ADVERTISEMENT

Whether we’re scared senseless or all pumped full of adrenaline, horror captures many of our imaginations and doesn’t want to let go. Taiwanese artist Ben Chen draws eerie horror comic stories with surprising humorous twists that captivate the hearts of cartoon fans and lovers of spooky things.

“Before these horror comics, my illustrations already kind of had a horror or dark style,” Ben told Bored Panda. Scroll down for the rest of our interview with the artist, upvote your fave comics illustrated by Ben, and let us know in the comments which one you loved the most and why. Also, be sure to check out Bored Panda’s other post about Ben’s clever pop-culture illustrations right here.

The artist has more than 4.3k followers on Flickr and he describes his drawing style as dark, humorous, and full of imagination. He’s a big fan of movies and illustration books, states that his brain “never stops running,” and he enjoys how his imagination lets him create something out of nothing.

More info: Flickr | Threadless

#2

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

Ben Chen Report

Add photo comments
POST
ceciliareid avatar
fro_st puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

aw that's so sweet now neither of them are alone on Christmas. thanks santa

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Illusion

Illusion

Ben Chen Report

Add photo comments
POST
ceciliareid avatar
fro_st puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i dont think this is horror i like it. it shows how we just don't notice things sometimes that are right there.

View more commentsArrow down menu

According to Ben, he decided to change the way he approached illustrating when he felt that his art was reaching a different stage. 

“My comics are the sequels to my illustrations,” Ben explained to us.

“My art was inspired by the things around me and by my own experiences. So, being aware of the little things around us is very important,” the illustrator pointed out the importance of firsthand experience when it comes to finding inspiration and for creativity.

“I love creating art! It’s so much fun! So I will keep drawing until I can't,” Ben revealed just how much he loves what he does.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whether he’s drawing a comic or working on an illustration, Ben needs some time to figure out the idea he wants to express to the world. He also does a few sketches and scribbles before he gets down to business and starts drawing for real.

Ben told Bored Panda that it usually takes him 2 to 3 days to finish an illustration and 4 to 5 days to draw a comic. That’s not including the time he spends refining the idea and working out what elements should be in the final pieces.

#8

Beauty

Beauty

Ben Chen Report

ADVERTISEMENT

The illustrator also had some advice for all illustrators out there who want to become professionals. “Try out multiple things to find what fits you and works best for you,” he said.

Ben advised illustrators to “build up the character” they’re drawing and using their own personality for inspiration. Art is also a great way to learn more about yourself. “Then keep having fun and keep passionate through your own works of art,” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Hand Shadow

Hand Shadow

Ben Chen Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would have been drastic if he would have no hands anymore in the last frame...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

When it comes to horror, whether we’re watching a scary movie, reading a frightening book, or looking at Lovecraftian illustrations, there are several reasons why it’s so alluring.

First of all, horror provides us tension in the form of shock, mystery, and terror. Secondly, it enthralls us when it’s relevant and creates personal connections to us and our fears. Finally, there’s the element of unrealism that helps separate us from the horror—this lets us enjoy the story while being completely safe and snug under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa.

#14

Inflatable Man

Inflatable Man

Ben Chen Report

Add photo comments
POST
sheilachris80 avatar
Lyop
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus!! I've always felt those things were creep af! Thank you. Thanks a lot!

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Psychologist Christopher Dwyer elaborated that watching horror movies, playing scary video games, and enjoying frights from the safety of our homes turns horror into entertainment. In his opinion, people seek controlled fear and suspense, not real fear: this lets us experience our bodies going into fight or flight mode while also knowing that we’re not at risk.

Meanwhile, media expert Dolf Zillmann and his colleagues came up with the so-called ‘Snuggle Theory.’ In short, this theory suggests that fear helps create stronger physical and emotional ties between people and brings them together.

For instance, his research showed that men enjoyed horror clips twice as much if their female companions were distressed. On the flip side, women enjoyed horror movie clips far more if their male companions were calm, cool, and collected.

#17

Blacklash

Blacklash

Ben Chen Report

Add photo comments
POST
captaindash avatar
lilskittleme avatar
Hermione Granger
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We were forced to, but if we needed, we could go outside if it smelled too bad, so I spent the whole period outside that day.

Load More Replies...
evelynshea07 avatar
I_Love_Food🍰🍨🍱🍤🐕🐈
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i am catholic, and this always reminds me of Jesus, so i refused to do it (oh, and i WENT TO A CATHOLIC SCHOOL! aren't we supposed to be against things like this?)

dysamoria-accounts avatar
Jace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was forced to do this in school too, but the animals were dead. Back then, I didn’t think enough about it. Today I would refuse to engage in it. Grade school doesn’t need this exercise. It’s a waste of life. There’s *some* argument for animal testing in medical research, but it doesn’t require overt cruelty. There’s argument for experience with actual animals in learning surgery, but we have human bodies donated after death. Etc.

maryl115 avatar
Mary Dellenbusch
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Humans need to experience the suffering animals do more often. Then maybe we may have some damn compassion in this world towards them.

dysamoria-accounts avatar
Jace
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s not the suffering. People ignore that easily on a constant basis, except for when it’s arbitrarily special animals. What really needs to be changed is not seeing animals as our fellows. We are just other, fellow animals. So long as we can judge other animals as inferior, we can also dehumanize each other. Humans have very little truly unique qualities not found in the rest of the animals. Some of our “special” features, like our enlarged frontal cortex, seems to enable us to have way more f****d up mental states than any other animal.

Load More Replies...
pebs_1 avatar
pebs
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From the film, books and so on, I know that in the USA schoolchildren are forced to do this, but for an European it is truly unthinkable.

mishte_tine avatar
Mishte Tine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Vivisection should not be a thing. Anywhere ever. Still, amazing art and storytelling.

sdmiles1986 avatar
Mommyofboth
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We did fetal pigs... one of the students named theirs Jennifer, after the teacher.

gabrielmarquez-davis avatar
Gabriel Marquez-Davis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i just feel so bad for them. all they want is a normal day then the next thing you know. a kid opens ur GUTS

gabrielmarquez-davis avatar
Gabriel Marquez-Davis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is the reason why i plan doing home school at middle school age. i love frogs so i dont wanna kill them. because imagin THIS HAPPENING

auntypaxos avatar
Fudspuckle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah I wouldn’t do this at school... meanwhile somewhere in a parallel universe...

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What nobody on here has taken human anatomy in college?

angelabapst avatar
Angela Campbell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

man I feel bad for the teacher since it just a part of there job I blame the schools for allowing it to happen.

h_selvakumar avatar
Sel Bonda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But, we don't dressup frog with undies before dissection! Hence, RESPECT!

emmterry avatar
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friend was trying to cut the stomach open with the small scissors and it squirted on her. Also some kids cut off the head and took out the eyes, claiming they were going to give them to Shrek. And then the kid who cut off a leg and "ate" it (put it in his mouth and the teacher made him spit it out) for $50. Fun times lmao

dysamoria-accounts avatar
Jace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How fun for you to enjoy the process. Have you matured any or attained any empathy yet? There’s a difference between having to do this (in a biology class) and reveling in it...

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Bedsheet Ghost 2

Bedsheet Ghost 2

Ben Chen Report

Add photo comments
POST
2024johnson-rhyann avatar
FatBaby
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those who didn't understand, I'm guessing the ghost kid was tryna go home with someone else and act like he was a "real boy" but then the mom/dad found em and took em back home disappointed?

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#23

Medicine 2

Medicine 2

Ben Chen Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this with hairdressers on lockdown. Nooooooooooooooooooo!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Slug

Slug

Ben Chen Report

Add photo comments
POST
catherinerichardson avatar
KateKat
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate when people do that. In elementary I talked a classmate to stop them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Jogging

Jogging

Report

Note: this post originally had 49 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda