Scream Season is here!
Sort of!
Well. Not really, not yet. But even if the weather isn't changing over yet, it can still basically be autumn if we let our delusions win. The things is, October is fast approaching, and we here at Sheep Cult Comics are getting into the spirit of things. With October comes Halloween, and with Halloween comes horror. Vampires and witches and skeletons, oh my!
We firmly believe that the best way to celebrate the spooky season is to be reading some scary stories. So if you're like us and want to get into the spirit of the season by reading about spirits, you're in the right place. This blog post will concern itself with a few different types of reading lists depending on the kind of content you're typically interested in. Not a huge fan of being scared? We've got a list for that. Really interested in queer horror? We've got a list for that, too! Pick through, find what suits you and leave the rest.
What to Read if You're a Scaredy Cat:
Zines and comics for fans of cozy Halloween vibes with no real interest in anything too scary. This selection is comprised of stories where hororr meets comedy!
A series of three comics following a loser vampire named Bubba as he figures out what to do with eternity from the drivers seat of his 18 wheeler. Charming, funny, to die for.
A horror comedy about a local couple dealing with their "eccentric" neighbor. This is a story that pokes fun at the idea have having a truly awful neighbor while being quiet frightening at the same time.
Experience the journey of the after life alongside a recently displaced soul who is looking for her version of heaven alongside her faithful canine companion. This is a reflective read with vibrant colors and lots of heart.
The tale of a novice scarecrow learning to take proper care of a farmer's squash crops. A truly perfect autumn story full of warmth and hijinks.
An anthology collection of short horror stories blended with humor and heart as personal narrative meets imagination.
A semi-ghost story and a doomed encounter with spiritualism! This autobiographical comic brings together an unexpected narrative about what exists beyond our world.
What to Read if You're a Practiced Horror fan:
Our scariest reads with the most unsettling illustrations and stories to linger in my mind after you've turned all the lights off to turn in for bed at the end of the day.
An intense and unsettling comic dealing with themes of self-examination and recriminations through the stories of waifish Victorian children plunged into a quest to overcome the darkness within.
A disturbing tale of jealousy, self loathing, and so very many holes. Not to be read if you have trouble with trypophobia! In under 30 pages, this succinct comic has you itching in your skin.
When a young woman is plagued by the unusual and mysterious illness of vomiting up black orbs, she quickly loses any autonomy in her life. Medical horror is in fine form in this sickening story.
This 3 am occult adventure pulls our narrator into danger as he delves into what lurks in the darkness while everyone else is sound asleep.
Another great short horror comic from Dane Georges, passenger pulls on the classic scary story of picking up the wrong kind of hitchhiker. Moody and atmospherically creepy with careful attention to detail.
Sacrificial Love is a fascinating approach to horror storytelling that will have you hooked. A story told in nine parts- which can be read in any order- focused around cloistered nuns at one convent and the vampire that passes in and out of the place.
Body horror and the male gaze are expertly explored by Ruby Carter in this short comic with searing illustrations that bite at you. A reading experience you won't forget!
The real horror is corporate employment in this comic by Mads Whelan that delves into the creeping dread of being shed in the latest corporate molt. With an illustration style full of sharp angles and a story to keep you hooked!
Mavis has a particular taste in men. And really, that's all you need to know to enjoy this sensual 8 page comic digging into themes of body horror.
A supernatural horror thriller splattered with dark humor in the vein of Grady Hendrix and Welcome to Nightvale. The first volume of this series tells the story of a traveling sales team who find that once certain doors open, they are impossible to close.
What to Read if You Love Queer Horror:
Stories written and illustrated by the queer community featuring queer characters.
A comedic story of supernatural partners Andras, Dante, and Genesis trying to go on a successful date night. But these monsters encounter quite a few humorous obstacles on their night to remember.
The Queer-oween zines compile found archival digital photos showcasing queer celebrations, subversions, and revelries related to Halloween. If you've ever said "I hate gay Halloween, what do you mean you're [fill in the blank]", then you should absolutely check these delightful zines out.
For better or for worse, the bodies we inhabit are our homes. But despite the old adage, home isn't always the safest place to be. A compendium of eight queer stories focused on body horror.
A silent, sapphic, horror-esque book about a girl walking in the woods late at night. Eerie and excellent!
"A nature-goth jaunt about desperate dykes, prying eyes, and tearing flesh". This comic's beautifully illustrated pages will have you entranced and weary of the open road.
What to Read if You Want in on The Action:
RPG booklets that bring the horror to life and put you in charge of the story.
Two player RPG played through the process of writing journal entries. Focused on a rural town where something sinister seems to be occurring. Get involved in the haunt, dig into the mystery with a friend.
The summer camp slasher RPG game of your dreams to be played with a group. Navigate typical councilor responsibilities while also investigating what lurks in the woods.
A solo RPG about survival. Play as a survivor lost in the bleak frozen wilderness trying to make it to safety. The further you travel, the clearer it becomes that something is hunting you.
What to Read for Further Research:
Comics, zines, and books all digging further into what's available in Chicago's horror scene and in the wider world historically.
The go-to collection of horror events in the city of Chicago compiled at the turn of every season by two absolute pros on everything spooky. Find events, reviews, and pop-ups around the city!
A special edition of Cran Magazine focused on all things Mothman. Full of comics, puzzles, and trivia about Chicago's winged cryptid.
Collected reviews of horror movies that are technically, but not explicitly, holiday themed. The author of this zine frames this as a letterboxd list, but analog!
But that's not all, folks!
If you've got a craving for the macabre that goes beyond reading these excellent books, then tune in on our social media for upcoming events! The cult will be celebrating all month with fun activities. Kick off the season by stopping by the store the night of Friday, October the 2nd for Mike Freiheit's Haunted Universe Show!
