The Vain. By Eliot Rahal (writer), Emily Pearson (artist), Fred C. Stresing (colorist), and Crank! (letterer). Oni Press, 2020-2021.
Subgenres: crime horror, vampires
Issues published: #1-#5, collected in one volume (2021)
In 1941, a Chicago blood bank is robbed by a gang known as the Blood Bandits. FBI Agent Felix Franklin, investigating similar robberies, is certain that as WWII looms, the blood shortage is a direct attack that will result in weakening the United States. The Vain, a group of vampires responsible for the crimes, have been successful at outwitting the authorities. However, through the decades, surveillance and security measures steadily improve to the point where stealing blood is nearly impossible. The smallest mistake would mean their downfall. Agent Franklin has never given up on this case, and time is seemingly on his side.
Vampire: The Masquerade: The Complete Series
 |
Vampire: The Masquerade, the Complete Series trade paperback cover. Vault Comics, 2024. |
Subgenres: crime horror, political horror, shapeshifters, vampires
Issues published: Vampire the Masquerade: The Complete Series (2024) collects #1-#10 of Vampire: The Masquerade: Winter’s Teeth, #1-#3 of the Werewolf crossover World of Darkness: Crimson Thaw, and roleplaying game supplemental pages
Cecily Bain is an enforcer serving the Twin Cities' vampire faction known as the Camarilla. When she takes Alejandra, a mysterious newly turned vampire, into her care, she may have inadvertently put herself and her community in danger. Alejandra may not be trusted. While Cecily is attempting to solve her own problems, Colleen Pendergrass, who was forcefully embraced by her spouse, is searching for answers to a murder.
The Vampire Slayer. By Sarah Gailey (writer), Carlos Olivares (artist), Michael Shelfer (artist), Sonia Liao (artist), Claudia Balboni (artist), Hannah Templar (artist), Kath Lobo (artist), Roberta Ingranata (artist), Puste (artist), Valentina Pinto (colorist), Riccardo Giardina (color assistant), Lea Caballero (inker), and Ed Dukeshire (letterer). BOOM! Studios, 2022-2023.
Subgenres: monsters, occult horror, supernatural horror, vampires, witches
Issues published: #1-#16; Volume 1 (2023) collects #1-#4; Volume 2 (2023) collects #5-#8; Volume 3 (2023) collects #9-#12; Volume 4 (2023) collects #13-#16
Powerful witch Willow and librarian Giles think they are doing the best thing for Buffy when a spell goes wrong. Instead of helping Buffy deal with her trauma, the spell strips the Slayer of her role and transfers it to Willow instead. However, just because the Slayer’s identity has changed hands does not mean that Willow is ready to take on her new responsibilities. Buffy, feeling a loss of purpose, falls into depression and frustration. Unbeknownst to everyone, another new Slayer has been activated.
 |
Vampirella: Hollywood Horror trade paperback cover. Dynamite, 2016. |
Subgenres: monsters, occult horror, shapeshifters, vampires, witches
Issues published: #1-#5, collected in one volume (2016)
After a video of Vampirella killing a monster goes viral on YouTube, the fanboys immediately fall in love with her, and the media obviously notices. As a result of her newfound fame, Vampirella becomes a horror host, which garners the attention of a powerful sorceress, Slade, who is in control of Hollywood’s horror movie industry. With her werewolf boyfriend Tristan, faithful butler Coleridge, and demon-blooded agent Juliette, Vampirella fights to free Hollywood and the monsters from Slade’s terrible grasp.
Vampironica. By Greg Smallwood (writer, artist), Meg Smallwood (writer), Greg Scott (artist), Matt Herms (colorist), and Jack Morelli (letterer). Archie Comics, 2018-2019.
Subgenres: teen horror, vampires
Issues published: #1-#4, collected in one volume (2019)
When popular high school cheerleader Veronica is bitten by a vampire, she must decide between her bloodlust or preserving the lives of those she loves in Riverdale.
Vampironica: New Blood. By Frank Tieri (writer), Michael Moreci (writer), Audrey Mok (artist), Joe Eisma (artist), Matt Herms (colorist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), and Jack Morelli (letterer). Archie Comics, 2020.
Subgenres: teen horror, vampires
Issues published: #1-#4, collected in one volume (2020)
After the crossover event Jughead: The Hunger vs. Vampironica, Veronica searches for answers to her current existence. She uncovers more about her family history and the vampire who started it all.
Vault. By James Ninness (writer), Andres Esparza (artist), Sergio Martinez (colorist), Janice Chiang (letterer), and Sandy King (editor). Storm King Comics, 2018.
Subgenres: aliens, body horror, eco horror, science fiction horror
Issues published: #1-#3, collected in one volume (2018)
Vault is the first series in John Carpenter's Tales of Science Fiction imprint. The crew of the Gaia are on their way to the moon, but they stop to investigate the wreckage of a large space vessel. As they pick their way through the vast craft, it becomes clear they are facing technology far advanced than what should be possible, as well as the bodies of the previous crew and a peculiar fungus.
Vortex. By Mike Sizemore (writer), David Kennedy (artist), Pete Kennedy (colorist), Janice Chiang (letterer), and Sandy King (editor). Storm King Comics, 2021.
Subgenres: body horror, medical horror, monsters, political horror, science fiction horror, tech horror
Issues published: #1-#8, collected in one volume (2021)
Vortex is the second series in John Carpenter's Tales of Science Fiction imprint. A rescue team is sent from Space Station Benson in the Veil Nebula to an asteroid where a deep space mining expedition is assigned. The last communication from the crew was a distress call, after which transmission ceases, and nobody knows why. With Jake Dixon, a man whose past calls into question his reliability, the rescue team discovers what the crew has unearthed, and that it has the potential to destroy humanity. Amidst the investigation, another mystery is unfolding at the space station.
Vortex 2.0. By Mike Sizemore (writer), David Kennedy (artist), Pete Kennedy (colorist), Janice Chiang (letterer), and Sandy King (editor). Storm King Comics, 2021.
Subgenres: body horror, medical horror, monsters, political horror, science fiction horror, tech horror
Issues published: #1-#8, collected in one volume (2021)
Vortex 2.0 is the seventh series in John Carpenter's Tales of Science Fiction imprint. Over twenty years have passed since the Benson Disaster, when the space station lost nearly its entire crew. Now the survivors come together to venture further out in space to the Cat's Paw Nebula to help the Barringer Habitat crew confront a familiar enemy.
West of Sundown Volume 1: Out Beyond the Dust n’ Dark trade paperback cover. Vault Comics, 2023.
West of
Sundown. By Tim
Seeley (writer), Aaron Campbell (writer), Jim Terry (artist), Triona Farrell
(colorist), Marissa Louise (colorist), and Crank! (letterer). Vault
Comics, 2022-2023.
Subgenres: monsters, small-town horror, vampires
Issues published: Volume 1: Out Beyond the Dust n’ Dark (2023) collects #1-#5; Volume 2: Youthful Blasphemy (2023) collects #6-#10
Vampire Constance Der Abend returns to her place of origin, New Mexico, to reclaim her ancestral soil that is essential for her survival. With constant companion Dooley O'Shaughnessy, she settles in Sangre De Mor, where they find other monsters have formed a community. As Constance and Dooley become more familiar with their new way of life, they prepare for other creatures to arrive. However, not all of the newcomers are there for altruistic reasons.
Winnebago Graveyard. By Alison Sampson (writer), Steve Niles (writer), Stéphane Paitreau (artist, colorist), Eiko Takayama (artist, colorist), Paulina Ganucheau (artist), Jen Bartel (artist), Mingjue Helen Chen (artist), Emi Lenox (artist), Irene Strychalski (artist), Annie Wu (artist), Sarah Horrocks (essayist), Casey Gilly (essayist), Claire Napier (essayist), Amma Tambour (essayist), and Aditya Bidikar (letterer). Image Comics, 2017.
Subgenres: body horror, occult horror
Issues published: #1-#4, collected in one volume (2017)
While embarking on a family vacation, stepfather Dan is having difficulty connecting with his stepson, Bobby, which causes tension with the boy's mother, Christie. To break the tension, Dan suggests they visit the carnival nearby. When they become stranded in the small town, with mysterious cultists hunting them, they will need to work together to survive the night.
Witchblade. By Caitlin Kittredge (writer), Roberta Ingranata (artist), Bryan Valenza (colorist), Troy Peteri (letterer), and Eric Stephenson (editor). Image Comics, 2018-2020.
Subgenres: crime horror, dark fantasy, demons, domestic horror, hauntings, occult horror, supernatural horror
Issues published: #1-#18; Volume 1 (2018) collects #1-#6; Volume 2 (2019) collects #7-#12; Volume 3 (2020) collects #13-#18
New York City journalist Alex Underwood is shot and left for dead but wakes up bloody in her apartment. It is here she discovers an ancient artifact, the Witchblade, merged with her. She also discovers there are supernatural forces that see her as a target now that she can be a powerful force against them.
 |
W0RLDTR33 Volume 1: Terminal trade paperback cover. Image Comics, 2023. |
Subgenres: tech horror, serial killers
Issues published: #1-ongoing; Volume 1: Terminal (2023) collects #1-#5; Volume 2: Network (2024) collects #6-#11
Gabriel and his friends explore a new layer of the internet in 1999. Calling this sublayer the Undernet, they recorded data about it via the W0RLDTR33 site. Tracing the data forces them to accept that this layer has negative effects on users, with side effects like headaches and hallucinations. Thinking that this may be dangerous, the group builds a firewall around the sublayer, thinking it is fully sequestered and locked down. Two decades later, it is free. Teenagers are committing murders and acts of violence after downloading a program from the internet. Worse, a serial killer codenamed PH34R, who has intimate knowledge of the Undernet, proves to be a difficult target.
Anthologies and Collections Created or Curated by Women
 |
Archie Horror Presents: Chilling Adventures: The Anthology Collection cover. Archie Comics, 2023. |
Archie Horror Presents: Chilling Adventures: The Anthology Collection. Jamie L. Rotante (editor). Archie Comics, 2023.
Subgenres: demons, monsters. occult horror, witches
This anthology collects seven comics from the Archie Horror line, including Madam Satan, Chilling Adventures in Sorcery, Jinx: Grim Fairy Tales, Weirder Mysteries, Chilling Adventures of Salem, The Return of Chilling Adventures in Sorcery, and Happy Horror Days. Women creators include Amy Chu (writer), Eva Cabrera (artist), Magdalene Visaggio (writer), Joanne Starer (writer), Corin Howell (artist), Casey Gilly (writer), and Liana Kangas (artist).
Fantastic Frights: A Beginner’s Guide to Scary
Stories cover. Cloudscape Comics Society, 2022.
Fantastic Frights: A Beginner's Guide to Scary Stories. By Evan Waterman (editor) and Hannah Myers (editor). Cloudscape Comics Society, 2022.
Subgenres: body horror, cosmic horror, eco horror, hauntings, monsters, science fiction horror, shapeshifters, teen horror, vampires
This anthology includes 14 horror stories that range from cozy horror to more extreme while remaining an all-ages collection. Women creators include Amy Chase (writer), Haley Boros (artist), Katie Hicks (artist), Desirae Salmark (artist), Kelly Chen (writer, artist), Kathleen Gros (writer, artist), Reetta Linjama (artist), Mary Verhoeven (artist), Olga Wieszczyk (writer, artist), Eden Cooke (artist), Schnumn (writer, artist), Hannah Myers (artist), Laurel Dundee (artist), and Jade McGilvray (artist).
In the Dark: A Horror Anthology cover.
IDW Publishing, 2014.
In the Dark: A Horror Anthology. By Rachel Deering (editor, writer, letterer). IDW Publishing, 2014.
Subgenres: body horror, cosmic horror, crime horror, domestic horror, hauntings, medical horror, monsters
In the Dark: A Horror Anthology collects 24 horror comics. Women creators include Tamra Bonvillian (colorist), Kelly Fitzpatrick (colorist), Christine Larsen (artist, colorist), Alison Sampson (artist), Marguerite Bennett (writer), and Valeria D’Orazio (writer).
John Carpenter’s Tales for a HalloweeNight. By Sandy King (editor). Storm King Comics, 2016-ongoing.
Subgenres: aliens, body horror, cannibalism, cosmic horror, crime horror, dark fantasy, demons, domestic horror, eco horror, folk horror, hauntings, monsters, occult horror, science fiction horror, serial killers, shapeshifters, tech horror, vampires, witches
This anthology series features standalone horror stories curated by John Carpenter and Sandy King, both of whom contribute a story to each volume. The tradition of a horror host is preserved in these pages as the tales are presented by such figures as the cemetery Groundscreeper and the shapeshifter Baphomet. Women and non-binary creators are listed for each published volume below.
 |
|
John Carpenter’s Tales for a HalloweeNight Volume 4 cover. Storm King Comics, 2018. |
Volume 1 (2015): Sandy King (writer),
Mariana Sanzone (colorist), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
Volume 2 (2016): Deirdre Brooks (writer), Renae De Liz (writer), Amanda Deibert (writer), Cat Staggs (artist), Sandy King (writer), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
Volume 3 (2017): Louise Simonson (writer), Amanda Deibert (writer), Cat Staggs (artist), Sandy King (writer), Jan Duursema (artist), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
Volume 4 (2018): Elena Carrillo (writer), Cat Staggs (artist), Megan Hutchison (artist), Amanda Deibert (writer), Renae De Liz (writer), Sandy King (writer), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
Volume 5 (2019): Elena Carrillo (writer), Amanda Deibert (writer), Cat Staggs (artist), Chandra Free (artist), Sian Mandrake (they/them), Sara Richard, Sandy King (writer), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
Volume 6 (2020): Sara Richard, Jennie Wood, Renae De Liz, Elena Carrillo, Amanda Deibert (writer), Sara Richard, Simone Guglielmini, Cat Staggs (artist), Sandy King (letterer), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
 |
John Carpenter’s Tales for a HalloweeNight Volume 7 cover. Storm King Comics, 2021. |
Volume 8 (2022): Elena Carillo (writer), Sian Mandrake (they/them), Cat Staggs (artist), Michelle Madsen (colorist), Sara Richard (writer, artist), Amanda Deibert (writer), Jennie Wood (writer), Heather Vaughan (artist), Sandy King (writer), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
Volume 9 (2023): Elena Carrillo (writer), Sian Mandrake (they/them), Amanda Deibert (writer), Cat Staggs (artist), Jennie Wood (writer), Sandy King (writer), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
Volume 10 (2024): Elena Carrillo (writer), Sian Mandrake (they/them), Amanda Deibert (writer), Cat Staggs (artist), Jennie Wood (writer), Sandy King (writer), and Janice Chiang (letterer)
The Skin You’re In: A Collection of Horror
Comics The Skin You’re In: A Collection of Horror Comics cover. Silver Sprocket,
2024.
. By Ashley Robin Franklin.
Silver Sprocket, 2024.
Subgenres: body horror, eco horror
This volume collects eight of Ashley Robin Franklin's horror comics, including previously published and new stories, featuring themes of body horror, plant-based creatures, and queer identity.
 |
Sleep of Reason cover. Iron Circus Comics, 2014. |
Sleep of Reason. Edited by C. Spike Trotman. Iron Circus Comics, 2014.
Subgenres: body horror, cosmic horror, domestic horror, eco horror, medical horror, monsters, science fiction horror
This anthology collects 26 original horror stories with an overarching focus on existential dread and original monsters. Women creators include Meg Gandy, Carla Speed McNeil, britt c. h., Lin Visel, Der-shing Helmer, Hillary Blair, Kristin Cheney, Lety R-Z, Kit Goode, Liz Edwards, Lee Blauersouth, Blue Delliquanti, Melanie Gillman, C. Spike Trotman, Savannah Horrocks, Ainsley Seago, Sophie Goldstein, and Britt Sabo.
 |
A Soul Divided / Caged in Flesh cover. Red Stylo Media, 2018. |
Subgenres: dark fantasy, gothic horror, medical horror, monsters, science fiction horror
This anthology is a double-sided collection of comics inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mt. Hyde. Women and non-binary creators include Heather Kenealy (writer), Lindsay Smith (writer), Stephanie Tunnell (artist), Alouisse Ver (they/them, artist), Wendy Muldon (artist), Lea J. Zimmt (writer), Jessica Trevino (artist), Shen Travis (artist), and Sunny Go (they/them).
 |
| Sugar and Other Stories cover. Silver Sprocket, 2023. |
Subgenres: body horror, domestic horror, horror comedy
Joy San presents seven short horror comics in this anthology that include themes of isolation, existential dread, body horror, and supernatural or very human monsters.
Conclusion and Next Steps
This bibliography documents the scale of horror comics created by women creators between December 2023 and December 2024, highlighting both established and emerging talent in the horror genre. This project blends discoverability with inclusivity, offering a practical research tool while exhibiting women working in the horror genre. The deliberate visual identification of women, by using bold text, and the inclusion of non-binary contributors reflect ongoing efforts within the field to more accurately represent who is shaping contemporary horror comics.
While not exhaustive, Part II provides a record of the body of work by women in the horror comic medium, as well as a foundation to be built upon, such as broadening the scope to include more dates and including zines, small presses, webcomics, and international comics. The latter in particular is underrepresented in bibliographic scholarship. While the tagging system has been revised from Part I to include more subgenres, further refining and expanding to better account for overlooked subgenres may be needed.
The titles listed here affirm that women creators are not only participating in horror comics but are actively redefining the genre's boundaries, themes, and future. This bibliography is offered as both a research tool and an invitation to continue documenting and amplifying the work of creators whose contributions are essential to the present and future of horror comics. Librarians and readers’ advisory professionals may also use this bibliography as a foundation for collection development, programming, or reader engagement initiatives that center women and gender-diverse creators.
References
Walker, L. (2024). “Women Creating Monsters: A Bibliography of Comics and Graphic Novels, Part I: Graphic Novels, 2014-2024.” International Journal of Comic Art, 26(2), 161-227.
Appendix A. Subgenre Tags and Definitions
|
Subgenre Tag |
Definition |
|
Aliens* |
Extraterrestrial beings |
|
Body horror |
Includes graphic gore and ruin of bodies |
|
Cannibalism* |
Practice of humans consuming human flesh |
|
Cosmic horror |
Also called Lovecraftian horror; focus on the unknown, cosmic beings, and questions of humanity's fate |
|
Crime horror |
Blends elements of crime or detective fiction with horror |
|
Dark fantasy |
Combines elements of fantasy with horror |
|
Dark romance* |
Combines elements of romance with horror |
|
Demons |
Evil supernatural entity that torments their victims |
|
Domestic horror |
Fear focuses on home and family |
|
Dystopian horror* |
Combines elements of societal control, dehumanization, societal collapse, and oppression with horror |
|
Eco horror |
The environment and natural world enact vengeance after human destruction or negligence affects negative change |
|
Erotic horror |
Combines elements of erotic fiction and horror |
|
Final girls/Final boys* |
Last survivor of a slasher |
|
Folk horror |
Set in isolated or rural areas; themes include isolation and folklore |
|
Gothic horror |
Uses elements of gothic fiction to enact terror and fear |
|
Hauntings |
Includes haunted houses, objects, places, and ghosts |
|
Historical horror |
Blends real world historical events with horror |
|
Horror comedy |
Combines elements of humor with horror |
|
Medical horror |
Healthcare personnel performing inhumane experiments or murder; rise of epidemics or viruses; can be set in healthcare facility |
|
Monsters |
Non-human unnatural creatures; visual representation of the Other |
|
Occult horror* |
Examines supernatural concepts, metaphysics, and rituals within world religion, such as paganism, demonology, magic, and psychic phenomena; associated with demonology and witchcraft |
|
Political horror* |
Horror merges with governmental subjects and topics; may involve governmental control, oppression, terrorism, extremism, and other topics |
|
Possession |
Supernatural entity takes over the body and soul of the chosen vessel |
|
Psychic horror |
Characters exhibiting psychic abilities or situations involving such phenomena |
|
Rape revenge* |
Character takes revenge on the responsible parties for rape |
|
Religious horror* |
Combines Judeo-Christian centric religions with horror elements |
|
Science fiction horror |
Integrates science fiction elements, such as alien life, technology or futuristic setting, with horror themes |
|
Serial killers* |
Human killers who stalk and kill |
|
Shapeshifters* |
Humans that can take on the forms of other creatures, such as werebeasts and changelings |
|
Slashers* |
Killers who stalk and kill victims, often using excessive violence and can exhibit supernatural abilities |
|
Small-town horror* |
Setting is a small or isolated town |
|
Survival horror |
Characters try to survive with limited resources in life-threatening situations |
|
Tech horror |
Uses modern technology, such as social media, cell phones, and computers, to terrorize characters |
|
Teen horror |
Stories both with teens as the audience and character ages |
|
Vampires |
Undead creatures that consume blood |
|
Vigilantes |
Characters who take justice into their own hands |
|
Witches* |
Practitioners of natural or supernatural magic |
|
Zombies |
Ambulatory corpses that feast on living flesh |
*Indicates the tag has been added or revised
Appendix B. List of Publishers
|
Publisher |
URL at time of publication |
|
ABLAZE Publishing |
|
|
Action Lab Comics |
NA |
|
AfterShock Comics |
|
|
Amigo Comics |
NA at the time of publication |
|
Archie Comics |
|
|
AWA Studios |
|
|
Behemoth Comics |
NA |
|
Black Mask Studios |
|
|
BOOM! Studios |
|
|
Cloudscape Comics |
|
|
Dark Horse Comics |
|
|
Dead Sky Publishing |
|
|
Dynamite Entertainment |
|
|
IDW Publishing |
|
|
Image Comics |
|
|
Iron Circus Comics |
|
|
Mad Cave Studios |
|
|
Oni Press |
|
|
Red Stylo Media |
|
|
Scout Comics & Entertainment |
|
|
Silver Sprocket |
|
|
Skybound Comics |
|
|
Storm King Comics |
|
|
Titan Comics |
|
|
TKO Studios |
|
|
TPub/Twisted Comics |
|
|
Valiant Entertainment |
|
|
Vault Comics |
Appendix C. List of Crowdsourced and readers' advisory resources
|
Resource |
URL at time of publication |
|
Goodreads |
|
|
Grand Comics Database |
|
|
LibraryThing |
|
|
The Monster Librarian |
|
|
RA for All: Horror |
|
|
The StoryGraph |
Lizzy Walker is an Associate Professor and the Metadata & Digital Initiatives Librarian at Wichita State University in Wichita, KS. She earned her Master of Library Science from the University of North Texas in 2012. She has published articles regarding how academic libraries and special collections resources use popular culture, specifically horror genre materials created by women, to showcase unique collections. Her articles have appeared in International Journal of Comic Art, Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communications, Journal of Library Administration, and Technical Services Quarterly.
