Emily Carroll

Chilling graphic narratives and eerie visual storytelling mark the realm of short-form horror comics, with the graphic collection Through the Woods serving as a prime showcase for readers seeking dark fairy tales. Emily Carroll emerged as a prominent voice in digital and print horror comics after her short webcomic His Face All Red went viral around Halloween in 2010. Her work combines haunting illustration with atmospheric pacing, bringing folk horror traditions into contemporary graphic literature.

Career & Background

Born in London, Ontario, in June 1983, Carroll studied animation at Sheridan College, graduating in 2005. Before focusing primarily on comic creation, Carroll worked as an animator for children's television while drawing short online comics in spare time. Following the viral response to His Face All Red in late 2010, Carroll expanded into major print anthologies and standalone books.

Carroll's publications include short story collections, contributions to anthologies such as Explorer in 2012, and full-length graphic novels. Over the course of this career, Carroll has earned significant industry accolades, including an Ignatz Award and two Eisner Awards. Carroll currently resides in Ontario with spouse Kate Craig.

Writing Style & Themes

Carroll's comics draw heavily from fairy-tale tropes, psychological horror, and feelings of deep isolation. By combining stark visual layouts, carefully selected color palettes, and suspenseful formatting designed to control the pace of digital scrolling or page turns, Carroll creates lingering tension. Recurring motifs across Carroll's body of work include dense woods, sinister domestic settings, and unseen monsters that remain unexplainable.

Major Works

• Through the Woods — Published in 2014, this horror graphic anthology collects five unsettling short stories—including adaptations of Carroll's web comics—that detail terrifying encounters in deep forests and shadowy homes.
• His Face All Red — Released online in 2010, this viral horror webcomic brought Carroll widespread acclaim for its eerie story of a man who suspects the beast that killed his brother has taken his brother's place.
• A Guest in the House — Published in 2023, this adult graphic novel explores psychological horror through the story of a young woman who marries a quiet dentist and discovers unsettling mysteries surrounding his late wife.