What order should I read Dave McKean's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Arkham Asylum.

What is Dave McKean's most famous book?

Arkham Asylum (1989) is Dave McKean's most widely read book.

Dave McKean books in order

English artist, photographer, filmmaker and musician

Born: 1963
Country: United Kingdom
Books: 22

Graphic novels

Dave McKean has published 6 novels, 4 novellas, 1 short story collection, 1 non-fiction book, 5 children's books and 5 other books, beginning with Arkham Asylum (1989). The latest is The Weight of Words (2017).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Dave McKean

Start here
Arkham Asylum
Dave McKean's most-read book.
Newest
The Weight of Words
Published 2017.

Standalone novels in order

Arkham Asylum (1989)
216 pages★ 3.8 (17 ratings)
Buy
Dustcovers (1997)
207 pages
Buy
Slow Chocolate Autopsy (1997)
240 pages
Buy
Outlaw Varjak Paw (2005)
272 pages
Buy
Pictures That Tick (2009)
184 pages
Buy
Cages (2014)
496 pages
Buy

Novellas in order

Violent Cases (1991)
48 pages
Buy
Mr. Punch (1994)
96 pages★ 3.6 (5 ratings)
Buy
The Vertigo Tarot (2008)
128 pages
Buy
Black Dog (2016)
128 pages
Buy

Short story collections in order

The Weight of Words (2017)
248 pages
Buy

Non-fiction in order

The Magic of Reality (2011)
272 pages★ 3.9 (15 ratings)
Buy

Children's books in order

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish (1997)
64 pages★ 3.9 (9 ratings)
Buy
The Wolves in the Walls (2003)
56 pages★ 3.8 (12 ratings)
Buy
MirrorMask (2005)
80 pages
Buy
Crazy Hair (2009)
Buy
Mouse Bird Snake Wolf (2013)
Buy

Other books in order

Small Book of Black & White Lies (1995)
Buy
Coraline (2002)
Buy
Joe Quinn's Poltergeist (2019)
80 pages
Buy
Raptor (2021)
Buy
Absolute Batman (2024)
Buy

About Dave McKean

David McKean is an English artist. His work incorporates drawing, painting, photography, collage, found objects, digital art, and sculpture. McKean has illustrated works by authors such as S.F. Said, Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison, Heston Blumenthal, Ray Bradbury and Stephen King. He has also directed three feature films.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Dave McKean FAQ

How many books has Dave McKean written?: Dave McKean has published 6 novels, 4 novellas, 1 short story collection, 1 non-fiction book, 5 children's books and 5 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Dave McKean's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Arkham Asylum.
What is Dave McKean's latest book?: The Weight of Words (2017).
What is Dave McKean's most famous book?: Arkham Asylum (1989) is Dave McKean's most widely read book.