Sink your teeth into these terrifying and fun vampire comics and graphic novels for adults and teens.
Where else can you find vampires from classic American comics and… ninjas? Below, Jeremy and I are showcasing the best vampire graphic novels and comics filled with LGBTQ+ horror stories, steamy romances, and whimsical fun set against a backdrop of fangs and gore. Jeremy is our pro dark tourist writer, after all. Plus, travel to Japan, New York City, spooky forests, the future, and more. This is a devour-worthy reading list. 🖤 Christine
You may also enjoy The Uncorked Librarian’s master list of must-read vampire books. We also have a witchy comic book and graphic novel reading list for our fantasy lovers.
Carmilla: The First Vampire by Amy Chu & Illustrated by Soo Lee and Sal Cipriano
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Before Dracula, we had Carmilla. She hasn’t survived this long without getting her, er, fangs wet. Based on the 1872 Gothic novella, Carmilla: The First Vampire is a modern-ish queer revamp (haha) in 1990s NYC.
Athena Lo, a social worker, is concerned about the increasing number of murders involving young women across the city. When no one will listen to her, she decides to investigate. At a nightclub in Chinatown, Athena is inexplicably drawn to a young girl. Is something more sinister going on at this nightclub? Or, is Athena chasing clues that lead nowhere?
Why TUL Recommends Reading Carmilla
Steeped in Chinese folklore, Carmilla: The First Vampire is one of the best vampire graphic novels for those who love both Gothic and noir aesthetics. Plus, you know we live for armchair travel to New York.
Bleed Them Dry by Eliot Rahal & Illustrated by Dike Ruan
Miquel Muerto (Colorist)
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Imagine a future in which vampires are real, and they get along with humans in a (mostly) peaceful fashion. What would happen if violent murders shatter that peace? And also, there are ninjas?!…
That’s the main premise in author Eliot Rahal’s futuristic tech-noir ninja vampire detective mystery thriller, an enjoyable ride with more genre keywords than most vampire comics out there.
It is 3333, in the Japanese-engineered mega-city called Asylum, which sits on a gradually recovering Earth. Detective Harper Halloway’s investigations lead to more revelations than she initially bargained for.
Why TUL Recommends Reading Bleed Them Dry & Who Will Love It
Gritty, gory, and definitely hard-boiled, enjoy a crisp, clear art style from illustrator Dike Ruan. Bleed Them Dry is perfect for readers who want to travel to Japan via their armchair.
Fangs by Sarah Andersen
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Hanging out at a bar that welcomes monsters, Elsie and Jimmy feel an instant connection. By the end of the night, they’ve confessed their big secrets: Elsie is a vampire and Jimmy is a werewolf. But does Elsie want a romance – or does she want a meal?
Why TUL Recommends Reading Fangs & Who Will Love It
What follows is easily one of the cutest, sweetest vampire comics you’ll ever read, as these two monsters learn to navigate this unconventional relationship. Told mostly in snapshots of the couple’s life, Fangs is full of adorable and weirdly relatable moments with cheesy jokes.
Author and illustrator Sarah Andersen is most well-known for her Sarah Scribbles comics. Fans will love this equally fun collection. If you seek out adult monster books, read our favorite books with werewolves.
Wynd by James Tynion IV & Illustrated by Michael Dialynas
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Life in Pipetown is quiet for Wynd, and he’d like to keep it that way. When not working at the tavern kitchen, he spends his time hiding from patrons and sneaking off to snatch glimpses of the castle groundskeeper’s very athletic son.
Thanks to the militant, anti-magic city watch, magic does not last long in Pipetown. And Wynd is magical indeed – one look at his pointy ears will tell you that. When tragedy strikes, Wynd finds himself on an adventure.
Why TUL Recommends Reading Wynd
With a vibrant mixture of queer whimsy and merciless violence, Wynd is one of the more imaginative and compelling vampire graphic novel series available. This is a terrific LGBT fantasy book.
Zombillénium by Arthur de Pins
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Welcome to Zombillénium, the theme park where the fun never – EVER – stops! That’s because all the workers here are undead. Don’t tell anyone. Owned and led by the vampire Francis von Bloodt, this collection of scary attractions and even scarier employees welcomes all visitors. Some of them might even survive their stay.
And that’s as it should be: The Zombillénium is just as beholden to the global economy as the next business. Repeat customers mean repeat profits. Those profits are down right now, but this could be about to change with a new arrival…
Why TUL Recommends Reading Zombillénium
Zombillénium started as a comic strip, which is evident in the cartoony panels and fun character designs. There are plenty of hijinks, both supernatural and all-too-relatable. This recommendation is best for those who enjoy dark humor.
When I Arrived at the Castle by E.M. Carroll
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Sometimes, the less said about a book before you read it, the better for shock value… Follow a cat-eared human making her way to a castle to kill its only occupant: a vampire Countess.
She is not the first, and her motivations are not immediately known. When she arrives, she is surprised to find that the Countess is expecting her. From there, readers are taken on a surreal and fantastical journey – one fraught with danger, horror, and… seduction.
Why TUL Recommends Reading When I Arrived at the Castle
When I Arrived at the Castle is one of the least conventional vampire comics on this reading list and VERY ADULT, perfect for readers who enjoy LGBTQ+ graphic novels and gothic horror. Find Canadian author E.M. Carroll’s other graphic novel, Through the Woods, on our spooky books reading list.
American Vampire by Scott Snyder & Stephen King & Illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque
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Set initially during the 1920s, our first story concerns aspiring actress Pearl, who, after arriving in Los Angeles, is brutally killed and turned into a vampire. She embarks upon a bloody quest to find those responsible and get her revenge, in more ways than one.
The second story is about the Wild West origins of a new breed of American vampires. They are genetically different and superior to the original undead beings.
Why TUL Recommends Reading American Vampire
American Vampire is an all-American addition to the vampire mythos. Authors Scott Snyder and Stephen King are the minds behind the first and second stories, respectively. However, this is Snyder’s creation, originally running in DC Comics’ Vertigo offshoot.
This is just as violent and uncompromising as you would expect (considering King’s involvement) and is one of the more brutal vampire comics on this list.
30 Days of Night by Scott Niles & Illustrated by Ben Templesmith
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Every year, the town of Barrow, Alaska, experiences a period of prolonged continuous darkness. Once the sun has set, it won’t rise for 30 days and nights.
Unfortunately for the people of Barrow, the lack of sunlight means that hordes of vampires descend on the town, free from the dangers of daytime or the need to sleep. Can one steadfast sheriff manage to use what little he has to defend against this nightmarish attack until the sun shines once more?
Why TUL Recommends Reading 30 Days of Night
30 Days of Night has a very distinct artistic style, with illustrator Ben Templesmith using the stark red of blood against the murky grays and blacks of darkness to create some truly terrifying panels.
This intense series of horror vampire graphic novels was made into a movie of the same name in 2007. Find even more great book-to-movie adaptations.
Vampironica by Greg Smallwood and Meg Smallwood
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The undead come to Riverdale in this spinoff from one of the oldest American comics ever printed. As if high school wasn’t complicated enough, a vampire bites fashionable, wealthy, and popular cheerleader Veronica Lodge. Now, she’s been reborn as Vampironica. Except, does she really want to start killing and draining her friends and neighbors?
Going on a bloodthirsty rampage is instinctual, but she could also become a powerful defender against evil. Decisions, decisions …
Why TUL Recommends Reading Vampironica
If you thought your vampire comics collection was missing some OG pedigree that’s also a bunch of dark fun, then the creative team of siblings Greg and Meg Smallwood has the answer with Vampironica.
FANGS by Billy Balibally
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What do you do if you’re unceremoniously turned into a vampire, develop a craving for your own blood, and your hair has turned white as snow? Fortunately, the incredibly helpful FANGS organization is on hand when this calamitous turn of events befalls En, the (un)lucky sole survivor of a vampire attack.
They’re here to make sure all new vampires make the transition from life to un-life smoothly. Soon enough, he’s introduced to the world of vampires and given a guardian and mentor in the form of the gorgeous Ichii.
But vampires are expected to get partnered up, in every possible definition of the word, and En shocks everyone by declaring in a panic that Ichii will be his choice. What will Ichii say to this? And how will En navigate this new bloodthirsty society?
Why TUL Recommends Reading Fangs & Who Will Enjoy It
FANGS will tick the boxes of queer vampire manga fans who are looking for more adult reading material. It’s a quality 4-star read.
Before You Go: What To Read Next
If you love scary comics, you might also want to peruse our horror graphic novel reading list, filled with werewolves, witches, ghosts vampires, and haunted houses.
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Let us know your favorite vampire comics and graphic novels in the comments.