If you aren't a fan of horror movies or the new wave of horror TV shows but want to get into the creepy spirit of the season, consider heading to your local comic book story and picking up a spooky graphic novel. Immersive, compelling, and dark, comic books are incredibly effective at delivering spine tingling chills without the same intensity as a scary movie. Comics excel at delivering atmospheric, subtle, and refined thrills, without relying on jump scares and menacing soundtracks. Comics combine art and words, allowing readers to explore the story at their own pace, meaning it can be easier to feel the fun of fear without having to watch blood and guts.

We dusted off our shelves and pulled down some of our most cherished titles, just perfect for a fireside read on a cold October night. So get your favorite adult beverage, steal some of the kid's Halloween candy, and get ready to sleep with the light on, because these are our favorite horror comics. 

1. Wytches by Scott Snyder, Jock, and Matt Hollingsworth 

Sailor is an average teenage girl--she gets picked on by mean girls at school, is embarrassed of her parents, oh, and she sees ancient evil stalking her outside her bedroom window. In the wake of a traumatic incident, Sailor's parents have moved back to her mother's childhood home, hoping for a fresh start for their family. Instead what they find is Sailor's anxiety is even worse, as she now claims to see unexplained monsters lurking in the woods. Her father tries to be supportive and understand his daughter's anxiety, but his own issues get in the way. Is Sailor just damaged from her past, or is something truly out to get her? Between the pages of this psychedelic, dark, and surprisingly tender graphic novel, you'll find out. Published by Image Comics, the first trade paperback is widely available with a second arc kicking off in 2017. 

2. Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol 

Teenage Anya is dealing with some seriously messed up stuff: her first generation immigrant parents just don't understand what it means to be an American kid, the boy of her dreams barely notices her, and she's somehow managed to pick up the sad ghost of a girl just about her own age. It's not that Anya couldn't use another friend--her human best friend is just a little prettier, a little more mature, and doesn't understand what Anya is going through with her conservative parents. When Anya accidentally falls into a hole, she meets Emily, a teenage girl who died in 1918. At first, Emily seems like exactly what Anya needs in her life. She's smart, caring, and helpful, even going so far as to get Anya on her crush's radar. But soon, it becomes clear that Emily wants a much more dangerous kind of friendship, one that Anya isn't prepared to have. Brosgol's art is charming, with exquisitely styled characters and impressive acting. While this book is considered young adult, it's creepy, touching, and haunting enough for all readers. 

3. Ghosts and Ruins by Ben Catmull 

This graphic novel breaks traditional comic storytelling conventions--Catmull's paneling, pace, and coloring definitely swing to the fine art side of graphic novels, making this an elegant and entertaining read. Ghosts and Ruins features thirteen unlucky homes with eerie histories that unfold in Catmull's compelling prose. Catmull punctuates the morose undertones of his tales with wickedly funny elements, including an entity who kicks men in the family jewels and has to watch many unfortunate souls clip their toe nails. Other worldly and inventive, this book is perfect for a coffee table but will also spark your imagination to wonder what's happening behind the drawings that the author isn't telling his readers. This book blends urban legends, familiar folklore, and brand-new yarns that will leave you lingering over the beautiful pages long after you've finished reading. 

4. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

This award-winning comic is an impressive and haunting work of art by the talented Emily Carroll. Fans of Victorian ephemera, Edward Gorey, Mary Shelly, and classic lore will be obsessed with Carroll's storytelling, which is exquisite and unearthly. The gothic fairytale aesthetic of Through The Woods will appeal to all ages of readers, while the prose will fill younger readers with a sense of mystery. Carroll's work is one of the finest examples of how to use the page turn to fully build dread, and plays upon the curious child inside all of us. Featuring five stories, the book provides a satisfying read with the complex, immersive artwork. If you grew up reading Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark under the covers with a flashlight, then Through the Woods will have an immediate place in your heart. 

You've still got time before the trick or treaters arrive to run to the bookstore and bring home a few treats for yourself--so let us know what your favorite scary Halloween reads are and post comments with how you're spending the creepiest night of the year.