It seems as though more and more series and movies are delving into and pulling from the world of horror comics. Some of our most anticipated TV series heading our way this year are based on horror comics. There’s an overwhelming selection to choose from, and thanks to the ongoing trend of superheroes on screen, the world of comic books is still a treasure trove with plenty of stories waiting to be mined. It makes sense, because horror is a very visual form of storytelling, something integral to the comic book format. If you’re looking to get into horror comics, with hundreds to choose from, where do you start? These five essential comics are self-contained within one or two graphic novels (so far), making for an easy entrance into horror comics with minimal commitment.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

With writer/creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa busy with the Netflix series adaptation and also with the Riverdale series on CW, this fantastic comic has quite likely been abandoned. It’s a shame too, because it’s far darker and more gruesome than the Netflix series with great art by Robert Hack. Even better? Salem is much more prominent, who not only talks but is the voice of reason to Sabrina’s impulsiveness. Set in the 1960s, this comic deals with Sabrina’s teen years of balancing high school with Satanic witchery. But, unlike the show, this version is much, much heavier on the cannibalism and gory flesh-eating, and Sabrina’s parentage comes with a bleaker history. Plus, way more Madame Satan.

Severed

Set in 1916, 12-year-old Jack Garron runs away from home to find his biological father. His journey finds him crossing paths with a friendly traveling salesman, one that happens to have rather sharp teeth and an appetite for children. Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Attila Futaki, Severed is a self-contained story comprised of 7 issues bound in one graphic novel. Briskly paced, suspenseful, and featuring one of the creepiest serial killers on the prowl, this graphic novel is rendered even creepier, and bloodier, thanks to Futaki’s amazing artwork.

Plastic

If you like your horror with a twisted sense of humor, then Plastic is definitely for you. It follows retired serial killer Edwyn Stoffgruppen as he’s forced back into the serial killing game when his lady love Virginia is kidnapped by the henchmen of a rich Louisiana crime boss. There’s just one catch- Virginia is a sex doll. All five issues rolled into one graphic novel, Plastic was written by Doug Wagner, illustrated by Daniel Hillyard, and colored by Laura Martin. Edwyn toggles the line between endearing and horrifically bloodthirsty, the precise antihero that makes this wacky tale so much fun. You’ll probably never look at donuts the same.

Through the Woods

A collection of five horror stories written and illustrated by Emily Carroll, Through the Woods is a gothic fairy tale-like collection of spooky stories that invokes the same type of unease as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, in that creepy illustrations combined with stories that effectively induces fear and results in sleeping with the lights on. It’s not graphic or gory, but more unsettling, atmospheric stories of horror. Brooding, morbid, and full of beautiful artwork, Through the Woods is one of the most unique horror comic books.

Ice Cream Man

Launched in June of last year, this genre-defying anthology series is now 8 issues (2 graphic novels) deep. Weaving the tales of addiction, misery, existential horror, sci-fi musical fantasy, an arachnophobe’s worst nightmare, and much more is the bizarre Ice Cream Man, a friend or foe depending on your tastes. He’s got every flavor, too. Surreal, weird, horrific, and more, Ice Cream Man is written by W. Maxwell Prince and illustrated by Martin Morazzo. If you want a lot of variety to your anthology, this is the winner.