Also Known As: The Creep, The Creepshow Host
First Appearance: Creepshow (1982)
Most Iconic Form: Cloaked skeletal ghoul presenting tales of terror from a comic book
Kill Count: Various (direct and indirect across films and television segments)
Portrayed by: Tom Savini (Creepshow 2), Greg McDougall (Creepshow 3)
Tier: Second Class Tier
The Creep is the macabre host and overarching antagonist of the Creepshow franchise, acting as both storyteller and orchestrator of horror. Emerging from the pages of a comic book, he bridges the gap between fiction and reality, presenting tales of revenge, punishment, and grotesque justice. Unlike traditional slashers, The Creep is less a physical killer and more a supernatural ringmaster, guiding the audience through a world where morality is twisted and the wicked often meet fittingly horrific ends.
His presence is deeply rooted in EC Comics tradition, embodying the spirit of classic horror anthologies like Tales from the Crypt. Whether silent and skeletal or more animated and talkative, The Creep consistently revels in suffering, often showing particular enjoyment when cruel or abusive characters receive their comeuppance. Despite occasional hints of sympathy toward victims, his true allegiance is always to the horror itself.
Creepshow (1982)
The Creep first appears as a hooded, skeletal figure who emerges at the window of a young boy named Billy, presenting a series of terrifying stories from the Creepshow comic. He does not speak, instead cackling and communicating through the comic’s text. In the film’s closing moments, his influence extends beyond narration, as Billy uses a voodoo doll ordered from the comic to exact revenge on his abusive father. The Creep is implied to be the catalyst behind this supernatural retribution, blurring the line between storyteller and participant.
Creepshow 2 (1987)
In the sequel, The Creep takes on a more physical and vocal role, appearing as a grotesque delivery man who brings the Creepshow comic to another young boy. This version speaks and interacts directly, presenting the film’s segments with a more theatrical flair. He is shown taking clear pleasure in the grisly fates of the stories’ victims, particularly those who deserve punishment, reinforcing his role as a twisted moral arbiter.
Creepshow 3 (2006)
The Creep returns in a more bizarre and grounded disguise, appearing as a hot dog vendor. In one of his most disturbing depictions, he kills a dog and processes it into food, highlighting his sadistic and grotesque nature. While continuing to present horror stories, this version of The Creep is more actively malicious, engaging directly in violent acts rather than simply observing them.
Television Appearance
Creepshow (2019– )
In the Shudder television series, The Creep returns to his original form as a cloaked, decaying figure, once again silent and puppet-like in design. This version is far more active between segments, shown stalking, killing, and dismembering victims in the shadows. While still acting as host, he becomes more of a direct participant in the horror, reinforcing his role as both narrator and embodiment of the stories themselves.
Character and Legacy
The Creep stands as one of horror’s most iconic anthology hosts, a figure who represents not just death, but storytelling itself. He is less concerned with simple killing and more invested in the poetic justice of each tale, ensuring that cruelty, greed, and abuse are met with fittingly gruesome consequences.
As the living embodiment of the Creepshow comic, he occupies a unique place in the Hall of Killers. He is not confined to a single narrative or victim list, instead existing across multiple stories, timelines, and forms. This ability to transcend individual plots elevates him beyond standard slasher villains, placing him firmly in the Second Class Tier as a symbol of horror’s darker morality and its enduring love of twisted, ironic punishment.
League Placement
The Creep belongs in the Second Class Tier. While not a traditional slasher, his legacy as a horror host, supernatural manipulator, and recurring figure across films and television gives him a lasting and influential presence within the genre.