Dark Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Horror Recommendations You Might Have Missed (or just slept on)

“Dark” is an inherently relative term in the world of fiction. What’s dark to one person might be bubblegum to someone else. Some get queasy at the sight of blood, others giggle at human skulls exploding like melons. (You know who you are, you sick fucks.)

     Given that, it’s impossible to tell you exactly where to start, because I don’t know which camp you fall into, so I’ll use the generally accepted definition of “dark” fiction to include anything with a foreboding atmosphere, a gritty, realistic tone (if not in plot then at least in the human element involved in the decisions of the characters), an overarching theme of existential dread, and the ever-present potential for violent solutions to the world’s many problems.

     If you’re here, reading the ramblings of this independent author in this out-of-the-way corner of the internet, you’re probably no stranger to the dark side of fiction, so I won’t recommend anything you can find on every airport and drug store spinner rack. Without further ado, here are three dark sci-fi, fantasy, and horror recommendations for books, comics, and movies you might have missed and should definitely give a try.

BERSERK (1989)

1.     BERSERK by Kentaro Miura (1989 Manga): This is about as dark as it gets for something with as large a cult following as has formed behind the series. As a book-first kind of guy, I’m going to recommend the manga over the anime, or at least to read through the first few arcs of the manga before trying any iteration of the anime. If you’ve never read manga (as I hadn’t before trying Berserk) there might be a short adjustment period while getting used to reading backwards. Yes, most manga is read right-to-left, but it would surprise you how fast an adjustment you can make even if you’re an old dog and this is a new trick.

     Now, if you’re someone who's never dived into eastern fiction and are hesitant to try it, this is a perfect bridge into that realm. Kentaro Miura grew up a rabid fan of western fantasy and medieval history, and the cultural and historical crossover between his upbringing and his personal interests create a unique flavor in his storytelling I haven’t seen exactly matched anywhere else.

     If you’re familiar with the Dark Souls video game franchise or any of its related titles, like Bloodborne or Elden Ring, you’ll find that those games borrow VERY liberally from Berserk (deliberately and in good taste, I might add). Come to think of it, as an action-RPG gamer myself, I can’t think of a fictional world that's referenced more often in dark fantasy gaming than that of Berserk.

     Think Conan the Barbarian and Heavy Metal meets Lovecraftian cosmic horror, all presented in Miura’s distinctive, captivating Japanese style of artwork and storytelling.

EVENT HORIZON (1997)

2.     EVENT HORIZON (1997 Film): I know you’ve probably seen it. I know it gets a little wonky toward the end. I know your significant other probably has no interest in it. But just… Just watch it. This movie created one of the most tense and memorable atmospheres I’ve ever experienced while watching sci-fi. The blend of futuristic cosmic curiosity with the tension and foreboding of a take-no-prisoners “haunted house” story hits a balance that’s almost perfect, and one that I’ve yet to see rivaled. Even years later, that unfortunate derelict ship, ravaged and stranded in a decaying orbit around Neptune, still triggers in me an urge to write and explore the literal and figurative darkness of the cosmos. (If you've read my Civic Fleet books, you'll notice a very obvious nod to this cult classic.)

NECROSCOPE (1986)

3.     NECROSCOPE by Brian Lumley (1986 Novel): Somewhere between cosmic horror, sci-fi body horror mixed with paranormal thriller, and classic vampire tale is where you’ll find this, one of my favorite book series of all time. I’m sure I’ll gush about this series in its own blog post one day, as its tendency for genre bending makes it hard to summarize in just a few words. Therefor I won’t give you a deep-dive reason for checking it out. I’ll say this: Read the back cover, then keep in mind that what you just read in no way even begins to cover the world you’re about to enter. Go in with an open mind, and let the wild ride sweep you up. (Bonus: As of this writing, it’s on Kindle Unlimited, so you can read it free if you’re subscribed. No, I don’t know Mr. Lumley and am not a shill for Amazon, I just thought that tidbit might be worth mentioning.)

Okay, that’s it for today. Gotta get to writing some actual books now. Thanks for stopping by! See you soon.

-       Dorian