As 2023 comes to a close, even us horror enthusiasts can’t escape the allure of reflecting back on the past year. Only for us, it’s a fond recollection of the most gruesome, gory, and ghoulish moments. So, without further ado, here’s a look back at some of the most jaw-dropping scenes in all the Archie Horror comics released in 2023!
From "Be Mine or Die," in BETTY: THE FINAL GIRL. Story by Casey Gilly, Art by Carola Borelli, Ellie Wright, and Jack Morelli.
February: Our first horror release of the year came in the anthology one-shot BETTY: THE FINAL GIRL. While this featured three amazing and brutal tales of survival, this image of Brigitte serving some vigilante justice against her animal-masked kidnappers is the stuff dreams (or rather, nightmares) are made of.
From "Night Shift," in POP'S CHOCK'LIT SHOPPE OF HORRORS. Story by Ryan Cady, Art by Chris Panda, Ellie Wright, and Jack Morelli.
March: In March, we got our first installment of POP'S CHOCK'LIT SHOPPE OF HORRORS! Another anthology collection, featuring three sinister tales of the seedy underbelly of the beloved malt shoppe. And if you need a taste of just how gruesome these tales can be, these panels outta whet your appetite.
From THE CULT OF THAT WILKIN BOY. Story by Cullen Bunn, art by Dan Schoening, Ben Galvan, Matt Herms, and Jack Morelli.
April: THE CULT OF THAT WILKIN BOY will make you never look at Bingo Wilkin the same way again. Talented? Sure. Charismatic? Absolutely? Quite possibly the evillest man alive? I’ll leave that to you to decide.
From JINX: A CURSED LIFE. Story by Magdalene Visaggio. Art by Craig Cermak, Ellie Wright, and Jack Morelli.
May: Jinx is a talented young lady. She can play guitar (well, she can wail on the guitar), she's well-read (at least she has a very huge library), AND she can perform exorcisms, as seen in JINX: A CURSED LIFE. What can't she do? Well, for one, she can't erase possessed Jughead's creepy demon smile from my mind.
From "Bug Juice" in CAMP PICKENS. Story by Jordan Morris, Art by Diana Camero, Matt Herms, and Jack Morelli.
June: CAMP PICKENS gave us a ghost tale, a slasher, and a ghost story all in one summer fun package. But let’s hear it for that creepy camper on the ceiling... what’s his deal?!
From STRANGE SCIENCE. Story by Magdalene Visaggio, Art by Butch Mapa, Ellie Wright, and Jack Morelli.
August: STRANGE SCIENCE was a sci-fi horror unlike anything we’ve ever published. Complete with TIME MONSTERS. (Ok, that’s not technically correct, but this was a monster found from messing with time, we’ll pass on any offers to take a spin in a time machine, thanks.)
From MADAM SATAN: HELL ON EARTH. Story by Eliot Rahal, Art by Vincenzo Federici, Ellie Wright, and Jack Morelli.
September: Madam Satan came back to earth and brought all of Hell with her in MADAM SATAN: HELL ON EARTH... but nothing is more gut-wrenching than this scene of Madam Satan discovering her deceased beloved pet crow.
From WELCOME TO RIVERDALE. Story by Amy Chase, Art by Liana Kangas, Ellie Wright, and Jack Morelli.
October: Archie Horror’s Month of Mayhem’s first offering, WELCOME TO RIVERDALE’s horrors were psychological and supernatural… but that doesn’t mean there weren’t any brutalities. Poor Mayor Glibb, he really did it to himself…
From "Love Evernever" in TOYBOX OF TERROR. Story by Timmy Heague, Art by Ryan Caskey, Matt Herms, and Jack Morelli.
October: October's second Month of Mayhem offering, FEAR THE FUNHOUSE PRESENTS... TOYBOX OF TERROR brought toys to terrifying life... and even turned a few humans into toys, as seen here. Poor Evelyn, all she ever wanted was justice for her dear doll Minerva...
That's a wrap on Archie Horror in 2023. But don't fret, we'll be back with plenty more shocking, horrifying, and jaw-dropping comics in 2024! Til then, catch up on 2022's horror offerings in the Archie Horror Presents... Chilling Adventures collection. Show your Halloween Horror fandom with this Archie Comics X Halloween print. And spread the word of Archie Horror to everyone you know with the Archie Horror Scare Package.
'Til next year, be safe out there!