New Horror Comics Hit Iowa and the Gridiron This Fall
The expanding universe of horror comics is giving Iowans something to talk about this fall. IDW Dark is releasing two new titles in September that build on blockbuster franchises, and one of them has a direct connection to the Hawkeye State.
What is the new Smile comic about?
The Smile franchise is heading to the football field. Any Given Smile, a five-issue comic series from IDW Dark, takes readers back to 1995, before the events of the 2022 horror hit. The story centers on the American Arena League championship game, where the Sharks' backup quarterback is battling pressure from teammates, fans, and the city's gambling underworld. A string of suicides rocks the community, and a suspicious sports journalist digs deeper into the connection between the deaths and the big game. The terrifying Smile Entity threatens payouts, sanity, and lives as no one can trust what they see.
Writer Stephanie Williams leads the series, with art by Pablo Collar, colors by Triona Farrell, and letters by Ariana Maher. The comic arrives in shops this September.
How does Iowa connect to the A Quiet Place comics?
While Smile tackles the sports world, IDW Dark is also returning to the A Quiet Place franchise, a series that has already featured an Iowa setting. The previous comic, A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, took readers to Pearl, Iowa, a small island town in the Midwest fighting for survival against sound-hunting creatures. That earlier installment gave Iowa readers a localized glimpse of the apocalypse.
The new release, A Quiet Place: Rising Tides, shifts the setting to the Florida Keys. A young woman named Grace tracks down her estranged father, only to find the end of the world instead of closure. Stranded on a houseboat with her sick father and dwindling supplies, she faces predators along the shoreline and an approaching hurricane. Like Any Given Smile, the comic expands an already popular horror universe with added depth and backstory.
Why are these franchise expansions significant?
Horror franchises are increasingly using comics to fill in gaps between films, and the strategy is working. Smile started as a 2022 film about a therapist who witnesses a patient's suicide and experiences disturbing supernatural visions. It spawned a 2024 sequel, Smile 2, and a third film is now in development.
Before Any Given Smile, IDW Dark released Smile For the Camera earlier this year, taking the Smile Entity to New York Fashion Week in 2005. The new sports-themed prequel goes back even further, shifting from modeling to athletics. This gradual expansion of lore gives fans material between movie releases and deepens the overall mythology.
For Iowa readers, the A Quiet Place connection is especially notable. The franchise has proven that small Midwestern communities, including Iowa towns like Pearl, are compelling settings for survival stories. Rising Tides continues that tradition of isolation and resilience, this time on open water.
When do the new horror comics arrive?
Both Any Given Smile and A Quiet Place: Rising Tides hit comic shops in September. The timing lines up with the start of the fall season, when audiences traditionally seek out horror and thriller content. The previous A Quiet Place comic set in Pearl, Iowa, and the earlier Smile prequel are available now for readers who want to catch up.
FAQ
Is Any Given Smile connected to the Smile movies?
Yes. Any Given Smile is a prequel set in 1995, before the events of the 2022 film. It explores the same Smile Entity that drives the movie franchise.
Was there an A Quiet Place comic set in Iowa?
Yes. A Quiet Place: Storm Warning was set in Pearl, Iowa, a small island town in the Midwest. The new comic, Rising Tides, moves to the Florida Keys.
Who is publishing the new horror comics?
IDW Dark, a division of IDW Publishing, is releasing both Any Given Smile and A Quiet Place: Rising Tides this September.