House of Whispers #17 Review

by Nick Devonald on January 08, 2020

Writer: Nalo Hopkinson with Dan Watters
Artist: Dominike “Domo” Stanton & Matthew Dow Smith
Colors:  Zac Atkinson
Letters: AndWorld design

One of the things I like about this series is meeting random mortal characters who only feature for a few issues. They’re usually peripheral to the main story, collateral damage from the Gods. Thanks to the good writing we don’t need to spend a lot of time getting a good feel for the character, a few lines of dialogue is more than enough to establish them firmly in our mind.

One of the other things I like about House of Whispers in particular is that it rarely goes the way I’m expecting. At no point have I had any clue what was going to happen with cat-thing. And this issue takes cat-thing and Poquita’s story in yet another unexpected direction. I have no idea what’ll happen next but I know I’m enjoying it and I’m excited to see where it goes next. I'm particularly intrigued and excited to see the direction that Poquita's story takes. I feel like she may have a very important role in this series, and the Sandman Universe generally, going forward.

I like the fact that they’ve brought Papa Midnite into the Sandman Universe. It makes sense since Hellblazer is now part of it. There’s some great scenes in this issue with him getting high and recruiting some help in the quest that Erzulie has him on. It’s funny and one of the standout moments of the comic.

There are so many interesting parts in play, and while the majority I have not even the slightest inclination where they’ll go I know I’m invested and can’t wait to see where they all go. Since the Corinthians introduction in #8, and the battle with Ananse, his story hasn’t gone the way I’ve expected either.

The art has been consistent throughout the run and Dominike “Domo” Stanton & Matthew Dow Smith carry that on here. It works really well and it helps to change the tone of each scene. Zac Atkinson’s colors are good and I particularly liked what he did in the scenes with Papa Midnite getting high.

This issue looks to be getting ready to tie up a lot of threads from earlier issues and I look forward to seeing where it all goes. I’m enjoying the fact that things are rarely what they same and more often than not taken unexpected directions. Another strong addition in the world of The Sandman Universe.

Our Score:

7/10

A Look Inside