House of Mystery Annual #2
Published by DC/Vertigo
Cover art by Esad Andrews
Although I’m almost totally unfamiliar with Vertigo’s House of Mystery series, I have to admit that its extra-sized Halloween-themed Annual, House of Mystery Annual #2, provides a solid romp. The issue follows four youngsters, cursed by a witch to trick or treat for the rest of their lives. Consequently, the quartet enter the House of Mystery, before meeting characters from several other Vertigo series in what’s effectively a Vertigo sampler.
House of Mystery (the lead story)
Written by Matthew Sturges
Penciled by Luca Rossi
Inked by Jose Marzán, Jr.
Colored by Lee Loughridge
Lettered by Todd Klein
While Cain and the trick or treater who’s been transformed into a demon debate what constitutes a trick and what is actually criminal, the other three cursees reveal their history and hope for a way to end their curse. It’s clever and fun, and well drawn.
Madame Xanadu
Written by Matt Wagner
Illustrated by Brandon Graham
Lettered by Jared K. Fletcher
The quartet then travel on to Madame Xanadu’s house, where each finds a room that grants them their greatest wish. This short tale is essentially a showcase for Brandon Graham’s art; Wagner’s script is very dark and doesn’t have enough room to do justice to the narration. It’s almost like reading a laundry list of stereotypically evil things that happen to kids. But it looks whimsically pretty.
Hellblazer
Written by Peter Milligan
Laid out by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Finished art by Stefano Landini
Colored by Trish Mulvihill
Lettered by Sal Cipriano
The kids are mostly off-stage here, as Milligan chooses to explore an John Constantine encounter with chance and coincidence, while also reflecting John’s current emotional state following a failed romance (something I assume regular Hellblazer readers can appreciate far better than I).
iZombie
Written by Chris Roberson
Illustrated by Mike Allred
Colored by Laura Allred
Lettered by Klein
A tale of Gwen’s early life, before becoming a zombie, as the trick or treaters play a prank on Gwen and some friends. This story is offbeat and humorous, and a nice tease for the iZombie series.
Infernal Bargains
Written by Mike Carey
Illustrated by Peter Gross
Colored by Daniel Vozzo
Lettered by Fletcher
Is this a new series? A reference to Carey and Gross’s Lucifer series? I’m not sure. It’s also the chapter I found the least engaging, as our ostensible heroes find themselves in Hell during a war and try to escape with the help of a demon. But it never really adds up to anything.
November 9th, 2010 at 11:33 am
The last story takes place towards the tale end of Lucifer. I loved it, but that probably is because I knew the context, and have a soft spot for Gaudium and his sister, who were the comic relief for much of the Lucifer series.
November 9th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Ahh…
Thanks, Matt. I guessed it was related to Lucifer, but without having read the series, the sequence was hopelessly jarring and full of conflicts and characters lacking any meaning for me.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, anyway.