Smiley

Smiley, real name Richard Smiley, is one of the most deranged and darkly iconic supporting characters to emerge from Chaos! Comics in the early 1990s. Known by the monikers Smiley Face Button and Smiley the Psychotic Button, this supernatural entity first appeared in Evil Ernie #2 (1992), making that issue a cornerstone key for any serious Chaos! Comics collector. Born from the twisted Chaos! universe, Smiley serves as the maniacal, grinning button companion to the undead powerhouse Evil Ernie, and his sheer unpredictability and sinister charm quickly made him a fan favorite.

Do not let the diminutive form fool you — Smiley is armed with a staggering arsenal of supernatural abilities. His powers span invulnerability, immortality, necromancy, soul absorption, possession, and animation, alongside more visceral weapons like claws, death touch, flame breath, and hellfire control. He even commands controlled bone growth and can enhance mutations in others, cementing his status as a wildly versatile threat within the Chaos! universe. This terrifying toolkit made Smiley far more than a sidekick — he was a force of supernatural chaos in his own right, capable of turning the tide of any confrontation.

Smiley's presence throughout the Evil Ernie series and the broader Chaos! Comics line gave writers room to explore dark comedy alongside genuine horror, a balance that defined the publisher's brand during its late-'80s and '90s peak. His loyalty to Evil Ernie and his unhinged demeanor provided tonal contrast that kept stories unpredictable. Collectors who chased the flagship Evil Ernie title quickly discovered that issues prominently featuring Smiley carried extra weight, as his growing mythology added layers to the Chaos! universe that extended into crossovers and spin-off series.

For collectors, Evil Ernie #2 (1992) from Chaos! Comics is the key book to hunt — it marks Smiley's first appearance and remains one of the more sought-after back issues from the publisher's catalog. Chaos! Comics titles from this era have seen renewed collector interest as horror and cult-publisher books climb in value, making Smiley-centric issues smart pickings for those building a focused Chaos! run. Whether you are chasing first appearances, complete Evil Ernie story arcs, or the full sweep of the Chaos! universe, Smiley's books belong in any serious horror comics collection.