Dark Horse Comics has long stood as a beacon of daring, offbeat storytelling. From brutal alien invasions to introspective horror and genre-defying mythology, this publisher doesn’t pull punches — it crafts unforgettable worlds. With iconic licensed properties like Aliens, Tomb Raider, and Predator, and creator-owned heavy-hitters like Hellboy and Crying Freeman, Dark Horse offers stories as bold and unfiltered as the creators behind them.
This list curates 20 graphic novels and volumes that showcase the sheer breadth of the Dark Horse catalog. Whether you crave atmospheric horror, post-apocalyptic dread, or stylish pulp revenge — there’s something here to grip you by the spine and not let go.
1. 300
Writer/Artist: Frank Miller, Lynn Varley
Release Year: 1998
Summary: A stylized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartans stand against the Persian empire.
Why It’s Awesome: Miller’s bold visuals and sparse dialogue turn history into myth. It’s cinematic, visceral, and utterly relentless.
2. Hellboy Vol. 1: Seed of Destruction
Writer/Artist: Mike Mignola, John Byrne
Release Year: 1994
Summary: A demonic paranormal investigator uncovers his origins while battling dark forces from another dimension.
Why It’s Awesome: A gothic mix of folklore, monsters, and fate. Mignola’s art is instantly iconic.
3. Aliens: Alchemy
Writer/Artist: John Arcudi, Richard Corben
Release Year: 1997
Summary: Escaped prisoners face off against Xenomorphs in a savage, claustrophobic nightmare.
Why It’s Awesome: Corben’s surreal, grotesque art adds a new dimension to Xenomorph terror.
4. Aliens: Sacrifice
Writer/Artist: Peter Milligan, Paul Johnson
Release Year: 1993
Summary: A woman confronts a cult that worships Xenomorphs as gods.
Why It’s Awesome: A disturbing meditation on trauma, faith, and madness with haunting visuals.
5. I Am a Hero Omnibus Vol. 2
Writer/Artist: Kengo Hanazawa
Release Year: 2018 (English)
Summary: A neurotic artist navigates Japan’s zombie apocalypse with unreliable narration and psychological dread.
Why It’s Awesome: Bleak, detailed, and eerily grounded. It’s horror with brains and breakdowns.
6. Tomb Raider Vol. 1: Season of the Witch
Writer/Artist: Gail Simone, Nicolás Daniel Selma
Release Year: 2014
Summary: Lara faces mercenaries and curses after the events of Yamatai.
Why It’s Awesome: Simone nails Lara’s emotional core while keeping the action fierce and supernatural.
7. Crying Freeman Vol. 1
Writer/Artist: Kazuo Koike, Ryoichi Ikegami
Release Year: 2006 (English edition)
Summary: An assassin weeps for every kill while caught in mafia webs and inner torment.
Why It’s Awesome: Gorgeous, dramatic art meets operatic martial arts noir.
8. Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom
Writer/Artist: Jim Shooter, Dennis Calero
Release Year: 2010
Summary: A physicist becomes a living atomic force fighting to retain his humanity.
Why It’s Awesome: A retro reinvention with high-concept energy battles and philosophical depth.
9. Aliens: Resistance
Writer/Artist: Brian Wood, Robert Carey
Release Year: 2019
Summary: Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks expose Weyland-Yutani’s alien experiments.
Why It’s Awesome: Expands the Alien universe with rebellion, fear, and moral weight.
10. Aliens: Defiance Vol. 1
Writer/Artist: Brian Wood, Tristan Jones
Release Year: 2016
Summary: A rogue marine defies orders to destroy Xeno bioweapons.
Why It’s Awesome: Raw, intelligent sci-fi with fierce pacing and a rebellious heart.
11. Barb Wire Vol. 1: Steel Harbor Blues
Writer/Artist: Chris Warner, Patrick Olliffe
Release Year: 2015
Summary: A bounty hunter defends her turf in a gang-ridden, dystopian city.
Why It’s Awesome: Barb’s tough-as-nails attitude gives this hard-boiled action real punch.
12. Tomb Raider Vol. 3
Writer/Artist: Rhianna Pratchett, Derlis Santacruz
Release Year: 2015
Summary: Lara investigates a cult while plagued by deadly visions.
Why It’s Awesome: Mythic tension and character introspection collide with supernatural dread.
13. Aliens vs. Predator
Writer/Artist: Randy Stradley, Phil Norwood
Release Year: 1991
Summary: The Yautja hunt Xenomorphs on a human colony world.
Why It’s Awesome: This crossover kickstarted a brutal legacy with primal energy and unrelenting action.
14. Barb Wire Vol. 2: Hot Wired
Writer/Artist: John Arcudi, Lee Moder
Release Year: 1994
Summary: Barb tackles corrupt power and superhuman threats in Steel Harbor.
Why It’s Awesome: ‘90s grit meets pulp politics. The street fights are slick and dirty.
15. I Am a Hero Omnibus Vol. 1
Writer/Artist: Kengo Hanazawa
Release Year: 2016 (English)
Summary: A manga artist’s breakdown coincides with the end of the world.
Why It’s Awesome: Psychological dread wrapped in cinematic zombie horror. Not your average apocalypse.
16. Hellboy Vol. 8: Darkness Calls
Writer/Artist: Mike Mignola, Duncan Fegredo
Release Year: 2007
Summary: Hellboy faces witches and the ancient sorceress Baba Yaga.
Why It’s Awesome: Deeply mythic and artistically rich — a gothic fairy tale from hell.
17. Crying Freeman Vol. 2
Writer/Artist: Kazuo Koike, Ryoichi Ikegami
Release Year: 2006 (English edition)
Summary: Freeman confronts rival assassins and the cost of his dual life.
Why It’s Awesome: Passion, power, and precision storytelling wrapped in seductive violence.
18. Tomb Raider Vol. 2
Writer/Artist: Rhianna Pratchett, Derlis Santacruz
Release Year: 2015
Summary: Lara faces ancient curses and internal ghosts.
Why It’s Awesome: This is survival adventure with a wounded soul at the helm.
19. Aliens: Defiance Vol. 2
Writer/Artist: Brian Wood, Stephen Thompson
Release Year: 2017
Summary: Zula’s mission deepens as corporate horrors multiply.
Why It’s Awesome: Paranoia, betrayal, and pulse rifles. This sequel keeps things tight and intense.
20. Barb Wire (1999) Vol. 1
Writer/Artist: Chris Warner, Dan Lawlis
Release Year: 1999
Summary: Barb battles escalating violence and a city on the brink.
Why It’s Awesome: Classic ‘90s comic bombast with bullets, bikes, and brutal beauty.
Final Thoughts
Dark Horse isn’t just a publisher — it’s a proving ground for bold, brilliant, and bloody storytelling. From supernatural detectives to cold-blooded assassins and biomechanical nightmares, this top 20 represents the publisher’s fearless embrace of genre extremes and emotional depth.
Got a favorite Dark Horse series that didn’t make the cut? Let us know. Your next obsession might be lurking just outside the spotlight — in the shadows, where Dark Horse thrives.
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