At San Diego Comic Con, we had the opportunity to attend the “The Sinister World of IDW Dark” Panel showcasing, IDW’s new horror imprint. Creators and artists attached to IDW Dark showcased what is to be expected by taking us through bold new creative series, while bringing back legacy properties, pushing the horror genre in the industry. This is everything we were able to learn from this panel.
Event Horizon: Dark Descent by writer Christian Ward (writer of Blood Stained Teeth & Two-Face,) along with artist Tristan Jones (Aliens: Defiance & Halo: Rise of Atriox,) shows us why Event Horizon is the right fit for IDW Dark. This mini-series explores the story of what happened to the first crew of the Event Horizon, a story that was only alluded to previously. The creative team also stated that nothing is being held back, and not everyone survives in one piece. The final issue of the mini series releases on February 4, 2026, with all issues collected in trade paperback form, releasing July 28, 2026
The Exorcism at 1600 Penn from writer Hannah Rose May (Rogues’ Gallery & The Guy in the Chair) and with artist Vanesa R. Del Rey (The Empty Man & The Witcher: Witch’s Lament.) The Exorcism collides with the White House. The creators explained that they’ve been captivated by both, and this miniseries allowed them to bring the two into a modern horror narrative while keeping the historical and rich elements that we’re used to. While the series has come to a conclusion they left the door open for more demonic forces appearing in other locations. This world will be back, as it will be released on March 11, 2026, with another miniseries titled The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring from writer and artist Patrick Horvath (Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees & Free for All,) as we come back to the dark and vibrant world of Beneath the Trees, and the world is expanding with Rite of Spring. We’re following Monica, the sister of Daniel the Duck, who was a previous victim of Samantha. Monica, now fully capable of taking care of herself, sets herself up as a threat towards Samantha.
The Twilight Zone brings us back to the hauntingly familiar world of the beloved TV series. Rather than reinventing the premise, it explores the more interesting themes the show evoked in an anthology format. They explore what it means to be human and what it means to hold onto humanity while being printed in black and white emphasizing the horror while maintaining the classic look the show evoked.
Return to Sleepy Hollow is another treasured license coming back through a mini-series. Writer Casey Gilly (The Twilight Zone, Buffy: The Last Vampire Slayer, & Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts) acknowledges she is not Tim Burton, but once artist Savanna Mayer joined the direction and aesthetic became much clearer and familiar. The story itself is set 10 years after the events of the 1999 movie. Katrina now runs a funeral home while the main themes explored are of grief and loss. Within the restraints of a licensed comic, they found a space to explore human themes while being unapologetically campy.
Last but not least would be 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun coming back as another miniseries. Set more than 20 years after the original run, the new story allows the creator Steve Niles (30 Days of Night & Batman: Gotham County Line) to reflect on how the world has changed. Examining the current state of the world and reimagining how vampires and horror have adapted for current times.
With more on the way, IDW’s horror imprint drives the effort to merge legacy with new creative stories. And in an industry where horror as a genre has a more difficult time being relevant, as it once was, IDW is proving that horror is alive and evolving.
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