Cursed goods, Cthulhu fan art, and a vendor count that didn’t match the press release. Here’s how Vancouver’s second Oddities and Curiosities Expo measured up to the hype.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo Canada Edition
Some travelling expos are worth the commute. And when they tout goods that would make Louis Vandredi from Friday the 13th: The Series salivate, the Oddities and Curiosities Expo will draw in more than just collectors seeking random old goods. Instead, this event is more like an Etsy on wheels, an arts and crafts show with a splash of Johnny J. Jones Exposition on the side. Based on what I saw of the stage show, it’s hardly a big draw.
I bought my pass a week before. When I visited, this city’s version wasn’t packed when compared to Youtube videos of other shows from other locations. Also, I was happy to notice a bit of pop-culture spillover! No Pikachu bones were found here. As for Cubone, there were none. Instead, there was artwork and some not-so-unusual variants for those who want a bit of goth in The Pokémon Company’s flagship mascot. Considering the dark critters in this franchise, I’m not surprised. Had I spotted a Gothorita figure, I most likely would’ve picked her up over anything official!
Although I didn’t expect Dungeons and Dragons, a random d20 and Beholder did catch my eye!
Cosmic horror and videogames should be natural companions, yet truly unsettling Lovecraftian experiences remain rare. From investigative dread beneath the sea to dream logic, flooded cities, and shared paranoia, these upcoming titles for 2026 show how developers are finally learning how to let the unknown breathe.
Every year, it’s safe to say that some videogame developer has an idea to extend the Lovecraftian universe to the electronic realm. A lot has changed since the release of a version of Call of Cthulhu. These days, there’s a different product worth noting, and as for whether Howard would approve of the type of cosmic horror built, he’d balk and say the Mi-go aren’t as like-minded. They’d rather interface an actual mind to technology rather than vice versa. However, for the rest of humanity, they have the pleasure to step into the shoes of imagined characters to take on these dreaded forces of cosmic horror, and with lots of luck, maybe survive! This list chooses to lean on the side of
Although there has not been many virtual reality games made to summon dread, you’d think there’d be more products. Part of the problem is with the nature of each tale, it’s more about existentialism rather than surviving the night. Although Dagon: by H.P. Lovecraft by Bit Golem included a VR mode that let you stand inside the narration of the short story, the player’s role is more like bearing witness to than being part of a game. It nailed atmosphere and scale, but stopped short of interactivity, which kept it firmly in “experience” territory.
But until more products are firmly imagined, players can investigate these upcoming releases:
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss
(April 16, 2026)
This first-person game developed by Big Bad Wolf Studio looks designed for today’s generation of consoles. It’s the most ambitious to date because here, players assume the role of a special agent sent to investigate the many deaths occurring at sea. The reason for the extra computer power is the use of AI in this engine. Here, you’ll explore the sunken city of R’lyeh with the help of machine learning to make sense of it all.
As for whether reality will cause this agent to go mad as well, that’s tough to say. In what makes this one stand out is its fastidious worldbuilding and emotional stakes — it doesn’t just show you monsters, it shows you how much your own choices can twist you. Watchlists are already active on storefronts like Steam and PlayStation, so you can track updates and demos ahead of launch.
Track this game — follow the project’s updates on its Kickstarter or social feeds.
Along with what “Dreams” are made of, we look at what works of Gou Tanabe are currently out there that are graphic novel adaptations of the Cthulhu mythos. Our focus is on his untranslated Lovecraft manga.
While organizing my collection of untranslated Lovecraft manga and graphic adaptations, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something essential was missing. There’s a handful of Gou Tanabe’s works that exist in French or Italian editions, yet still haven’t seen print in North America. When Zack Davisson mentioned they’ve remained untouched, it felt less like an if and more like a slow, deliberate waiting game. He translated the recent releases and is clearly eager to tackle what’s missing. That comment dates back over a year to Emerald City Comic Con, and as fans of this series, all we can do is wait, and hope it doesn’t drive us mad.
In the world of sequential art, Cosmic Horror in 2026 neverf goes out of style. Presented here is a preview of what’s currently on shelves and coming soon! Plus a handy checklist for your pull list.
There’s further Cosmic horror in 2026 that is sure to destroy! And as this genre never really goes out of style, just what one can find in the sequential arts make up part one of a three part series, where I dive deep into nearly everything that’s coming out!
I will begin with visual interpretations of the classics. Cinematically, they can be summed up with two releases–Iron Lung (limited theatre run beginning Jan 30) and Dreamlands. The former is about surviving the deep oceans and the other, well, the title speaks for itself. While the latter is a crowdfunded release and passion product, it’s tough to say if this work be ready for this year’s H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival.
In part two will be a look at Gou Tanabe’s slate of works and offer a checklist. Last will be the videogames to put fans of H.P. Lovecrafts works straight into the forefreont. After RailGods of Hysterra (review link) stalled due to some design issues, I’m still curious what other titles might pick up the pace.
In this preview, here’s what’s expected to roll out in 2026.
The Manga Master Returns:
Gou Tanabe’s The Dunwich Horror
The Dunwich Horror Japanese Edition
For many of us, the gold standard for Lovecraftian art is Gou Tanabe. After his Eisner-nominated runs on At the Mountains of Madness and The Shadow Out of Time, Dark Horse Manga is expected to bring the English translation of “The Dunwich Horror” to North American fans in 2026. The news is not official, but that is what industry insiders are saying. Without this, Necronomicon cannot make its proper debut in Tanabe’s world of horror.
His ability to draw the “indescribable” is unmatched in the manga world. Nearly everyyone is excited to see how the Whateley family will spring to life, and also depict what Wilbur will transform to. And along with the invisible terror of Sentinel Hill stalking the land, there’s plenty of expectations to craft in the minds of every reader.
A Dreamlike Departure: The Last Day of H.P. Lovecraft
Coming early this year from BOOM! Studios, we have the conclusion of the English adaptation of The Last Day of H.P. Lovecraft. With this tale near compledtion (the last issue slated for Feb release), this isn’t a straight adaptation of a story, but a surreal, semi-biographical fever dream. Written by Romuald Giulivo with haunting art by Jakub Rebelka, the story follows a dying Lovecraft as he wanders through a visionary version of Providence, confronting his own creations. It is high-art horror at its finest.
IDW & Top Cow: The Thing on the Doorstep
Image Comics and Top Cow are diving into the Cthulhu Mythos with a five-issue miniseries of “The Thing on the Doorstep,” starting February 11, 2026. Written by Simon Birks and illustrated by Willi Roberts, this adaptation promises to lean into the psychological body-horror of the original text. It’s a great entry point for those who want a more traditional “floppy” comic experience rather than a thick graphic novel.
The Masters of the Macabre
Bernie Wrightson & François Baranger
For those who prefer their horror with a “classical” dark aesthetic, 2026 offers two heavy hitters:
Creepy Presents: Bernie Wrightson (Dark Horse Comics): Releasing February 3, 2026, this collection is a must-have. While it spans several horror tales, it features Wrightson’s legendary adaptation of “Cool Air.” Seeing Wrightson’s meticulous ink work on high-quality modern paper is the closest thing to a religious experience a horror fan can have.
The Shadow Over Innsmouth (François Baranger): Following the massive success of his illustrated The Call of Cthulhu, French artist François Baranger is finishing his cinematic take on the fish-folk of Innsmouth. The English edition via Design Studio Press is expected in mid-to-late 2026. These are oversized volumes that feel more like “concept art for a movie that doesn’t exist” than a traditional comic.
Cosmic Horror in 2026 Checklist
January 14:The Last Day of H.P. Lovecraft #3 (BOOM! Studios)
February 3:Creepy Presents: Bernie Wrightson (Dark Horse)
February 11:The Thing on the Doorstep #1 (Image/Top Cow)
February 11:The Last Day of H.P. Lovecraft #4 (BOOM! Studios)
Late 2026:The Dunwich Horror (Dark Horse Manga)
Late 2026:The Shadow Over Innsmouth (Design Studio Press)
Which of these are you adding to your pull list? Let us know in the comments if you’re team Tanabe or team Wrightson!
Although not every issue in Railgods of Hysterra has been fixed, whether or not it’s playable depends on whether enthusiasts have having a 75″ sized screen or bigger.
Because RailGods of Hysterra is missing one major fix, I haven’t enjoyed this cooperative survival game. That’s mostly because of the tiny text used throughout the game to identify objects, tell gamers what’s happening, etc. While I appreciate all the world-building that exists, not even after more than a month’s worth of casual play got me far. My original review can be read here. When this game is about making sure you catch the Katy, er, that sentient train and leave a mule to ride.
The latest updates (as of May 18, 2025, which appears to be the most recent significant patch noted):
Are you daring enough to wait in order to explore and do battle with the Great Old Ones in Railgods of Hysterra?
No date has been set for RailGods of Hysterra, a cooperative base-building survival action videogame, but it’s safe to say it won’t be like Horror on the Orient Express! This role playing game published by Chaosium Inc., takes months to get through, but for the electronic version from Troglobytes Games, maybe the adventure can be finished over a weekend. And best of all, not all of the action will take place on board a train! Players will have to take to the streets to investigate the strange goings on.
Enter a ruined world of ghoulish horrors wrought by the Great Old Ones: ancient cosmic beings beyond human comprehension that took over the world. Survive procedurally generated nightmarish environments, face the wrath of eldritch abominations, and forge a bond with the RailGod – a roaming fortress composed of steel and flesh forged through arcane and obscure rituals.
Every year, it’s safe to say that some videogame developer has an idea to extend the Lovecraftian universe to the electronic realm. A lot has changed since the release of a version of 
While organizing my collection of untranslated 
There’s further Cosmic horror in 2026 that is sure to destroy! And as this genre never really goes out of style, just what one can find in the sequential arts make up part one of a three part series, where I dive deep into nearly everything that’s coming out!
Coming early this year from BOOM! Studios, we have the conclusion of the English adaptation of The Last Day of H.P. Lovecraft. With this tale near compledtion (the last issue slated for Feb release), this isn’t a straight adaptation of a story, but a surreal, semi-biographical fever dream. Written by 
Image Comics and Top Cow are diving into the Cthulhu Mythos with a five-issue miniseries of “The Thing on the Doorstep,” starting February 11, 2026. Written by 
Because 
No date has been set for