Marvel Comics‘ Crypt of Shadows is returning, and a returning Marvel Cinematic Universe icon is officially taking over as the host of horrors.

Per Marvel Comics, the fan-favorite horror anthology, Crypt of Shadows #1, returns in 2024, with brand-new stories for Halloween. This year, Agatha Harkness is leading the festivities as she guides readers through a myriad of landscapes, each of which has a haunting tale to offer. For readers who are interested in what Agatha might be up to ahead of Crypt of Shadows‘ upcoming release, Marvel promises that all will be explained in the title’s wraparound story from the creative team of the currently ongoing Scarlet Witch series – writer Steve Orlando and artist Claire Roe.

Written by STEVE ORLANDO, BENJAMIN PERCY, JASON LOO, and CHRIS CONDON Art by CLAIRE ROE, RAFFAELE IENCO, CARLOS MAGNO, and DJIBRIL MORISSETTE Main cover art by LEINIL FRANCIS YU Variant covers by JUAN FERREYRA and MARTIN SIMMONDS As All Hallows’ Eve approaches, the heroes of the Marvel Universe find themselves once again facing the terrors that lie in the dark! From creatures that lurk in the deep to sinister sorcery, don’t miss out as your favorite heroes get put through the wringer and are forced to face down the malevolent forces of the Marvel Universe! Pick up this terrifying tome at your own peril, True Believers!

Along with Crypt of Shadows, a story by writer Benjamin Percy and artist Raffaele Ienco that is set to take Man-Thing far from his native swamp and out onto the high seas alongside none other than the (former) King of Atlantis himself – Namor. Writer Jason Loo and artist Carlos Magno have crafted a story pitting longtime Spider-Man foe Kraven the Hunter against Marvel’s original Werewolf by Night, Jack Russell. Finally, writer Chris Condon and artist Djibril Morissette will be introducing the MCU monster hunter Joshua Jovan, who was introduced in Marvel Studios’ Werewolf by Night, to the world of Marvel Comics for the very first time as he steps through the Last Door and straight into the clutches of the Scarlet Witch.

The origin of Marvel Comics’ Crypt of Shadows stretch back to 1972 when the first issue of the horror anthology was published just weeks ahead of Halloween. Featuring stories from acclaimed creators such as Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Don Heck, Crypt of Shadows contained some of the best horror stories that comic book fans of the era could find. Although the vast majority of these stories were reprinted from other earlier titles such as Adventures into Terror and Journey Into Mystery, they were still a major part of the horror revival of the ’70s. The original series ended with its twenty-first issue published in 1975.

Crypt of Shadows returned more than four decades later with the release of Crypt of Shadows #1 in January 2019. Despite not being released near Halloween, this new Crypt of Shadows maintained the anthology series stylings of the original with three brand-new stories from writer Al Ewing and numerous acclaimed artists. Since then, two Crypt of Shadows one-shot anthologies have been printed in 2022 and 2023, respectively. For the past two years, Crypt of Shadows has been hosted by Victor Strange, the undead brother of Marvel Comics’ Sorcerer Supreme.

Crypt of Shadows #1 goes on sale on October 16.

Source: Marvel Comics