Broken Frontier

Writer Matthew Sturges weaves quite a few threads into the tapestry of the latest storyline in the House of Mystery series. Fig has taken over the management of the tavern and besides dealing with the homicidally psychotic Cain, her life is turned upside down by the arrival of Strawberry, a man claiming to be her brother. She has no memory of his existence, but his aggressive personality causes turmoil in the House. Meanwhile, Tursig the homosexual goblin undergoes an identity crisis, and Algernon Wells, psychic detective, reports to some specters of the happenings at the House.

The story within the story is recounted by Strawberry, but also involves Fig. As children, they visited the Cloud Kingdom, and Strawberry's irascible nature got him abandoned by Fig and sentenced to ten years in prison in the Kingdom. This sequence, capably drawn by Farel Dalrymple, had an Alice in Wonderland feel to it, a silly fantasy gone horribly wrong.

My early impression of the House of Mystery title, from the first couple of issues, was that it was a strong premise, but lacked in interesting characters. Unfortunately, twenty issues later, I still find that to be the case. The plot of the story seems designed to shock, but the characters don't invoke the sympathy of the reader. Sturges loads a great deal of drama in the issue, ostensibly mature themes of homosexuality, emotional needs, and even incest, but it's difficult to care when the characters don't grab you. Cain is the only character who consistently delivers, and his role is not central to the story. Fig, the main character in the vehicle, alternates between strong and weak too much to be believable.

Luca Rossi's artwork remains the highlight of the series with a pleasing style consistent with the Vertigo line. Not over-rendered and with nice moody darks expertly inked as usual by Jose Marzan, Jr. Not enough credit is given to Vertigo in my estimation for their accessibility to the comics novice. Straightforward but hardly boring storytelling typifies their roster of artists and Rossi is no exception.

I wanted very much to like House of Mystery. From the start the concept had enormous potential, but this second try ended up very much like the first. I have enjoyed Sturges' work on Jack of Fables and in other places, but the lack of a compelling protagonist left me largely dissatisfied.