Saturday, August 6, 2011

House of Mystery v4: Halloween Annual #1



Do You See What I See by Matthew Struges (writer), Luca Lossi (penciler), José Marzán, Jr. (inker), Lee Loughridge (colors) - This is the framing device for the rest of the stories in this issue. It seems to take place outside of the House of Mystery's current continuity. The participants in the framing story are all HoM regulars (Fig, Harry, Cress, Poet, Anne) but some of them were out of the picture by the end of the last story arc. Given the weird nature of the House, in particular, and comic books, in general, this isn't a difficult situation to accept.

The rest of the stories all read like promos for other Vertigo series. Some are better than others. All but one involve a mask which also plays a key role in the first story.

High Spirits by Mark Buckingham (write), Bill Willingham (writer, penciler), Kevin Nowlan (inker), Lee Loughridge (colors) - a Merv Pumpkinhead story

Letter from a Suicide by Peter Milligan (writer), Giuseppe Camuncoli (layouts), Stephano Landini (finishes), Dave McCaig (colors) - a John Constantine/Hellblazer story

Trick or Treat by Chris Roberson (writer), Mike Allred (artist), Laura Allred (colors) - an I Zombie! story

Captive Audience by Matt Wagner (writer), Amy Reeder Hadley (penciler), Richard Friend (inker), Guy Majors (colors) - a Madame Xanadu story - by far the prettiest of the four stories

House of Mystery is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics