Mystery books are great, but murder mystery comics are able to mix great storytelling with beautiful artwork to pull readers of all ages into the story. Comics and graphic novels pull readers in visually for those that both love mysteries as well as those that simply love looking at cool pics. I read some of the same comics hundreds of times as a kid and always found something new in the artwork. While as an adult, I only have time to read comics through once, I still spend a lot of time staring at the beautiful artwork.

If you’re just getting started out with murder mystery comics, or even if you just want some new options to explore, here are the top 10 murder mystery graphic novels and comics that are sure to keep you hooked from page 1:

“I always say the Crime, Mystery and Thriller genres are all part of the same three-sided coin: a Mystery is the crime from law enforcement’s point of view, the Crime story is from the criminal’s point of view, and a Thriller is from the victim’s point of view.”

— Fred Van Lente, #1 New York Times bestselling comic writer, CrimeReads

My Favorite Murder Mystery Comics

1. From Hell by Alan Moore & Eddie Campbell: From Hell is an ambitious, and dark look into the Jack the Ripper murders in Victorian London. Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell have created a beautiful page-turner that you have to read. They use black-and-white artwork to help intensify the atmosphere and the writing is quite chilling too.

2. Blacksad by Juan Díaz Canales & Juanjo Guarnido: This graphic novel is set in a post-World War II world, and follows private investigator John Blacksad, who is a tough feline detective who is navigating the dark underbelly of society. It’s a mix of classic noir and painted art that shows deep crime, corruption and moral ambiguity can really go, complete with richly developed characters and a beautiful setting.

3. The Good Asian by Pornsak Pichetshote: In this comic – Edison Hark is a Chinese-American detective investigating a series of murders in the heart of 1930s Chinatown. It’s a story filled with prejudice and corruption. And it gives readers a close look into Asian-American history through a noir lens. They also use vintage-inspired artwork throughout this mystery.

4. Nailbiter by Joshua Williamson: This story takes place in a small town called Buckaroo, where a strange phenomenon has created sixteen serial killers. Nailbiter follows NSA agent Nicholas Finch as he teams up with the local police force to discover how and why this happened. This is a psychological horror murder mystery comic that’s filled with dark humor and darker visuals.

5. The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips: This graphic novel is set in the golden age of Hollywood. After the death of an actress, screenwriter Charlie Parish is led down a rabbithole of deceit and blackmail. It’s got all the glitz and grime of 1940s Hollywood in this noir masterpiece.

6. Human Target by Tom King & Greg Smallwood: Human Target is about Christopher Chance, a bodyguard who takes on his clients’ identities to protect them. I loved the TV show, so this was on my list of comics to read as soon as I found about it. In this graphic novel, Chance finds himself the target after an assassination attempt gone wrong. It’s filled with stylish art and a fun story to match.

7. Friday by Ed Brubaker & Marcos Martin: This is a supernatural mystery that follows Friday Fitzhugh, a former detective who returns to her hometown and is immediately drawn into a very strange investigation. It’s a mystery that could put her entire town at risk. I won’t give away any more than this, but it’s a great story that I’m certain you’ll enjoy. This is a coming-of-age mystery with beautiful art complementing it.

8. Private Eye by Brian K. Vaughan & Marcos Martin: This graphic novel is set in the not-too-distant future where privacy no longer exists. So, really not to far from now. Private Eye follows a masked journalist-turned-detective who is trying to uncover secrets in a surveillance-heavy society. It’s a high-stakes mystery filled with gorgeous artwork that you’re certain to love.

9. Sherlock Holmes: The 7% Solution by Nicholas Meyer: This comic was adapted from Nicholas Meyer’s novel. It follows Sherlock Holmes as he undergoes treatment for his cocaine addiction, which leads him into a dangerous scheme that involves Professor Moriarty. This psychological mystery goes deep into Holmes’s mind, and shows his vulnerabilities and his wit, while staying true to Holmes’ classic style.

10. The One Hand/Six Fingers by Ram V & Dan Watters: This dark tale, is about a detective with only one hand and six fingers who navigates a bizarre world where dream logic and reality somehow blend together. The story is all bout self-identity and loss, but delivered through abstract storytelling and vivid artwork. The writer an artist have created an atmospheric murder mystery unlike any that you’ve ever read before.

Top 10 Murder Mystery Comics / Graphic Novels

Useful Info: According to NPD BookScan data, crime and mystery graphic novels were up 78% in 2021 – the single highest growth rate of any comics genre that year, outpacing horror (up 35%), and fantasy (up 43%). (Source: Comics Beat)

These murder mystery comics add fresh ideas and perspectives to classic crime writing. Each of them has a different setting, tone, and artistic style. These stories prove that the murder mystery genre is a wonderful and diverse canvas that be explored in so many different ways. I hope you get a chance to try any of these comics as they are all incredible from cover to cover.

For some amazing murder mystery books, check out the top 10 murder mystery novels that I recommend you read immediately. For nonfiction true crime, the top 10 true crime murder books has some incredible picks. And for the complete list of mystery types of content across different formats, see our best murder mystery entertainment guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a regular comics reader to enjoy these?

No, not at all. These are all self-contained stories that are complete from beginning to end. There’s nothing that you’ll need to read first of any outside knowledge that you need to know in order to enjoy these masterpieces.

Are these comics good for adults too?

Yes, absolutely. These are well-written books designed for an adult audience. You don’t need to be a fan of comics or an avid comic reader to enjoy the story and the artwork.

Is the From Hell film adaptation worth watching?

The 2001 film with Johnny Depp takes the broad premise of the graphic novel – the Royal Physician theory, Whitechapel, the Ripper murders – but strips away most of Moore’s depth. It’s a decent thriller but most definitely a very different story. If you’ve read the graphic novel, you’re unlikely to enjoy the film much. If you’ve seen the film and interested in reading the graphic novel, then you most definitely should.