Originally posted on my blog
The Netflix original series "Stranger Things" was released in July, and it has taken the world by storm, transporting its viewers back to the early 1980s and making those of us who grew up watching things like "E.T: The Extra Terrestrial", "The Never Ending Story" and "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" feel like we were kids again. It was also a masterfully executed suspense drama by way of a science fiction horror. If you enjoyed Stranger Things and would like to read something that evoked a similar feeling, here is a small list of comic books you can check out.
Harrow County - Dark Horse Comics
"Harrow County" evolved from a prose story author Cullen Bunn first published on his blog into an ongoing horror comic book written by Bunn and illustrated by Tyler Crook and published by Dark Horse Comics. It is set in a small town (where the book gets its name) and the story relates the connection between all manner of spooky happenings and a young girl called Emily. As her family history is explored, the reader learns of these connections, and the horror conventions are explored in interesting ways. The art and layouts really draw you into this chilling world, and each issue leaves you wanting more.
Paper Girls - Image Comics
"Paper Girls" is the brainchild of the amazing Brian K Vaughn (Ex Machina, Y: The Last Man, Saga) and artist Cliff Chiang. Its set in the 80s, and features four young girls undertaking the local area's paper route. Along the way they stumble across what looks like an alien invasion. Vaughn's masterful science fiction writing is on full display here and is supplemented with the clean lines and bold colours of Chiang and colourist Matt Wilson. If you grew up in a time when newspapers were delivered by a kid on a bike you'll instantly recognise the atmosphere created in "Paper Girls".
"Revival" has been one of my favourite ongoing titles to come from Image Comics in recent years. Having just surpassed 40 issues, "Revival" tells the story of a small town in the middles of Wisconsin and the mysterious revival of several of its recently deceased. It is also a family drama, a police procedural & an examination of conservative christianity, and perfectly balances these elements into an engaging and beautifully realised series.A slow burn drama, "Revival" rewards its readers with expertly placed reveals. Inspired in part by the French film "Les Revenants", "Revival" is a gripping rural noir with some amazingly creepy parts sprinkled throughout.
The creative dynamic duo of Scott Snyder (American Vampire, Batman, Swamp Thing) and Jock (Judge Dredd, Detective Comics, The Losers, Green Arrow: Year One) come together to bring one of the most beautifully illustrated and genuinely scary comic books in publication history. This is the most similar of the four I've listed here to "Stranger Things", as it is about the loss of a child. This loss is explored in a much different way though, and asks the question "what would a parent do to get their child back?". Each page is rendered in a way which enhances the story, the layouts being perfectly utilised as a storytelling device, and jack the tension up as the story progresses. "Wytches" is an instant classic.