IDW Publishing’s horror-focused imprint, IDW Dark, is dialing up the nightmares with four brand-new series designed to haunt readers well after the lights go out. The slate includes SMILE: For the Camera, A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace, and Operation: Iron Coffin.
“At IDW, we love nothing more than keeping readers up at night — and with these new titles, we’re about to unleash a quadruple shot of terror to kick off 2026,” said Heather Antos, Group Editor of IDW Dark. “From royal hauntings to apocalyptic silence to fashion-week frights, this lineup proves horror can be elegant, inventive, and downright terrifying. Buckle up… because the nightmares are only getting started.”
The first to arrive is SMILE: For the Camera #1 in February. Written by Hannah Rose May (Rogues’ Gallery, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn) with art by Miriana Puglia (Red Sonja), the story rewinds to 2005, where a group of international models is stalked by the sinister Smile Entity during Fashion Month in New York. “As a huge fan of Smile, I’m honored to be entrusted with expanding Parker Finn’s terrifying universe into comics,” said May. “Like how Smile 2 took us inside the world of a present-day pop star, our series throws it back to the early 2000s and drops the Entity right into the ruthless world of the modeling industry.”
March brings two more nightmares: A Quiet Place: Storm Warning and The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace. In A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, creators Phil Hester (Gotham City: Year One) and Ryan Kelly (Lucifer) explore how a small Iowa island town endures the silence-shattering threat of alien invaders. “As a franchise, I think A Quiet Place stands out for two reasons. Each movie is a relentless torrent of suspenseful action, but with a genuinely moving drama at its core,” Hester explained. “With this series, I feel Ryan Kelly and I have replicated those qualities… Just remember to flip those pages quietly. Something unwanted might be listening.”
Meanwhile, Hannah Rose May returns with The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace, joined by artist Kelsey Ramsay (Godzilla: Heist). Following on the heels of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, this sequel shifts the demonic horror to London’s royal halls. “The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace expands the universe with a brand-new setting, cast and mythology,” said May. “It’s a fresh entry point for new readers, while rewarding the fans who’ve been with us since the beginning.”
Finally, coming in July is Operation: Iron Coffin #1, a pulpy, action-horror mash-up from writer Kenny Porter (Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow) and artist Tyrell Cannon (Fantastic Four Fanfare). Inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the comic sees the vampire lord dropped into WWII to battle Nazi forces and prevent Hitler from raising a vampire army. “We’ve got a really unique, horror/action take on the character that fans of Castlevania, Metal Gear, and Hellboy are going to love,” said Porter. Cannon added: “Drawing Dracula versus the ultimate evil is a dream (nightmare?) come true. Get on board for this bloody train ride!”
IDW Dark continues to build out its horror library, which already includes titles like Event Horizon: Dark Descent, The Twilight Zone, Return to Sleepy Hollow, 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun, and Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring.
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