Cyberpunk 2077 launches first-ever slasher horror comic this week, and the premise is absolutely twisted

Cyberpunk 2077 horror fans are in for a twisted treat this week. Dark Horse Comics and CD Projekt Red are launching Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome, the first slasher series set in Night City. Issue #1 drops January 14, 2026, bringing dark comedy horror to the video game universe.

Night City Gets Its First Slasher Nightmare

The Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome series represents a bold new direction for the franchise’s comic adaptations. Dark Horse has published multiple Cyberpunk 2077 titles since 2020, including Trauma Team, Psycho Squad, and XOXO. But this is the studio’s first true slasher horror story set in the dystopian metropolis.

Writer Doug Wagner brings his twisted sensibilities to the project. Wagner previously worked on acclaimed series like Plastic and Plush, known for dark, edgy storytelling. Artist Tommaso Bennato joins him with experience on The Witcher comics, bringing cinematic visuals to Night City’s grimy streets.

The Landfill Photoshoot Goes Terrifyingly Wrong

The plot centers on four cyberpunk archetypes: a netrunner, a fire graffiti artist, an aspiring rockerboy, and an autotechie. These friends decide to document themselves at a dangerous landfill location filled with rubbish, scrap metal, and urban decay. What should be a fun photoshoot turns into something far more sinister.

Comic Details	Information
Writer	Doug Wagner
Artist	Tommaso Bennato
Colorist	Rico Renzi
Issue Count	4 issues total

The rumors about the landfill being haunted prove disturbingly accurate. In Cyberpunk’s dark future, the horrors lurking in Night City go far beyond ghosts and urban legends. The creative team promises genuinely frightening moments mixed with dark comedy throughout the series.

A New Kind of Cyberpunk Story

Horror hasn’t been a major focus in most Cyberpunk comics before. The franchise’s other Dark Horse series explored action, crime drama, and cyberpunk storytelling. But Chrome dives headfirst into slasher territory while maintaining the universe’s sci-fi edge.

“Cyberpunk 2077 is many things, but it wouldn’t be the same if not for the horror element. Inviting Doug Wagner for the very first slasher story told in Night City is an ideal collaboration.”

— Milena Zajac, Editor/Writer, Franchise Creative at CD PROJEKT RED

Wagner’s Horror Vision Meets Cyberpunk’s Dark Foundation

Doug Wagner expressed his enthusiasm for the project in Dark Horse’s official announcement. The writer called diving into Cyberpunk 2077 a dream come true. His reputation for twisted, quirky horror makes him an ideal fit for bringing slasher elements to Night City’s already dark atmosphere.

The creative team reunites Rico Renzi as colorist, who previously collaborated with Wagner on Plush. Long-time Cyberpunk 2077 letterer Frank Cvetkovic returns to provide consistent visual continuity with previous game-based comics. This cohesive team ensures Chrome feels both fresh and true to the franchise’s established comic aesthetic.

Tommaso Bennato‘s artwork promises to deliver gore and chrome in equal measure. The artist’s work on The Witcher: The Edge of the World proved his ability to bring dark, atmospheric storytelling to life visually. His detailed pen work suits Night City’s cybernetic enhancements and urban grittiness perfectly.

What Makes This Slasher Different From Other Horror Comics?

Dark Horse emphasized the “gloriously twisted” nature of this cyberpunk slasher. Unlike traditional horror comics, Chrome blends dark humor with the franchise’s signature sci-fi violence. The landfill setting provides an unpredictable, claustrophobic environment where technology and nature collide in disturbing ways.

The four main characters represent classic cyberpunk archetypes. A netrunner brings hacking expertise, a rockerboy offers street culture perspective, a graffiti artist provides rebellious energy, and an autotechie handles mechanical skills. Their diverse skill sets could become either assets or liabilities when facing whatever hunts them in the ruins.

Pre-orders for Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome #1 launched immediately after the announcement. Comic shop locator services show high demand for this series. Variant covers from artists Francesco Francavilla, Mark Laszlo, and Arief Rachmad provide collector options, with prices at $4.99 for the standard edition.

Can This Horror Series Capture What Makes Cyberpunk Legendary?

The success of Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome depends on balancing horror thrills with cyberpunk storytelling. The game itself features violent moments, moral ambiguity, and dark themes. Wagner’s slasher approach could push those elements even further.

Fans of the Cyberpunk franchise have responded positively to the announcement. The first-slasher promise generates excitement across social media and comic communities. Many readers anticipate seeing how urban legends and corporate corruption manifest as actual threats in Wagner’s narrative.

Dark Horse’s track record with CD Projekt Red gives confidence the project will succeed. Previous Cyberpunk comics demonstrated the publisher’s respect for source material while exploring new angles. Chrome continues this tradition by reimagining Night City through a horror lens.