Horror novels can have some of the most inventive, if terrifying, imagery around. Descriptions of monsters lurking in the dark, bodies gone wrong, and wounds of all shapes and sizes wait in the pages of horror novels for the brave reader.
And what’s better than descriptions? Descriptions with horrifying illustrations to go along with them! Not only do you get the in-your-head horror of a book playing out in your mind, but you also get the chilling visual of what that story could look like on the page, too. Illustrated horror novels and horror graphic novels are rife with creepy and crawly pictures that add more depth and impact to their stories. In this list of illustrated horror novels, you’ll find a haunting story of a missing grandfather, family secrets turned sinister, and spirals gone wrong!
Uzumaki by Junji Ito, Translated by Yuji Oniki
Spirals become something horrifying in this beautifully illustrated, mostly black-and-white manga. Teenage Kirie and her boyfriend, Shuichi, begin to notice strange things in their small Japanese coastal town. Soon, they’re convinced the town is being plagued by spirals. Yes, the pattern of spirals. In shells, in art, they’re everywhere. After you read this, you’ll think of Uzumaki every time you see a cinnamon roll, a snail, or a galaxy.
The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night by Marjorie M. Liu, Illustrated by Sana Takeda
Twins Milly and Billy are working hard to keep the restaurant they co-own above water while also preparing for their parents’ annual visit. But under the gaze of their strict mother and more lax father, family dynamics add tension to the already stressful time. While there, their parents convince them to clean up the strange, creepy house next door. Inside, they find something monstrous lurking, something that exposes family secrets.
Strange Pictures by Uketsu
Casual members of a paranormal club of sorts, Sasaki and Kurihara stumble upon a blog with odd pictures, hinting at something sinister. In another storyline, a child who killed her mother draws a chilling sketch. In another, kids’ drawings of home turn dark when viewed in another light. Strange Pictures combines all of these into a strange and beautifully illustrated thrill.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Illustrated by Bernie Wrightson
Frankenstein is a classic for a reason. Shelley’s story of a monster and his creator still resonates with audiences everywhere; its themes of beauty, rejection, and humanity are just as relevant now as they were in 1818. In this version, the gothic haunting story gets new life with the addition of stunning illustrations!
Mothtown by Caroline Hardaker, Illustrated by Chris Riddell
After an expedition, David’s grandfather goes missing. David’s parents tell him his grandfather died, but he’s not convinced. His grandfather’s things are gone, things that were special to both of them. His grandfather was seeking out a door to another world, and David wonders if he found it after all. Now David wants to follow in his grandfather’s path, feeling like he doesn’t fit in this world either.
Elsewhere by William Peter Blatty, Illustrated by Alex McVey
Big shot realtor Joan is desperate to sell a house called Elsewhere that everyone is convinced is haunted. But no one can get past the stories about what lurks inside. To prove that it’s not actually haunted and get the house off her hands, she calls in a team of paranormal investigators to debunk the rumors once and for all. But, well, it’s never that simple. What should be an easy job for everyone soon proves to be much harder, as the rumors may not be toothless after all.
I hope one of these illustrated horror novels catches your eye! If you’re in the mood for more illustrated reads, check out these illustrated YA books or these illustrated nonfiction books!