Smile has become one of the most successful and highly rated horror films of late, and now it’s getting a comic book series from IDW Dark. Taking things in a unique direction is writer Hannah Rose May with art by Miriana Puglia, in a story set in 2005, focusing on a group of international models who are stalked by the sinister Smile Entity. It’s a clever combo, given models need to look their best and smile, but the entity will certainly make that easier for them with deadly side effects.
Out on February 18th, I got an advance look at the final issue, which aims to introduce a new chain reaction of deaths, but also probe the world of fashion models. In fact, I ended up finding that the models and their lives were being managed by an old, rather crass modeling agency guru. Think Devil Wears Prada, only the models aren’t even human, just tickets to lucrative contracts.
The story opens with a gruesome death, with chunks of body drawn well by Miriana Puglia and colored expertly by Dearbhla Kelly. Much of the issue leads us down a road with a new model named Ivy joining an agency for the first time. She integrates with other models, and we get to discover the ugly truths and seedier side of breaking in. All the while, the Smile Entity rears its head here and there, building towards the first of likely many deaths.
The first issue leans more heavily into the fashion world than you might expect.
Credit: IDW
The strength of this issue lies in May’s dialogue, fleshing out the more seasoned models who are judgmental of Ivy and nearly bored with the usual day-to-day of being a model. They’ve seen it all, done it all, and are putting in their time to get the big contract. Meanwhile, Ivy is more down-to-earth and reasonable, knowing modeling may not be her calling. It’s clear May is building up each of their personalities so that when the Smile Entity jumps from one to another, we’ll care enough about them when their death comes calling.
There aren’t as many scares as I’d like, though the creepy factor is present and strong when the Smile Entity makes appearances. The build-up and tension are palpable, and you’ll definitely be hooked for the next issue, knowing the characters, and the scene is set. In one Smile Entity appearance, Puglia adds a creepy smiling person, but also the visage of a smile on the side of a building to maximize the weirdness. It’s a nice touch.
Smile: For the Camera #1 carves out its own identity by grounding supernatural horror in the ruthless world of high fashion, where people are treated as commodities long before the Smile Entity arrives. Hannah Rose May excels at character work, using sharp dialogue to explore ambition, burnout, and exploitation, while Miriana Puglia’s art ensures the horror lands when it needs to. Though the scares are more measured than relentless, the creeping unease and strong thematic foundation make this a compelling expansion of the Smile universe that understands horror is often most effective when it waits.
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