What is Analog Horror?

The term was first coined by Kris Straub in his series "Local58" (its trailer to be exact). It usually describes shortform horror content that utilizes anything analog in nature, such as VHS, old CRTVs, old video game consoles, etc. to tell their stories. The content doesn't have to be shortform, though, as shown by movies like "Skinamarink", a movie that uses old cartoons on a flashing TV to elevate its horror and communicate its monster's intentions. I will get into some examples below of my favorite pieces of analog horror, and I do hope you check them out and support the creators by watching!!

My Favorite Analog Horrors

The Mandela Catalogue

Created by: Alex Kister

This series follows a group of counties, mainly the titular Mandela County, that are affected by attacks from creatures called Alternates. These creatures, Biblical in nature, wish to take over religion, and eventually all of humanity, by replacing us one by one. They can form into an exact replica of a person, and their main goal is to psychologically torture their victim until they, well, kill themselves. Our main character is a cop named Thatcher Davis, and this man has been THROUGH IT. He lost his parnter, fellow cop Ruth Weaver, to an alternate attack, he failed to save the lives of many, including a 17 year boy named Mark Heathcliff, or another young man named Adam, and now he is being stalked and taunted by the alternates. However, this man is determined and refuses to die, no matter how much he kinda wants to. The series is still in the works, but I think we are gearing up to see a big fight between Thatcher and his tormenters. Will he survive? Probably not:)

Vita Carnis

Created by: Darian Quilloy

This wonderful cosmic body horror monster extravaganza follows the entire world, as it deals with the introduction of a new species into the environment. This species, the Vita Carnis of course, is a sort of living meat creature that comes in several different stages. From the harmless crawl that people chop up and eat, to the trimmings people have as pets, to the mimic that invades homes and devours people, to the mysterious singularity, each type of Vita Carnis is truly fascinating to behold. The series is still ongoing, so we shall soon know more about this secret cult that worship this meat demon and why it's even here in the first place (which is somewhat obvious when you read the storybook pages hidden throughout the series).

The Walten Files

Created by: Martin Walls

I call this one "FNAF but good." But all hating aside, this animatronic horror series falls into the category of analog horror to ME. It does have VHS footage, old timey arcade games, and company training tapes. so it fits the bill, even thought most of it is animated and drawn. The art in this series is some of the best analog horror has to offer, in my opinion. The way the machine amimals move, the portrayal of greif and anger and horror in humans, and video game segments are wonderfully animated. This story follows the dissapearance of one Jack Walten, and many people involved with him. Jack had opened up a Chuck E Cheese type burger joint for families and kids of all ages with his old buddy, Felix Kranken. One night, Jack asked Felix to pick up his kids from a school event, and tradgedy struck, leaving families and friendships torn and many, MANY people vanishing. Oh yeah, and a lot of them are also getting stuffed into animatronics by a big blue bunny who no one knows the identity of. The series is ongoing, so the mystery is still yet to be solved.

The Monument Mythos

Created by: Alex Casanas

This one. What can I even begin to say about this one. This is THE analog horror for me, my #1 absolute favorite hands down. This alternate history and alternate universe batshit bonkers series follows America, the mysterious monuments that dot the surface, and the monsters that lurk beneath it. This series has everything: special trees that cant be cut down (unless massive force is used) that bend and make weird blue lighting and transport you to another place, President James Dean, the Suez Canal boat getting up and walking away, Superman being brainwashed into becoming Jesus and destroying Vietnam, a statue made of so many people, Long George Washington, glass that cuts your head off and makes it a big floating blimp, etc etc etc. I could go on for hours about how crazy this shit is but I swear, it is amazing and it does all connect together in the end, I promise. Alex, you have made some true art here, and I am forever obsessed with it. Thank you so much for this.