Cuddly serial killer comic Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is turning into a veritable hit franchise for publisher IDW.
Currently in the midst of its second story volume, the Eisner Award-nominated title written and drawn by Patrick Horvath has seen sales so strong that what began as an unexpected hit will be getting a third volume.
“Back when I was working on the first issue, it was apparent that there was so much more you could do with this world,” Horvath tells The Hollywood Reporter. “As I started to imagine what the rippling consequences might be for the second volume, I realized it was going to be hard to stop. I’m thrilled that I get to continue the story into a third volume. I’m tempted to say more about what comes next, but I don’t want to ruin any surprises.”
But wait, that’s not all.
A tabletop RPG game and a card game are also in development, as well as plushies and other merchandizing.
And several studios and production companies are said to be circling Beneath the Trees for possible adaptation as a movie or series. This requisite Hollywood attention isn’t too far-fetched, as Horvath started out as a filmmaker in indie horror – he wrote and directed a segment in the 2016 horror anthology movie Southbound – before turning his attention creating Beneath the Trees. He still retains his Hollywood bona fides, as he was a storyboard artist on this summer’s surprise box office sensation, Weapons, by filmmaker Zach Cregger.
Beneath the Trees was a surprise hit when it was first published in 2024. With its Dexter meets Richard Scary tones, it centered on a brown bear named Samantha Strong, a seemingly mild-mannered hardware store owner (who is actually a serial killer) living a bucolic suburban town of Woodbrook.
IDW says the two series so far, including comics and collections, have sold more than 300,000 copies, a massive amount for what is a relatively new and original titles. And the comic was part of a select group of IDW titles that have been reformatted for scrolling webcomic platform Webtoon, where it has already garnered more than three million views, according to the company. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring is currently on its third issue, with two more to go.
The first volume received an Eisner nomination for best new series and the book is currently in the running for “book of the year” at New York Comic Con’s Harvey Awards as well as in the running for “best series” at Baltimore Comic-Con’s Ringo Awards.
“We’re a couple years into its initial release, and I still can’t quite wrap my head around the success that this book has enjoyed,” says Horvath. “You do so much of this work on your own at a drawing table, and to then have it put out into the world and received so well is mindblowing. It’s really overwhelming in the best way possible, and I have an immense gratitude for everyone who has played a part in creating and supporting this book. A huge thank you goes to IDW for taking a chance on me.”
Check out some covers for Rite of Spring no. 5 (including a movie homage variant by Tony Fleecs) plus a couple of unlettered pages from no. 4 below.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring
Courtesy of IDW
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring
Courtesy of IDW
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring
Courtesy of IDW
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring
Courtesy of IDW