We are in the thick of winter here in the Pacific Northwest, which means it's dark, damp, and chilly. Rather than escaping to stories with warmer, brighter climates, I personally want nothing more than to dive deep into gothic and uncanny fiction as the wind rattles my windows at night. It's all about the atmosphere and the ambience, perfect for devouring a spooky graphic novel in one sitting. Here is a selection of comics to send chills down the spine or make chests ache with melancholy.
Girl From the Other Side: Siúil a Rún
by Nagabe
With beautiful, shadowy art and loveable characters, Girl From the Other Side tells the story of a young girl being taken care of by a monster called 'Teacher;' neither can touch without spreading a curse. Nagabe expertly balances a dreadful mystery with moments of sweetness. If you're looking for a manga series to pick up this winter, I cannot recommend this one enough.
Sleeper and the Spindle
by Neil Gaiman
Gaiman's Sleeper and the Spindle is somewhere between a graphic novel and a picture book for adults. It weaves together the stories of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, drawing comparisons between the two fairytales and finding ways to keep them fresh. The twist at the end left me reeling at just how clever it was and the gorgeous illustrations dance in my mind.
The Gashlycrumb Tinies; or, After the Outing
by Edward Gorey
A macabre alphabet of the untimely deaths of twenty-six children, executed with humor in the way only Edward Gorey can. It's a little book but it's so darkly delightful and the rhymes stick in my mind with how bouncy they feel, making its perfect to come back to again and again.
Through the Woods
by Emily Carroll
Emily Carroll has been my go-to for short horror comics for years, ever since I first encountered "His Face All Red" online as a teen. Her stories pack a punch. They’re charming and creepy and lovingly illustrated, leaving the reader with haunting questions. If you're looking for bite-sized horror comics, Carroll's Through the Woods collection will more than satisfy.
Beautiful Darkness
by Fabien Vehlmann and Kerascoët (tr. Helge Dascher)
If a girl dies in the woods and no one is around to see, what happens to the fairytales that lived in her head? Don't be fooled by the bright watercolor illustrations and cute character designs, Beautiful Darkness is a grim testament to the darkest parts of the imagination. This comic sets out to unnerve readers, but its compelling story makes it hard to look away.