SMILE: FOR THE CAMERA #3 (IDW DARK)
Freja was the next inflicted with the “curse” and it appears that she passed it on to Lena. Well Lena slips into madness, Ivy continues to struggle with not only the crazy deaths, but also the sleazy world of modeling. Can they both break the cycle before it’s too late?
Smile: For the Camera #3 – Written By Hannah Rose May – Art By Miriana Puglia – Colors By Dearbhla Kelly – Letters By Brian Kolek – Edited By Heather Antos -Published By IDW Publishing
Credit: IDW Dark
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
STORY OVERVIEW:
Lena witnessed the terrible death of Freja, but worse than that was the way Freja told her she was next after her death. Now, Lena is trying to escape with her boyfriend, so she doesn’t have to face her fears. Meanwhile, Ivy is growing more disturbed with not just the crazy deaths, but also the sleazy nature of the modeling world. She goes to Purple to quit but finds out that he owns her until she can pay back the advance she has been given. Proving once again how terrible this world is. Alana offers her an outlet to tell what is happening to her friends and offers her a meeting with her editor to tell her story. But before she can decide on giving the interview, Lena is back and her nightmare is just heating up.
WRITING:
This issue further shows the twisted and sleazy world Ivy, and the other girls find themselves in. Hannah Rose May shows us that the curse isn’t necessarily the worst thing in this world. The sleazy and disrespectful way the girls are treated by Purple and the modeling industry is almost as disturbing as the grisly deaths. May shows how they are taken advantage of and abused in every way possible. What’s worse is they are expected to not only take it, but to seek it out and ask for more. At times it feels like the girls would be better off afflicted by the “curse” as it seems more humane in ways.
Speaking of the “curse”, it attaches itself to the next victim and shows us a little more of what it’s capable of. May lets you know that you can’t outrun it, because eventually it will drive you mad enough to finally get you. The psychological torture Lena goes through in this issue is greater than we’ve seen thus far. May is really ramping up the horror and upping the ante with each issue.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this issue absolutely crackles with energy and gives the story an extra jolt. Miriana Puglia nails the book’s look and atmosphere, delivering bold backgrounds and standout character work that make the world feel alive and unsettling. When the horror hits, it hits hard, with gruesome imagery that really lands. Dearbhla Kelly elevates every page with sharp, purposeful colors that make the visuals pop and pull the eye exactly where it needs to go. Together, they bring the book to life in a way that feels intense, stylish, and perfectly in tune with the franchise.
Check Out My First Look at SMILE: FOR THE CAMERA #2
Final Thoughts:
Smile: For the Camera #3 continues to build horror on multiple levels. The story is unsettling and that is based mostly on the sleazy modeling world. After you add in the gore and madness, you end up with horror from every angle. This story brings something to the table for every thriller/horror fan. Crossing so many elements usually leads to confusion and things getting lost in the shuffle. But this series absolutely thrives on the craziness of all the threads it weaves. This is a must-read series for horror comic fans.
FINAL GRADE: 9.3/10
Let me know your thoughts on Smile: For the Camera #3 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
