Tree Gelbman has been through enough birthdays to last a lifetime—literally. The Happy Death Day franchise put Jessica Rothe's college student through a relentless cycle of murder and resurrection, forcing her to solve her own death while everyone else remained blissfully unaware. Each reset brought new clues, new dangers, and a fresh chance to survive, even if it meant another spectacularly gruesome demise.
Then Happy Death Day 2U flipped the script, introducing alternate realities and a sci-fi explanation for Tree's predicament. Director Christopher Landon expanded the slasher mystery into a mind-bending adventure, leaving fans with more questions than answers. Since the sequel hit theaters in 2019, audiences have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter—and now, it's finally on the horizon, just not in the form many expected.
Blumhouse and IDW Dark have announced a new publishing partnership, and Happy Death Day is getting an original comic series written by Tim Seeley, the acclaimed creator behind Hack/Slash and Revival. The collaboration kicks off with The Purge in late 2027, with Happy Death Day following at a yet-to-be-revealed date. This marks a bold expansion of the horror universe, bringing beloved franchises to the page in fresh, unexpected ways.
Not a Replacement for a Third Movie
For fans holding out hope for Tree's big-screen return, there's good news: the comic isn't closing that door. IDW Dark lead editor Heather Antos has been in direct contact with Christopher Landon about his vision for Happy Death Day 3. In the announcement, Antos revealed that Landon shared his plans for the sequel, and the team is working to ensure the comics complement rather than contradict those ideas. She explained, "Are there ways in the comics that we can lean into that while also leaving room for them to tell the story that they want to tell should they get to?"
This careful coordination means the comic and a potential film can coexist. The announcement doesn't greenlight a third movie, but it also doesn't kill the possibility. Landon has been vocal about his desire to complete the trilogy, and this comic could serve as a bridge—or a standalone adventure—depending on how things unfold.
What to Expect From the Comic
Details remain scarce. No artist, synopsis, or release date has been announced, and it's unclear whether Tree will even be the protagonist. The story could revisit familiar faces, explore a new corner of the Happy Death Day universe, or introduce entirely fresh characters. What's certain is that Tim Seeley's knack for blending horror and humor makes him a perfect fit for a franchise that's always balanced scares with a wink.
This isn't the first time Blumhouse has dipped into comics—they've previously partnered with other publishers—but the IDW Dark collaboration feels particularly promising. With The Purge leading the charge and Happy Death Day close behind, horror fans have plenty to look forward to. And if you're craving more genre thrills, check out our ranking of the most fun R-rated horror movies to tide you over.
While we wait for more details, it's worth revisiting the original films. Happy Death Day remains a clever twist on the slasher genre, and its sequel's sci-fi turn opened up endless possibilities. Whether the comic follows Tree or charts a new path, it's clear the franchise has plenty of life left in it. And who knows? Maybe this is the push that finally gets Happy Death Day 3 off the ground.
For now, the announcement is a win for fans who've been starving for more. The comic promises to deliver the same blend of suspense, dark comedy, and inventive kills that made the movies so beloved. Stay tuned for updates on the creative team and release schedule—this is one story worth dying to read.
