IDW tried to focus on the horrors at NYCC today, but their panel started with a quip about the much-maligned logo. “This is going to be the case for a while,” said marketing director and moderator Orb Driver.
Then the announcements started, and the biggest announcement was the release of IDW’s new horror offering, IDW Dark. After the success of Beneath the Trees, IDW looked for more ways to tell terrifying horror stories, aiming to leave a completely new impression.
“Horror is in our blood,” said editor Maggie Howell. Sequel series “30 Days of Night Falling Sun” and “Beneath The Trees Rite of Spring” will be featured. Creator Patrick Horvath talked about how Rite of Spring will explore the influence of the first book on the characters. He imagines the film as being set in the ’90s, and notes how the proliferation of the internet is a factor, like armchair detectives trying to solve crimes on message boards. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles screenwriter Jason Aaron also attended the panel and said he read Beneath the Trees just last week and “I haven’t been able to get that image out of my head ever since.” .
As with most books, licensed properties are a big part of IDW Dark. The company plans to expand its relationship with Paramount. The properties announced include “Smile,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Event Horizon,” “A Quiet Place,” and “Sleepy Hollow.” Mr. Howell said, “I don’t want to pick a favorite, but this is mine.” It might happen,” he said. Release date and plot details have not been announced.
Another major announcement from the IDW board was the addition of a Godzilla comic. Godzilla Heist was announced in February. This is the story of a man who figures out how to lure Godzilla from city to city. Like a master opportunist, he robs a bank while Godzilla rains chaos.
Next up is Mothra: Queen of the Monsters. “She’s dead in two pages, so that’s a problem they have to deal with,” said editor Jake Williams. She was killed by Antora, a new monster created by IDW who killed Mothra. It is expected to be released in March.
Finally, Godzilla vs. America is revealed. The anthology series follows Godzilla as he rampages through destruction across America. “Guys, we’re screwed!” Williams said. Each issue features the creative team of a city that Godzilla is terrorizing, with New York and Chicago being the first to face the monster’s wrath.
