Stranger Things captured global attention in 2016. Since then, fans have grown accustomed to long waits between seasons. For instance, we’ve been waiting on Season 5 updates since 2022, hoping it launches in 2025. The anticipation is painful, and we understand that. On the brighter side, the Stranger Things universe offers a plethora of comics (and books) to enjoy. It’s not quite the same but can make the wait less daunting. Notably, these comics explore various adventures, characters, and narratives.
This captivating Netflix show, Stranger Things, unfolds in a small 1980s Indiana town. Its narrative hooked us with hints of a dark alternative realm named the Upside Down. Talented actors bring this story to life, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, and Gaten Matarazzo. Audiences have also enjoyed performances from David Harbour, Winona Ryder, and Sean Astin, among others.
Currently, around eight series associated with the Stranger Things world exist, alongside one crossover comic and five standalone graphic novels. A lot of material to dive into! Generally, Stranger Things comics fall into three major categories: adventures involving major characters, delving into Hawkins’ history, and miscellaneous stories—all offering great reads as we await Netflix’s final season.
Adventures Involving the Main Cast
The debut Stranger Things comic, The Other Side, was published in 2019, three years after the series premiere. It presented a brief narrative about Will Byers’ survival struggles in the Upside Down—a visually impressive comic, although not groundbreaking, as most fans could predict its events. Dustin featured in his solo series, Science Camp, detailing his science camp adventures between seasons two and three.
Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons encompasses more of the cast, capturing the boys’ discovery of the famed game. It delivers a brief endearing tale. While it also doesn’t introduce anything new, some fans enjoy seeing how their adventures started. Lastly, Stranger Things x Dungeon & Dragons: The Rise of Hellfire serves as a bittersweet story, focusing on Eddie Munson and the origins of the Hellfire Club. Fans felt Eddie deserved more than just a comic series.
Most standalone graphic novels also fit this category. Titles such as Zombie Boys, The Bully, Erica the Great, Afterschool Adventures Omnibus, and Holiday Specials are contemporary (within the series) and serve as enjoyable, brief revisits to the beloved series.
Hawkins History & Beyond
Here, the comics venture into unseen realms. Fans eager to explore the history of previous test subjects should note SIX and Into the Fire, which narrate divergent sides of shared stories, revealing more about characters before El. SIX delves into a familiar character’s past, whereas Into the Fire introduces Francine, Ricky, and Marcy.
The Tomb of Ybwen, which might seem unexpected, focuses on Bob Newby. It takes a past setting and allows Bob to investigate a minor mystery in Hawkins. Further series explore other dimensions of the Stranger Things setting, like Kamchatka, which delves into a Russian scientist’s encounter with a Demogorgon, leading to The Voyage series.
Finally, a few distinctive titles deserve mention. Tales from Hawkins is an anthology comic examining various perspectives. Meanwhile, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Stranger Things is straightforwardly non-canon and purely for entertainment. It’s up to the reader to decide its worth.
To Read or Not to Read
There’s no obligation for ardent fans of the Netflix series to read any Stranger Things comics. However, their existence is appreciated. While not a substitute for the original series, these comics help manage the prolonged waits between seasons.
The notable aspect of the Stranger Things comics is their varied focal points. This allows readers to select series based on their interests. Fans attached to the main cast can follow a specific reading line, while those fascinated by Hawkins’ backstory have alternative paths to consider. The decision lies with the reader.
The first four seasons of Stranger Things are currently available for streaming on Netflix.
