Haunt

Haunt is one of Image Comics' most visually striking and conceptually daring characters, born from a unique creative collaboration between industry legends Robert Kirkman and Todd McFarlane, with art by Greg Capullo and Ryan Ottley. The character debuted in Haunt #1 in October 2009, making that issue an essential pickup for any serious Image Comics collector. The premise is as compelling as it is strange: Daniel Kilgore, a conflicted Catholic priest, finds himself bonded with the ghost of his deceased brother Kurt, a black-ops government assassin. When the two merge, they form a powerful symbiotic entity draped in a white, viscous suit reminiscent of classic horror imagery. That debut issue carries real weight for collectors — it marks the launch of a fan-favorite series and showcases a powerhouse creative team rarely assembled under one cover.

The Haunt character is a powerhouse in every sense. When Daniel and Kurt combine, the resulting entity possesses an almost absurd range of abilities: superhuman strength, elasticity, adaptive powers, razor-sharp claws, wall-clinging, flight, and a remarkable healing factor. The suit itself acts almost like a living extension of their merged will, shifting and morphing to meet any threat. This blend of supernatural horror and superhero action gave the series a distinctive flavor that set it apart during a competitive era for creator-owned comics. Story arcs in the early run explored the fractured brotherhood between Daniel and Kurt, the shadow world of government black ops, and the demonic forces hunting both men — giving collectors a layered mythology to dig into.

Haunt later became associated with the broader Image universe through ties to teams like The Agency and the Scorched, deepening connections to characters like Spawn. Creative team changes brought fresh energy to the book at different points, including a notable run that handed the reins to Joe Casey and Nathan Fox, which introduced a grittier, more experimental tone. These creative transitions make different runs of the series genuinely distinct reading experiences, giving collectors multiple entry points and eras to pursue.

For collectors, Haunt represents everything exciting about the creator-owned boom at Image — bold concepts, superstar talent, and a character with real room to grow. The first issue is the cornerstone of any Image Comics collection from the late 2000s, and low-print later issues and variant covers offer real hunting opportunities. Whether you're chasing high grades of the debut, tracking down McFarlane sketch variants, or completing a full run, Haunt's back catalogue rewards the dedicated collector with both visual spectacle and genuine storytelling ambition.