http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=159505
Artist/Writer: Matthew Sturges, Bill Willingham, Luca Rossi, Ross Campbell, Jill Thompson, Steve Rolston, Zachary Baldus, Sean Murphy
Publisher: Vertigo (DC), $9.99
Why You Should Know It:
Focusing mostly on new occupant Fig, House of Mystery follows her and 4 other permanent guests trapped in the House. Unable to escape and waiting to be randomly released and questioned by a mysterious Coachman, the older guests spend their time listening to the stories told by the other rotating guests that can freely come and go as they please. The only currency in the House are stories, so the reader is treated to short stories spread throughout the series as the larger mystery of the House and it's unwitting occupants is slowly revealed. This book is a pretty easy sell to any fan of Willingham's most popular work, Fables. The general atmosphere of the book lends itself to the Fables style of storytelling, and the art isn't that far of a departure as well. The rotating guest artist for the short stories featured in each issue is also a nice hook. Generally at our store we have a very strong fan base for any new Vertigo projects that come out. Combine that with the huge fan base for Willingham and this book sorta sells itself. Add the fact that as with most new Vertigo TPBs the cover price to the first volume is only $9.99, a great deal for five issues worth (usually a fifteen dollar value).
via WizardWorld
Personal Review:
I am a big fan of Fables as well, so I jumped on to the series when it first came in. I actually do prefer reading them in a TPB though, mostly because with any type of series with a mystery to it I always feel is better read as a package deal and in a single sitting. The scripting is typical of Willingham and from what we have seen of Sturges in his other DC work. Solid with a dark humor aspect to it, maybe a little detached in the dialogue but not in any way that hurts it. I really do like the pacing of the series however, because I think it could potentially be bogged down quickly if it didn't have all the little short story breaks.
The core artist, Rossi, has what I would describe as an in-house Vertigo style. Dark and clean, nothing really flashy but very solid and he can tell a story. I do love Jill Thompson's art, so I always consider it a treat to see her work. Campbell's section is really really really creepy. Really. Baldus' art wasn't bad in any way, but it didn't really do anything for me either. The Rolston section was nice, even if it felt a little out of place style wise. Now Sean Murphy, I am quickly growing to be a huge fan of. I loved his series Orbital and he has been doing stellar covers for the Marvel Adventures stuff. So anytime I see him I consider it a great treat. Plus, you can't really go wrong with little bits of dialogue like this:
Random pedestrian: GODDAMN ELDER GODS!! (Said as unloading an uzi on a giant squid monster)
Jordan, the barkeeps occasional helper: I know, right?
If you like this then try :
Fables, Jack of Fables, Proposition Player, Showcase Presents: House of Mystery, Orbital, Scary Godmother, Wet Moon, The Abandoned
Related Links:
http://www.billwillingham.com/
http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/
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