dread. The story is captivating, the artwork is skin-crawling, and the ‘big reveal’ is almost unbearably twisted.
Wytcheshas a way of getting under a reader’s skin in a way few pieces of horror fiction have done before. And that’s why it’s perfect for fans of Stephen King. In fact,Stephen King himself calledWytches"a triumph"when the book was released, giving his personal stamp of approval for this truly remarkable (and terrifying) comic.
5Tales from the Darkside
Tales from the Darksideby Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez, and Michael Benedetto tells three tales of horror from the perspective of seemingly ordinary, everyday people. These people experience trauma, terror, and everything in between, and every page is more horrific than the one before it.
That alone should makeTales from the Darksidea must-read for Stephen King fans, which is something that becomes even more obvious when considering who the writer is.
Joe Hill is Stephen King’s son who has made a name for himself in the horror fiction genre. This isn’t to say Hill is exactly like his father, but it is fair to say that the apple certainly doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to creative genius, and that can be felt with every page of this comic.
4Locke & Key
Locke & Keyby Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez is definitely more of a supernatural adventure/coming-of-age story than an outright horror comic, but that’s also why it feels so much like Stephen King. Obviously, Joe Hill is responsible for writing this comic as well, so it makes sense that elements used in King’s writing can be felt in the comic.
Specifically, those that deal with generational trauma and overcoming the seemingly impossible as a child.
Locke & Keyfeels reminiscent of Stephen King’sItandThe Bodywhile still standing as its own unique story. In other words, it’s the perfect read for King (and especially Hill) fans everywhere.
3Ice Cream Man
Ice Cream Manby W. Maxwell Prince and Martin Morazzo might be the creepiest comic book series out there. It’s an anthology series that follows an ice cream man terrorizing seemingly regular (and totally random) people in ways that they couldn’t even begin to comprehend.
It’s not like he’s a serial killer or anything, either. The ice cream man is some kind of cosmic horror, a demon or evil god that has chosen to mess with mortals in bizarre and horrific ways.
Stephen King fans know that he doesn’t shy away from tying elements of cosmic horror into the seemingly mundane, andIce Cream Manhas done that in spades.
2Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites
Beasts of Burden: Animal Ritesby Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson feels like a classic Stephen King novel for a few reasons. There’s a mystery in a small, quiet town that forces a group of unlikely heroes to venture into the sewers and uncover the dark conspiracy.
The thing that makes this comic stand apart from one of King’s books, however, is the fact that the unlikely heroes are all animals (hence the title).
Beasts of Burdenis like if someone readItand imagined all the child characters were actually a few dogs and a cat. Obviously, this comic tells an original story, but the tone of it feels like it belongs in Stephen King’s horror universe, one where animals play a much bigger narrative role.
1Dark Tower
While Stephen King has had a hand in crafting some of the other entries, nothing can beat a story that came directly from the mind of the Master of Horror himself (especially not for Stephen King fans). TheDark Towergraphic novels have taken King’s iconicGunslingeruniverse and brought it to life in comic book form.
King fans are more than familiar with theDark Towerbook series, so if they are interested in checking out a comic series that captures King’s work, they need look no further than this one.
Stephen King’s greatness comes from the fact that he’s so unique in his storytelling. Sure, reading stories that feel as though they were inspired by King’s work is great, but if someone’s in the mood to readStephen King, nothing else will do.
