Dead by Daylight Returns with a 4-Part Spinoff 10 Years Later

Dead by Daylight is one of the most successful live-service horror games ever made, having pioneered mainstream asymmetrical multiplayer horror. Despite being nearly a decade old, it remains a fan favorite to this day. Now, the iconic horror franchise is bringing the game’s signature terror to fans in a new 4-part spinoff.

Whether you’re a gamer, reader, or both, you won’t want to miss Derek Fridolfs (Batman: Arkham City), Dean Kotz (Black Hammer, The Savage Sword of Conan), and Alison Hu’s (Corvus) upcoming April 8, 2026, release of Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #1.

Not only is the series set to reveal the origins of the original Dead by Daylight killer, The Hillbilly, but the issue will also offer an exclusive game code, making this comic a must-have even if you are exclusively a Dead by Daylight gamer.

However, if the draw of the Hillbilly’s origin and the exclusive game code aren’t enough to convince you, you can check out a five-page preview for the debut issue below. The retro art alone will convince you that this series is a must-read.

What Is Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly About? (See Preview!)

Comic Pages Come from Derek Fridolfs’ Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #1 (2026) – Art by Dean Kotz & Alison Hu’s

The preview introduces us to Officer Darnell Hollis, and while it doesn’t give much away in terms of plot, the official synopsis gives readers a better idea of what’s in store:

“A rookie cop uncovers the face of pure evil. When Officer Darnell Hollis makes the largest drugs bust in his small town’s history, the success draws the attention of City Hall. On the fast track to success, this could be life-changing for Hollis and his young family.

But the Rookie is haunted by horrific visions of violence and viscera in waking nightmares. And on Coldwind Farm, Hollis is confronted by a monster who is kept in a dark basement and lives for the slaughter. In the dense fog, a man called Boy tests the strengths of his chains, waiting for the day he’ll break free…”

As of now, it seems the comic series will focus on a single protagonist, which, as fans of the game know, is a change of pace, given that the gameplay typically pits one Killer against four Survivors in a multiplayer match. This shift in the status quo will undoubtedly keep readers on their toes while also adding something that feels fresh and different to the Dead by Daylight franchise.

The 32-page Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #1 will be available for $4.99 wherever comics are sold. This debut issue features a main cover by Alex Horley, as well as incentivizing variant covers by Niclas Mortensen, Francesca Ciregia, and Dean Kotz. As of now, issue #2 of the series is slated for a release date of May 13, 2026, while Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #3 and Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #4 will likely follow in June and July, respectively.

While You Wait for Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly, Check Out Dead by Daylight Volume 1: The Legion

Cover D Niclas Mortensen Variant for Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #1 (2026)

Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #1 comes after the massive success of Titan Comics teaming up with Behaviour Interactive in 2023 to produce Dead by Daylight Volume 1: The Legion by writer Nadia Shammas and artists Dillon Snook and Emilio Lecce. The Legion was the first-ever graphic novel spinoff of the games.

While fans don’t need to read this previous Dead by Daylight title to jump straight in The Hillbilly, it’s highly recommended for those who are interested in the bloody history and mystery of the Entity. The Entity is an ancient cosmic being that drives the game’s premise by kidnapping killers and survivors from different worlds and timelines and forcing them into endless trials.

When the rebellious FRANK crashes into the lives of JULIE, JOEY and SUSIE, together they’ll unleash bloody chaos onto the sleepy, dead-end town of Ormond. Witness the terrifying origins of THE LEGION.

The Entity’s ability to kidnap killers from different worlds is also the explanation behind one of the most fan-favorite elements of the game: its massive horror crossover roster. Iconic licensed killers featured in the gameplay include Halloween’s Michael Myers, A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Leatherface, Silent Hill’s Pyramid Head, and more.

The Hillbilly Gets Well-Deserved Spotlight Thanks to Titan Comics

Cover B Francesca Ciregia Variant for Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #1 (2026)

While the game’s crossovers with other IPs are one of its best parts, Dead by Daylight has also produced its own iconic original killers, including The Trapper, The Wraith, The Hillbilly, The Huntress, The Artist, and The Dredge. And now, thanks to Titan Comics, fans are getting some highly anticipated lore reveals concerning The Hillbilly.

According to Comics Bulletin, Titan Comics editor Phoebe Hedges had this to say about the upcoming Hillbilly project: “It’s been so exciting to work on The Hillbilly. Dead by Daylight is a rich tapestry of stories and this is something we’ve worked hard to reflect in the comic series. I’m so proud of what the team has created, and can safely say you’ll never know what to predict with a new Dead by Daylight comic.”

This statement makes it clear that Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly will unlock much more than an exclusive in-game charm using the unique code found inside the debut issue. There will definitely be some major lore drops concerning The Hillbilly and perhaps even other parts of Dead by Daylight lore, making this a can’t-miss installment.

Dead by Daylight: The Hillbilly #1 from Titan Comics is available on April 8, 2026!