The Nice House on the Lake #1 Review
Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Álvaro Martínez Bueno
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by: Andworld Design
Publisher: DC Comics
The creative team behind The Nice House on the Lake is one I’ve come to trust wholly, so I did my best to come into this series with as little knowledge as possible. Though it was a pain to fight off my curiosity, it was completely worth it! If you’ve yet to hear about this title, love suspenseful books, vivid and gorgeous imagery, an engrossing plot then close this out and pick this issue up!
The story follows a group of people connected by Walter, an odd fellow, but seemingly kind as he’s invited everyone to a beautiful (and I mean BEAUTIFUL) house in the woods. And while there are some strange arrangements Walter has put together, everything appears seemingly harmless. Tynion IV has weaved quite the story and this first issue gives readers just enough clues into its future that it’s impossible to resist the draw of picking up issue two. I love the way these characters are presented; histories, relationships, and personalities alluded to by their way of speech and partnered with Bueno’s designs we gain so much information. There’s a scene between Norah and Veronica that comes to mind where the whole team is just on point. Pauses inferred by the split speech bubbles and one word replies and the cigarette hanging from Norah’s mouth in a dispirited manner offer much to their history. The book benefits from rereads, to pick up on subtle imagery, I hadn’t noticed a smaller panel with Norah hidden in Veronica’s introductory panel through my first read through and I’m hoping to see if there are any more clues sprinkled in those first pages.
Gosh the art here is fantastic. The bright, warm colors of the first pages seem inviting, but have a blaring aspect to them and when the panels zoom into Walter’s glasses, the reader’s inner alarms are sure to go off. I love the subtle details added in that offer insight to the characters’ personalities, Ryan’s email offers some understanding of her mindset when accepting Walter’s invitation. Also shoutout to the Tiny Onion Studios easter eggs, be sure to pick up your copies of Razorblades! Walter’s stark introduction page when meeting the other characters is possibly my favorite page of the book. Everyone’s gaze on him as he speaks up from behind them catching them off guard, the colors brushed over his background, his name stark against the background contrasting everyone else after having had some info provided, and the use of negative space in the last panel for his glasses is just all so terrific.
I love this book and I’m sure the series is going to be a blast to read. I’m so excited to add this to my pull list and seeing all these amazing horror titles produced is such a joy.
Art by: Álvaro Martínez Bueno
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by: Andworld Design
Publisher: DC Comics
The creative team behind The Nice House on the Lake is one I’ve come to trust wholly, so I did my best to come into this series with as little knowledge as possible. Though it was a pain to fight off my curiosity, it was completely worth it! If you’ve yet to hear about this title, love suspenseful books, vivid and gorgeous imagery, an engrossing plot then close this out and pick this issue up!
The story follows a group of people connected by Walter, an odd fellow, but seemingly kind as he’s invited everyone to a beautiful (and I mean BEAUTIFUL) house in the woods. And while there are some strange arrangements Walter has put together, everything appears seemingly harmless. Tynion IV has weaved quite the story and this first issue gives readers just enough clues into its future that it’s impossible to resist the draw of picking up issue two. I love the way these characters are presented; histories, relationships, and personalities alluded to by their way of speech and partnered with Bueno’s designs we gain so much information. There’s a scene between Norah and Veronica that comes to mind where the whole team is just on point. Pauses inferred by the split speech bubbles and one word replies and the cigarette hanging from Norah’s mouth in a dispirited manner offer much to their history. The book benefits from rereads, to pick up on subtle imagery, I hadn’t noticed a smaller panel with Norah hidden in Veronica’s introductory panel through my first read through and I’m hoping to see if there are any more clues sprinkled in those first pages.
Gosh the art here is fantastic. The bright, warm colors of the first pages seem inviting, but have a blaring aspect to them and when the panels zoom into Walter’s glasses, the reader’s inner alarms are sure to go off. I love the subtle details added in that offer insight to the characters’ personalities, Ryan’s email offers some understanding of her mindset when accepting Walter’s invitation. Also shoutout to the Tiny Onion Studios easter eggs, be sure to pick up your copies of Razorblades! Walter’s stark introduction page when meeting the other characters is possibly my favorite page of the book. Everyone’s gaze on him as he speaks up from behind them catching them off guard, the colors brushed over his background, his name stark against the background contrasting everyone else after having had some info provided, and the use of negative space in the last panel for his glasses is just all so terrific.
I love this book and I’m sure the series is going to be a blast to read. I’m so excited to add this to my pull list and seeing all these amazing horror titles produced is such a joy.
A Look Inside
