‘The Nice House On The Lake Vol. 1’ (review)

Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Álvaro Martínez Bueno
Published by DC Comics Black Label

Creating a horror comic series is no easy feat. You can go with over-the-top gore and violence, but that can be aesthetically ugly and juvenile. You can go mysterious, but that can turn into cold and withholding to the reader. James Tynion IV and artist Alvario Martinez Bueno’s first volume of The Nice House On The Lake traffics in heavily sinister vibes.

Walter gathers ten friends that he has gotten to know over the years. The setting is a beautiful lake house. But Walter’s motives are far from noble. This get together is far more sinister than any one of them could have imagined.

Walter is not human.

This gathering is occurring as the human race is being eradicated, and these ten people are the only survivors. Their friends and family are gone. Now they have to survive and figure out what is motivating their former friend, Walter.

James Tynion IV has crafted a story that is unsettling and full of suspense. It borrows from Lost and The Twilight Zone, while adding additional Post 2020 Apocalyptic Fever to the whole mix.

Yet it tells a unique story of its own.

After an opening chapter that reveals a lot, later chapters slow down to get to know the various characters. The worst thing I could say is that not all the characters are interesting. While juggling nearly a dozen characters, some just get lost in the mix.

Alvaro Martinez Bueno art gives us a real sense of place. This house is scary yet beautiful. Every scene is full of discomfort. The angles, the shadows, the point of view all combine to leave the reader unsettled.

The reveal of Walter’s true face is something that could only be done on the page to such effect.

The Nice House On The Lake is a creepy read that I would readily recommend.