Why We're Excited for IDW's 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun Comic
The upcoming release of 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun, set to hit shelves on October 15, 2025, has horror comic enthusiasts buzzing with anticipation. This new chapter in the iconic 30 Days of Night franchise, published by IDW’s horror-focused imprint IDW Dark, returns to Barrow, Alaska, where the sun vanishes for 30 days, creating a chilling playground for vampires. The original 2002 miniseries by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith redefined vampire horror with its brutal, atmospheric storytelling, and Falling Sun is now tasked with upholding that legacy while introducing new terror. That being said, here’s why we have high hopes for the next installment of the 30 Days of Night universe.
30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 (2025), IDW
An Experienced Creative Team
Written by Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia, Batman: Full Moon) and illustrated by Chris Shehan (House of Slaughter, The Autumnal), Falling Sun boasts a pretty powerhouse creative team. Barnes’ knack for blending visceral horror with emotional depth pairs perfectly with Shehan’s evocative art, known for its haunting, expressive style.
Fortunately, their oversized first issue (which has already been previewed and met with rave reviews) is looking to maximize the property’s potential in order to deliver a bloody, chilling narrative that honors the franchise’s roots while simultaneously pushing it into new territory. The prospect of their vision resurrecting Barrow’s nightmarish atmosphere is a major reason for the excitement.
A Fresh Yet Familiar Story
30 Days of Night: Falling Sun introduces Jalen James, a troubled teen fleeing gang violence in Los Angeles, seeking refuge in Barrow. This new protagonist offers a fresh perspective, grounding the horror in personal stakes. The story picks up two decades after the original vampire massacre, with Barrow’s residents divided—some scarred by memory, others dismissing the past as myth.
Meanwhile, vampires in Romania plot revenge for their fallen leader, Vicente, setting the stage for a brutal clash. This mix of new characters and unresolved vendettas builds on the original’s themes of survival and sacrifice, promising a gripping narrative.
IDW Dark's Horror Renaissance
The launch of IDW Dark, dedicated to horror titles like A Quiet Place and The Twilight Zone, solidifies IDW’s commitment to bold, terrifying genre stories. Falling Sun is obviously acting as a flagship title for this imprint, alongside sequels like Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring. The imprint’s focus on both licensed and original horror comics suggests Falling Sun will benefit from a renewed emphasis on quality and innovation, amplifying its appeal. Who knows, maybe we’ll get even more 30 Days of Night content in the future…
A Legacy of Influence
Since its debut, 30 Days of Night has been a cornerstone of modern horror comics, influencing the genre with its stark, brutal vampires and isolated setting. Plus, it even earned itself a solid live-action adaptation (and a less exciting direct-to-DVD sequel). Falling Sun taps into this legacy while promising an assortment of surprises, as Barnes hints at taking the mythology in “unexpected directions.” With its October release perfectly timed for spooky season, this comic is set to deliver a chilling, unforgettable experience. And we’re ready for whatever that entails!
