When Dark Horse Comics first entered the Stranger Things universe, it was clear they weren’t playing it safe. On September 26, 2018, they launched a four-issue miniseries written by Jody Houser with art by Stefano Martino, giving readers a fresh perspective on the series’ first season. The story centres on Will Byers and his harrowing captivity in the Upside Down, offering an intimate look at the terror he endured while expanding on elements only hinted at in the show.
This approach was both nostalgic and innovative. Fans got to relive the 1980s nostalgia of Hawkins while immersing themselves in the horror and suspense of the Upside Down from a closer, more personal viewpoint. It allowed the comic medium to explore facets of the story that television simply couldn’t accommodate, including Will’s psychological state and the creeping sense of dread lurking behind each shadowed corner.
Building on this momentum, Dark Horse released The Game Master for Free Comic Book Day on May 4, 2019. Written again by Houser and illustrated by Ibrahim Moustafa, it revisited Hawkins immediately after Season One’s conclusion. Here, the familiar town becomes a playground for suspense, as readers witness ordinary locations transformed into sites of creeping terror, reflecting the show’s trademark blend of adventure and supernatural danger. The interplay of horror, friendship, and nostalgia in these early comics established the tone for future expansions of the Stranger Things universe.
Dark Horse didn’t stop at retelling familiar stories. The publisher continued to explore new corners of Hawkins through miniseries and graphic novels that delved deeper into the mythology of the show. A standout is Stranger Things: Six, released on May 29, 2019, which focuses on Francine, a mysterious girl who predates Eleven and possesses precognitive powers. This four-part series introduced readers to the world before the Hawkins lab experiments, expanding the narrative in a way that television might struggle to capture, revealing origins that are simultaneously thrilling and tragic.
Then there’s Stranger Things: Zombie Boys, a 72-page original graphic novel penned by Greg Pak with illustrations by Valeria Favoccia, released on February 19, 2020. Positioned after Season One, it adds depth to Hawkins’ teen characters while layering in original horror and suspense. The series continued with titles like Stranger Things: Into the Fire, which bridges gaps in the storyline leading up to Season Three, and other graphic novels that explore characters’ psychological struggles in a world teetering between normal life and the Upside Down’s malevolent chaos.
These comics serve a dual purpose: they enrich the television narrative for existing fans while providing a compelling entry point for newcomers. Each storyline respects the continuity of the show while granting writers and artists the freedom to explore themes that the small screen might shy away from.
The most exciting announcement came with Dark Horse’s multi-year publishing line in collaboration with Netflix. Fans now have a reason to anticipate not just isolated stories but an ongoing expansion of the Stranger Things universe across comics, graphic novels, and crossover events. One particularly thrilling prospect is a miniseries crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, promising unique encounters between Hawkins’ kids and one of pop culture’s most enduring teams of heroes. Thematically, the crossover makes perfect sense: camaraderie, suspense, and adventure have always been central to Stranger Things, and merging these elements with TMNT’s fast-paced action opens up new possibilities for storytelling.
As the show prepares for its fifth season, expected to launch in November 2025, this partnership illustrates how transmedia storytelling can deepen fan engagement. By exploring characters’ backstories, untold adventures, and alternative narratives, the comics allow audiences to experience Hawkins in a way that’s more immersive than television alone. Whether it’s confronting the Upside Down, following Francine’s psychic journey, or seeing the beloved Hawkins kids team up with mutant turtles, Dark Horse is proving that the world of Stranger Things thrives beyond Netflix screens.
This multi-year venture also reflects broader trends in entertainment: beloved franchises are increasingly using multiple platforms to sustain narrative momentum and fan enthusiasm. For Stranger Things, it means stories are no longer confined to episodic releases; the mythology becomes a living, breathing entity across media, giving fans more ways to engage with the narrative, explore character depth, and enjoy the 1980s nostalgia that underpins the series.
The potential is enormous. Imagine story arcs that intersect with the television series, providing context to Season Five events or offering side adventures that illuminate character motivations. The expanded universe can also attract comic readers who might not be regular Netflix viewers, while offering binge-watchers a richer understanding of Hawkins’ mysteries.
In essence, the Dark Horse Comics partnership with Netflix and Stranger Things represents a bold, exciting chapter for the franchise. It combines the spine-tingling suspense, nostalgic charm, and character-driven storytelling fans adore with the limitless creativity that comics allow. From Will’s harrowing experiences in the Upside Down to prequels like Six and original adventures like Zombie Boys, the narrative possibilities are virtually endless. And with the announcement of crossovers like TMNT, the universe of Stranger Things continues to prove it can evolve, surprise, and captivate audiences in new and thrilling ways.
For fans, this multi-year collaboration promises more than just additional content—it offers a deeper connection to the characters, the world, and the enduring thrill of Hawkins’ darkest secrets. As November 2025 draws nearer, comic collectors and series devotees alike can prepare to journey back into the Upside Down, exploring untold stories, uncovering hidden threats, and delighting in the nostalgia that makes Stranger Things a cultural phenomenon that continues to resonate across generations.
