Graphic Novel Horror
Explore books, themes, and recommendations in Graphic Novel Horror.
What is the Graphic Novel Horror Subgenre?
As its suggests, graphic novel horror is a subgenre of horror fiction that starts off life as a comic book, or a webcomic. However, there is very little comical about the books in this subgenre. This is a subgenre that is more about form rather than function. A key component to graphic novel horror is the artwork which plays a large part in the story. The illustrations in a work can often heighten the sense of creepiness or showcase a work's violence and gore.
Graphic novels, which have been historically frowned upon for their connection to comic books, have more recently become an increasingly popular blend of art and literature. In 2011, the Horror Writers Association welcomed the subgenre into its ranks with the Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel.
Many popular horror subgenres have had the graphic novel treatment, and as such, the subgenre is widely varied with little consistency with regards to plot, setting, and scares. This means that nearly any subgenre can be related to graphic novel horror. A highly visual and cinematic medium, graphic novel horror lends itself very well to film, television and video game. In fact, many popular media properties originate in graphic novel horror.
Graphic Novel Horror Characteristics
Level of Plot: Plot levels in this subgenre are moderate to high as this subgenre has a cinematic quality. Additionally, graphic novel horror is often serialized, and therefore, contains many and varied story arcs.
Level of Characterization: Because of their long story arcs, characterization in graphic novel horror is moderate to high as this form offers many opportunities for character development.
Level of Supernatural: The level of supernatural in this subgenre varies as the term graphic novel horror is more descriptive of the form of the work as opposed to its contents.
Level of Scary: Due to the addition of illustrations, scares in the graphic novel subgenre will be moderate to high, ranging from graphically violent scares to more atmospheric creepiness.
Level of Violence: The level of violence in graphic novel horror is another element that varies because this subgenre is more about form. However, violence content will be more graphic due to the addition of illustrations.
Typical Setting: Settings will be richly detailed, like plots and characters, because of the graphic novel medium, though there is no standard setting for this subgenre.
Related Horror Subgenres
Nearly every subgenre in horror fiction has had the graphic novel treatment, but some of the more popular subgenres to be featured as a graphic novel are zombies, vampires, supernatural, creature, Lovecraftian, serial killer, crime, and extreme horror. Because of the cinematic properties and the frequency with which this subgenre is adapted to movies, television shows, or video games, media tie-in horror is another subgenre that can be easily related to graphic novel horror.