Gift Guide for Horror Fans
Finding the right gift for that special weirdo in your life can be challenging. But fear not gentle shopper, we hear at World Geekly News are here to help. We’ve put together a list (complete with links) of some great gift ideas for the dearly demented darlings in your life.
While we have put links to amazon or other sites, we suggest, if at all possible – shop local.
Comics –
There are a plethora of horror comics out there. Horror comics are – However, don’t assume that comics are just for kids. With one exception the comics below are filled with violence, nudity, vulgar language and adult situations,
Locke and Key
Created by Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) this horror fantasy revolves around a dark family secret that goes back generations. A gripping plot, wonderful characters, and supernatural intrigue abound makes this a can’t miss comic and a great gift. And, it’s just in time for your friend or loved one to read up in preparation for the upcoming Netflix adaptation. You can start with just the first volume but honestly we suggest going all out and getting the deluxe set as it is more of graphic novel than an on going series.
Hellblazer
Conman, exorcist, and ultimate anti-hero John Constantine is the protagonist for long DC/Vertigo’s long running series Hellblazer. Some of the greatest authors and illustrators have worked on this title. There isn’t a bad book in the bunch either. Any volume of the original run is worth looking into.
HellBoy
Mike Mignola’s ground breaking series is as good today as it was when it first came on the comic scene back in 1993. The Hellboy stories combine myths, magic, folk tales, horror, noir mysteries, and action packed adventures into a gorgeously stylized comic. While the movies can be hit or miss the comics are just fantastic. You can get them here.
Tales from the Crypt – one of the original horror comics. EC Comics have released their entire runs of Tales of Terror, Tales from the Crypt, etc in both paperback and large hardbound editions. These are not only wonderfully stories they are beautifully reproduced in these collections. While these comics started the comic book code (think movie rating scale) due to their violence and horror themes, they are tame by today’s standards and should be suitable for most ages. You can find the hardcover edition here but cheaper volumes are easy to find.
Afterlife With Archie.
Archie? Yes. Archie. THAT Archie. Like Jughead, Veronica, sweet, wholesome loveable Archie. But this is an Archie comic that any horror fan will love. Afterlife with Archie takes zombies, werewolves, and all sorts of creepy crawly creatures and puts them right in Riverdale. This is not a comic for kids. This iteration of Archie is complete with buckets of blood and gore.
Books
Sure Stephen King is still…well… king of the genre and his son Joe Hill will likely inherit the throne. Both are phenomenal writers. But chances are, your black hearted loved one already has read them before. We’ve added some titles that aren’t as widely known but are no less spectacular.
John Lagan – There is no name I hear recommended more often by die hard horror fans lately than John Lagan. Lagan is a bit of a slow burn horror writer – this is not blood and gore abound. It is more intellectual but also deeply weird and wonderful.
We suggest The Fisherman or The Wide, Carnivorous Sky and other Monstrous Geographies.
James Herbert – If you grew up in the UK you probably know James Herbert. But, oddly enough this master of horror never got his full dues. He is every bit as talented as Stephen King and has a similar writing style. The books move at a rapid pace and are wonderful horror adventure tales.
We suggest The Rats or The Fog.
John Dies at the End by David Wong. – To weird for words. If your horror loving loved one has a quirky sense of humor this novel by the editor of Cracked.com is funny, terrifying, and just plain weird. This book is as if John Hughes and Hunter S. Thompson had a kid who was raised by Stephen King.
The Wolfen by Whitley Strieber – Ignore the 1980’s movie. While it’s not bad it misses the point of the novel. Strieber has created one of the the greatest werewolf stories of all times. No full moons or supernatural beings here. Instead, man has created myth of the werewolf from a terrifying result of evolution. Tense, smart, and wholly engaging. Click here to get a copy.
The Rust Maidens by Gwendolyn Kiste – this one is coming as a third part recommendation so I can’t stand by it personally. However, this award winning authors debut novel made waves in the horror community and it is certainly on my reading list. Here’s the blurb
“Something’s happening to the girls on Denton Street. It’s the summer of 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio, and Phoebe Shaw and her best friend Jacqueline have just graduated high school, only to confront an ugly, uncertain future. Across the city, abandoned factories populate the skyline; meanwhile at the shore, one strong spark, and the Cuyahoga River might catch fire. But none of that compares to what’s happening in their own west side neighborhood. The girls Phoebe and Jacqueline have grown up with are changing. It starts with footprints of dark water on the sidewalk. Then, one by one, the girls’ bodies wither away, their fingernails turning to broken glass, and their bones exposed like corroded metal beneath their flesh.”
Most of the books we mentioned are on audiobook on Audible as well.
Video Games
Why watch horror when you can live it? Horror video games can be a great way to relieve the experience of a good horror story while keeping things fresh. There are lots of great games out there we just went with our top 2 favorites lately.
The Blair Witch –The game takes place shortly after the first movie. While it may not stand up to other horror games against the test of time, it is gorgeous, unsettling, and fairly clever.
Resident Evil 7 The Resident Evil franchise has been around long enough to move from innovator to imitator. After stagnating for a few year the RE franchise went through some changes to deliver one of
the most terrifying games in recent history. Resident Evil 7 is one of those near perfect gaming experiences. It is a highly enjoyable gaming experience and terrifying to boot. How scary? The first time I played it was during a thunderstorm with surround sounds and the lights off. After about an hour, I was so scared I turned the lights back on and turned up the brightness on the TV. For the record I am a grown ass adult.
Board Games
Board games have evolved well beyond Sorry! and Monopoly. They can be super engrossing, complex, and wondrous social events that are having a bit of a resurgence lately. We asked our own board game geeks as well as friends across Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter, and everyone agreed these are some of the best horror based board games out there.
Mansion of Madness – “
Mansions of madness second edition is a fully cooperative, app-driven board game of horror and mystery for one to five players that takes place in the same universe as eldritch horror and elder sign of H.P Lovecraft. Explore the veiled and Misty streets of innsmouth and stumble through the haunted corridors of arkham’s cursed Mansions as you search of answers and respite. Dive into the required app to confront scenarios of fear and mystery, collecting weapons, tools, and information, solving complex puzzles, and fighting monsters, insanity, and Death. Open the door and step inside these hair-raising Mansions of madness second edition. It will take more than just survival to conquer the evils terrorizing this town.”
Betrayal at House on haunted hill
“Betrayal at House on the Hill Board Game -2nd Edition: Take a deep breath before you enter. It might be your last. Your fear will grow with each tile you place as you investigate a house filled with dreadful monsters and deadly secrets. With 50 fiendish scenarios (including seven new haunts) and dozens of danger-filled rooms, you’ll return to the house again and again – as often as you dare – and never face the same game twice. Contents include 1 rulebook, 2 haunt books, 44 room tiles, 1 Entrance Hall/Foyer/Grand staircase tile, 6 explorer figures, 6 two-sided character cards, 30 plastic clips, 8 dice, 1 Turn/Damage track, 80 cards (events, item, omen and more) and 149 tokens. For 3 – 6 players, ages 12 and up.” (taken from description on amazon.com)
- A living card game of Eldritch mystery or 1 to 2 Players (or up to 4 with 2 core sets)
- Blurs the line between the traditional card gaming and role Playing Experiences
- Players assume the roles of unique investigators marked by specific strengths and weakness
- Investigators are opposed by the challenges from adventure specific encounter decks
- Campaign rules Grant additional depth to Your decisions and allows you to “level up” Your deck between adventures
(taken from description on amazon.com)
Mad About Horror – There are lots of horror themed websites to shop from. We like Mad About Horror but could recommend plenty of others. This web site has some great horror items. Two clear winners in our book is the VHS blankets and the Christmas ornaments or Horrornaments (trying say that five times fast.) There is also a nice array of shirts, jewelry and other nicknacks. 
Etsy is also a wonderful place to get gifts. Not only are the presents unique, you are likely supporting a independent artist – and to be honest – we love that. There are a gajillion horror etsy artists out there so we are just going to pick a few to help you on your way.
These VHS lamps from NancysJars are to die for. Lots of different movies to pick from.
These prints of H.P. Lovecraft stories from Simonillustaration will drive your friends and family to the brink of madness with joy.
Honestly, who doesn’t love a good bath set? But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a little spooky too. The Horror box has candles, body scrubs and a bath bomb that are horror themed.
