IDW shook up the horror comics world with the announcement of IDW Dark, a new horror imprint that landed with a force given the caliber of the licenses it had under its umbrella. Smile, Event Horizon, Twilight Zone, and A Quiet Place are among the titles being prepped to help turn the publisher into the new face of the genre in the realm of sequential art. As if this this weren’t enough of a push to claim centerstage, IDW is also announcing another, more focused horror line called Nightcaps.
Nightcaps will focus on creating a space for unique writer/artists looking to take a plunge into darkness with oversized one-shots meant to showcase how far horror can bend in the hands of newer artistic visionaries. Add IDW’s recent success with the return of EC Comics, along with a proven history of horror classics such as 30 Days of Night and Locke and Key (coupled with their recent Dark Spaces comics), and it becomes quite easy to argue the publisher will be settling for nothing less than a legitimate empire of horror in comics.
Everything will be revealed during Free Comic Book Day 2025, with a sampler that will feature looks at the next chapters of 30 Days of Night and Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees on the Dark side of things, and Tuatha and Blood Honey on the Nightcaps end. Blood Honey comes from the mind of Sean Peacock, and it centers on school sweethearts at a gothic prep school navigating betrayal and murder plots to avoid breakups. Tuatha, created by Gavin Fullerton, follows a princess who is on a journey throughout the land with her king’s head, braving warring clans and forgotten gods that cross her path.
Excitement is already building for Dark and Nightcaps, with some of the authors involved sounding off to express how important this new influx of horror can be for the medium. Here are a few quotes:
“I’m so happy to be working with Steve, IDW and the characters from the legendary world of 30 Days of Night! We have an incredible story lined up that adds to the established 30 Days mythology while taking the story in some surprising directions. I think this book is a perfect addition to IDW’s free comic book day and I look forward to hearing what the fans think!” – Rodney Barnes
“I am very excited to see a new 30 Days of Night series coming to life and I can’t think of a better person for the job than Rodney Barnes. Rodney has been tearing it up in recent years and I think he’ll bring new blood to the series. Can’t wait for Free Comic Book Day so fans can get a look!” – Steve Niles
“The talent behind this first slate of IDW Dark books is insane, and I’m honored to be included in this lineup of immensely talented creators. I couldn’t have asked for a better label for my first traditionally-published comic. I’m so excited for readers to step into the world of Blood Honey, a gothic high school romance gone bad. Expect high drama, teenage angst, bloody knuckles, sword fights, and murder plots that would raise even Hitchcock’s eyebrows. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, and you’ll be utterly disgusted with these kids.” –Sean Peacock
“I’m really excited for my book Tuatha to be part of the new IDW Dark imprint. I feel IDW has always pushed the boundaries when it comes to art and storytelling and this new creator focused horror imprint shows their dedication to that vison. A story about a young girl carrying a severed head across an Irish mythological landscape seems like the perfect fit!” –Gavin Fullerton
“I’m thrilled to be a part of IDW Dark. As a fan and as a creator, horror has always been my favorite genre. The fact that Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is now part of an imprint dedicated to the genre and amongst so many amazing books is such a great feeling. It’s a testament to the success of the book, but also to all of the amazing support and understanding that IDW has given since day one.” –Patrick Horvath
The IDW Dark and Nightcaps sampler is sure to be one of the most sought-after books at next year’s FCBD celebration. Comics have been betting on imprints for a few years now, and many have come and gone without fanfare. IDW seems to have a unified vision for their future in genre, and they’re fully aware that fans refuse to believe there’s such a thing as too much horror.
