17 Horror Comics about Witches and the Occult – and Why You Should be Reading Them!
Witches are amongst the many icons during Halloween time. The occult, magic, sorcery, and many other supernatural phenomenon have been in comics for roughly 70 years; whether it be witchcraft, gore, or fun portrayals, there is something for everyone to dive into. Below are 17 comics to read as the countdown to October 31st continues.
1. The Witching (2004-2005)
The Witching was an ongoing series created and written by Jonathan Vankin. This 10 issue run explores the life of Elsa, an ageless witch, looking for her maiden and mother to her crone to form a trinity in hopes to successfully upkeep the power balance amongst human civilization. How will she find the witches she seeks? What sacrifices and challenges must she face throughout her upcoming battles?
2. Joe Golem: Occult Detective (2015-2019)
A man of clay turned to flesh and blood; Joe Golem is the Drowning City’s investigator of all things occult. Through terrifying encounters with the undead, witches, and more, Joe Golem must fight his demons while on his quest to protect his dying city. Brutally detailed graphics of his foes keep the reader on their toes and mesmerized by their horrific features.
3. Nameless (2015-2015)
This horrifying six issue run by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham will make you question everything you know about the dreamworld and the endless possibilities of your imagination. The occult expert Nameless is tasked to travel to steal a dream key from the Veiled Lady. Now, he must go to space to stop Xibalba- an asteroid hurdling towards Earth that will destroy the world. However, this isn’t an ordinary floating rock. The anti-universe sigil that inhabits this asteroid has damaged Earth before, will it happen again?
4. Hex Wives (2018-2019)
A rivalry dating back to the Salem Witch Trials takes readers through countless years of battles between The Architects and witches. However, when one of The Architects is able to get their hands on one of their spells, the witches forget their past selves and become everyday housewives. Through the series these witches slowly discover that their husbands aren’t who they seem to be, and now have top come together to stop them. This series was sadly cancelled early, but is still a fantastic read for witch lovers.
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5. Black Magick (2015-present)
Black Magick brings together the best of both worlds: cops and witchcraft. Rowan is a police officer who happens to practice witchcraft. Everything is going great for her until a man makes it known that he knows her true name, and absolutely no one should know that. With her life and coven in danger, she must investigate why this is happening and how to stop it. There are currently 16 issues released, but 30 have been planned out to continue solving the unknown.
6. The Witching Hour (1969-1978)
This DC classic brings readers through 85 different stories of witches, space, time travel and so much more. Each story has many different horror elements along with unique and unexpected twists. Since every story is different, you never truly know what to expect until you open the next book.
7. Zatanna (2010-2011)
Zatanna is one of the most magical and mystic characters in DC. However, she is also one of the most undervalued. Paul Dini’s run Zatanna is accredited for showing readers how powerful she really is. This miniseries follows the magician through the inquisition of supernatural happenings, but she doesn’t know that her enemy is closer to her than she thinks.
8. The Occultist (2011-2014)
Formally a 2010 one shot, this comic run follows Robert Bailey becoming The Occultist. Unbeknownst to him, his underlying powers help him take on the many foes and challenges that come with the title. The series brings together horror, action and comedy to create the perfect harmony for a thrilling read.
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9. The Invisibles (1994-2000)
The Invisibles follows multiple freedom fighters on their quest to fight the evil beings that have invaded their universe. The series entails anything and everything occult. Anything you can imagine, but more extreme, is possible in this series. This is yet another Grant Morrison run that was ongoing for six years. Throughout the issues, Morrison is able to distinctively develop each character and make them individuals.
10. Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose (2000-present)
Tarot is a warrior witch that was born into witchcraft. In this world, the Wiccan Gods are a heavy influence on the battles Tarot must face. By the Gods, she is tasked to keep the balance of mankind and all threats of magic and sorcery. This ongoing series has 133 issues to date, and still has more to come.
11. Power & Magic (2017-2018)
Power & Magic gives readers a fresh new look at what witches can be and what they can do. This anthology gives readers 15 stories to dive into all surrounding queer and POC witches. It’s a warm-hearted, but mystical adventure with a hint of romance.
12. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2014-2021)
Sabrina has been in Archie comics since the 1960s. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina give readers a more horrifying take on the teenage witch. Throughout the nine issue series, Sabrina must confront her father’s past and make the biggest decision of her life: become a full witch, or a mortal?
13. Justice League Dark (2011-2020)
The Justice League Dark is a part of the Justice League that strictly deals with unnatural, supernatural beings and forces that threaten the universe. Originally coming together to stop Enchantress from her outlandish rampage, Madame Xanadu forces the team to stay together to stop the upcoming dark forces that threaten them and their world.
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14. Day of Vengeance (2005-2006)
The Shadowpact is a group of magic-wielding heroes formed to stop the Spectre from destroying magic for good. However, the team comes to find that it may not have been the Spectre at all, and instead another more powerful being behind the heinous crimes. The Day of Vengeance miniseries is a tie-in event to Infinite Crisis.
15. Dark Horse Presents: The Wolves of Saint August (1994)
The Wolves of Saint August is a four-part story within the Dark Horse Presents anthology series. Hellboy arrives to the town of Griat where all the townspeople have been killed by some sort of animal. However, something is different about these killings, this isn’t any ordinary animal. Hellboy must face the creature that awaits him and rid of the paranormal activity within the town.
16. Scarlet Witch (2015-2017)
Wanda Maximoff is one of the most powerful and known witches in comics. Her supernatural genetics give her the ability to manipulate her targets and the energy around her, making her an unstoppable force. This solo series follows the witch traveling across the world to fix witchcraft. Along the way, she must stop the occurrence of other magical crimes and investigate the ultimate source behind these happenings.
17. The Occult World of Sabrina (upcoming)
Following the TV series the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, this comic run will continue the never-ending story of Sabrina. Although not released yet, it is most definitely worth keeping an eye out for before the end of 2022.
What did you think of these Comics about Witches and the Occult?
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