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Houses of the Unholy
An FBI agent from the cult crime beat and a woman with a past linked to the Satanic Panic are drawn into a terrifying hunt for an insane killer hiding in the shadows of the underworld. Can you ever escape your past, or are all your bad decisions just more ghosts to haunt you, wherever you go?
HOUSES OF THE UNHOLY is a riveting horror thrill ride from bestselling creators ED BRUBAKER and SEAN PHILLIPS, the award-winning team behind CRIMINAL (soon to be a TV series on Amazon Prime), RECKLESS, NIGHT FEVER, and WHERE THE BODY WAS.
HOUSES OF THE UNHOLY is a riveting horror thrill ride from bestselling creators ED BRUBAKER and SEAN PHILLIPS, the award-winning team behind CRIMINAL (soon to be a TV series on Amazon Prime), RECKLESS, NIGHT FEVER, and WHERE THE BODY WAS.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published August 14, 2024
33 people are currently reading
1522 people want to read
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,798 books3,028 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews
October 28, 2024
The Satanic Panic!
Aw man, I really wanted to like this more than I actually did.
Because I love the premise.
The Satanic Panic is one of those curious moments in history where we wonder how in the world so many people could have fallen for that nonsense. But having lived through the 80s as a kid in an evangelical household, I can tell you truthfully that the adults were terrified. And those of us young enough to still be influenced by those adults were confused and scared, as well.
Ah, the good old days when Geraldo Rivera was reporting on free-range Satanists who were supposedly roaming around raping and eating children or some other equally bananas conspiracies.
Bless his heart.
Brubaker and Phillips take us on a journey that is part crime, part horror, and increasingly realistic in the portrayal of the insanity then and now.
The story follows a woman who was one of the children groomed to accuse adults of ritualistic abuse. It flashes backward and forward in time to show how the guilt and infamy that followed her ruined her life and set her on a path toward the seemingly unavoidable conclusion.
The undertone of false memories that still seem real to her gave the story a wicked edge that helped walk the line into the maybe supernatural.
I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that I found the ending extremely flat.
In fact, it was so unsatisfying, that I immediately started searching to see if there would be more to this story. But if they're planning to continue, I can't find it.
Still.
The concept and execution right up till the end were good enough that I'd recommend it to anyone who is thinking about grabbing it.
Recommended for fans of backward masking.
Aw man, I really wanted to like this more than I actually did.
Because I love the premise.
The Satanic Panic is one of those curious moments in history where we wonder how in the world so many people could have fallen for that nonsense. But having lived through the 80s as a kid in an evangelical household, I can tell you truthfully that the adults were terrified. And those of us young enough to still be influenced by those adults were confused and scared, as well.
Ah, the good old days when Geraldo Rivera was reporting on free-range Satanists who were supposedly roaming around raping and eating children or some other equally bananas conspiracies.
Bless his heart.
Brubaker and Phillips take us on a journey that is part crime, part horror, and increasingly realistic in the portrayal of the insanity then and now.
The story follows a woman who was one of the children groomed to accuse adults of ritualistic abuse. It flashes backward and forward in time to show how the guilt and infamy that followed her ruined her life and set her on a path toward the seemingly unavoidable conclusion.
The undertone of false memories that still seem real to her gave the story a wicked edge that helped walk the line into the maybe supernatural.
I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that I found the ending extremely flat.
In fact, it was so unsatisfying, that I immediately started searching to see if there would be more to this story. But if they're planning to continue, I can't find it.
Still.
The concept and execution right up till the end were good enough that I'd recommend it to anyone who is thinking about grabbing it.
Recommended for fans of backward masking.
May 13, 2024
First I would like to thank Image Comics for allowing me early access to this book.
I've said it before, but I'm a huge fan of the Brubaker - Phillips team, and this new standalone confirms it.
Here they operate in a new setting, 80's horror. The story is centered around the satanic panic and conspiracy theories in general.
I found the tone and the art style particularly adapted to this subject.
I also found here all I love about their previous work, the tragic characters, the gritty world, the twists and turns of the story, the almost open ending.
It was a short but great read and I definitely would recommend.
I've said it before, but I'm a huge fan of the Brubaker - Phillips team, and this new standalone confirms it.
Here they operate in a new setting, 80's horror. The story is centered around the satanic panic and conspiracy theories in general.
I found the tone and the art style particularly adapted to this subject.
I also found here all I love about their previous work, the tragic characters, the gritty world, the twists and turns of the story, the almost open ending.
It was a short but great read and I definitely would recommend.
August 1, 2024
This was decent and the art was PERFECT but I just wanted MORE.
In the Satanic Panic era, a woman goes on the run with an FBI agent, but her past is catching up fast.
The story is short - too short. There's so much in this that I wanted to explore further and in more detail but there just wasn't time. This was fast-paced and chose action over exposition. Not a bad thing, as it keeps things interesting and dynamic, but I loved the story of it so much and I wanted to really lose myself in it.
This era of history fascinates me, so it was cool to get a story set amongst it all. The protagonist is a badass but she's not without her issues. I liked the team up of her and the cop, too - they worked well together. Some of the other characters were easy to loathe, but they also raised some interesting points amongst their villainy, so it was beautifully muddied waters. Plenty to think about, and a hint as to why the Satanic Panic took off like it did.
The artwork is just incredible - such a great use of colour, in particular, which is something I really like from this duo. The art always complements the story well, and that was no different here.
Another hit from Brubaker and Phillips - I'll definitely be sussing the hardcover in person when it releases!
With thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC
In the Satanic Panic era, a woman goes on the run with an FBI agent, but her past is catching up fast.
The story is short - too short. There's so much in this that I wanted to explore further and in more detail but there just wasn't time. This was fast-paced and chose action over exposition. Not a bad thing, as it keeps things interesting and dynamic, but I loved the story of it so much and I wanted to really lose myself in it.
This era of history fascinates me, so it was cool to get a story set amongst it all. The protagonist is a badass but she's not without her issues. I liked the team up of her and the cop, too - they worked well together. Some of the other characters were easy to loathe, but they also raised some interesting points amongst their villainy, so it was beautifully muddied waters. Plenty to think about, and a hint as to why the Satanic Panic took off like it did.
The artwork is just incredible - such a great use of colour, in particular, which is something I really like from this duo. The art always complements the story well, and that was no different here.
Another hit from Brubaker and Phillips - I'll definitely be sussing the hardcover in person when it releases!
With thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC
October 10, 2024
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are well known for their dark, gritty graphic novels, but "Houses of the Unholy", their latest, is dark.
The protagonist is an investigator who teams up with a rogue FBI agent looking for a serial killer who is killing off a group called "the Satanic Six", six children who, in the 80s, accused their daycare of torturing, molesting, and eating babies in a Satanic ritual held in a nearby cave. This was during the Satanic Panic, when parents and psychiatrists and police officers believed whatever these little kids were saying, despite a glaring lack of evidence.
Brubaker/Phillips dare to ask the question: What if the Satanic Panic never stopped? What if, thanks to the Internet and social media, it has morphed with all the nutjob Q-Anon conspiracy theories out there into something out-of-control?
It's the End of the World. So sayeth Facebook...
The protagonist is an investigator who teams up with a rogue FBI agent looking for a serial killer who is killing off a group called "the Satanic Six", six children who, in the 80s, accused their daycare of torturing, molesting, and eating babies in a Satanic ritual held in a nearby cave. This was during the Satanic Panic, when parents and psychiatrists and police officers believed whatever these little kids were saying, despite a glaring lack of evidence.
Brubaker/Phillips dare to ask the question: What if the Satanic Panic never stopped? What if, thanks to the Internet and social media, it has morphed with all the nutjob Q-Anon conspiracy theories out there into something out-of-control?
It's the End of the World. So sayeth Facebook...
September 18, 2024
I'm a huge fan of the Brubaker/Phillips collaborations, but this wasn't among their best. HOUSES OF THE UNHOLY is a noir-ish spin on Satanic-panic that doesn't really go anywhere, or should I say, doesn't go anywhere unexpected. The same can be said about ALL of Brubaker's work. The characters and plots are excellent, but he never takes you anywhere new and daring, and the stories always come out pretty much the way you expect they will. This one just fell flatter than most for me, because if you're doing Horror, I expect a horror ending. This was more like a modern-day spin on RACE WITH THE DEVIL, with a much less satisfying climax.
July 30, 2024
Brubaker and Phillips latest collaboration. Perhaps the most successful duo in modern comics? Although I haven't loved their last few books, it's always a must read for me.
This one follows a woman who as a kid was part of the Satanic Panic. When she was 7 she testified that she and a few peers had suffered from Satanic ritual abuse. Obviously just a bunch of hooey, but they were believed! It's wild, but it's based on true stories. (This is my first issue with the book - I feel like I had read all the flashback scenes before. I used to read Brubaker's newsletter so perhaps I read a few of the same news articles he read in researching this book).
I liked the present-day story line. It's classic Brubaker with lots of twists and turns.
I was really hoping the end would Instead it's kind of bland.
Feels like by-the-numbers Brubaker. I really need to be less of a completionist.
This one follows a woman who as a kid was part of the Satanic Panic. When she was 7 she testified that she and a few peers had suffered from Satanic ritual abuse. Obviously just a bunch of hooey, but they were believed! It's wild, but it's based on true stories. (This is my first issue with the book - I feel like I had read all the flashback scenes before. I used to read Brubaker's newsletter so perhaps I read a few of the same news articles he read in researching this book).
I liked the present-day story line. It's classic Brubaker with lots of twists and turns.
I was really hoping the end would Instead it's kind of bland.
Feels like by-the-numbers Brubaker. I really need to be less of a completionist.
October 5, 2024
I liked the premise of a woman who was a childhood false accuser during the Satanic panic of the 1980s coming to terms with her past by way of a murder mystery. I even felt genuine suspense throughout despite the story playing out in a predictable manner. I only wish the ending had taken a different direction; it just didn't work for me.
For what came before though, I'm still willing to give the book a mild thumbs up.
For what came before though, I'm still willing to give the book a mild thumbs up.
August 19, 2024
Ed Brubaker?
Phillips?
Cult devil worshipers? SIGN ME UP!
This is a dark tale of devil worshipping stories that went around A LOT in the 80's and 90s. And this is years later where a woman is reflecting back on those events as a child which lead to a current day mystery and murdering spree. Really enjoyed the characters, pacing, and even story even if the end kind of went off the walls and I didn't fully get it. Overall another knockout from the Brubaker as he always has such well done character and dialogue.
Phillips?
Cult devil worshipers? SIGN ME UP!
This is a dark tale of devil worshipping stories that went around A LOT in the 80's and 90s. And this is years later where a woman is reflecting back on those events as a child which lead to a current day mystery and murdering spree. Really enjoyed the characters, pacing, and even story even if the end kind of went off the walls and I didn't fully get it. Overall another knockout from the Brubaker as he always has such well done character and dialogue.
May 17, 2024
The artwork in this graphic novel reminds me of vintage crime comic books. Comparing the art style with the storyline of this tale, they fit together nicely bringing you, the reader, an interesting reading experience.
Natalie Burns and five other children made claims of being forced to engage in satanic rituals by counselors. This was during the Satanic Panic of the 80's, so her name along with the rest became front page news. The problem was that the whole thing was fake, and it haunted her to the present day, where this story takes place.
Natalie is picked up by the FBI to participate in an investigation into the deaths some of the other children involved in the Satanic Six, leading into a micro-adventure that explores more of Natalie's past.
I can't tell if there will be a sequel to this, possibly not, but the quick pace of the story was good with moderate text throughout. The comic was easy to read, although the story progression was too predictable. Nonetheless, a great comic book for horror fans. I recommend this comic and the authors / artists involved who created it.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Image Comics for providing this comic in exchange for an honest review.
Natalie Burns and five other children made claims of being forced to engage in satanic rituals by counselors. This was during the Satanic Panic of the 80's, so her name along with the rest became front page news. The problem was that the whole thing was fake, and it haunted her to the present day, where this story takes place.
Natalie is picked up by the FBI to participate in an investigation into the deaths some of the other children involved in the Satanic Six, leading into a micro-adventure that explores more of Natalie's past.
I can't tell if there will be a sequel to this, possibly not, but the quick pace of the story was good with moderate text throughout. The comic was easy to read, although the story progression was too predictable. Nonetheless, a great comic book for horror fans. I recommend this comic and the authors / artists involved who created it.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Image Comics for providing this comic in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2024
This atmospheric tale finds the team of Brubaker & Phillips examining childhood and religious trauma in the 1980s Satanic Panic and how that has impacted the life of our main character Natalie as an adult. Someone is killing people who were coerced into testifying about their counselors subjecting them to Satanic rituals as kids. Natalie is drawn back in by an FBI agent with demons of his own to track the killer.
This book has the usual dark and gritty atmosphere and dialog that's expected of Brubaker and Phillips. The art and coloring is top notch as usual. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and could've wrapped up loose ends a little better. Still a quality read and highly recommended! My thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
This book has the usual dark and gritty atmosphere and dialog that's expected of Brubaker and Phillips. The art and coloring is top notch as usual. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and could've wrapped up loose ends a little better. Still a quality read and highly recommended! My thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
February 15, 2025
TW/CW: Language, use of c-word, weed, bullying, toxic family relationships, death of parent, nudity, panic attack, anxiety, loss of family, blood, sex, gore
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
An FBI agent from the cult crime beat and a woman with a past linked to the Satanic Panic are drawn into a terrifying hunt for an insane killer hiding in the shadows of the underworld. Can you ever escape your past, or are all your bad decisions just more ghosts to haunt you, wherever you go?
Release Date: August 14th, 2024
Genre: Horror
Pages: 144
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Love the art
2. Banter between characters
3. Story flowed
4. Didn't chapters having titles from history/bands/books
What I Didn't Like:
1. Weird added in sex scene
2. Plot holes or unexpected things
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
Love that it used the Say You Love Satan Book cover by David St. Clair. Nice touch there.
Each chapter back is a play on something Satan. One chapter is the myth behind Kiss' name; kids in Satan's service.
That was weird. Fake Kim bites her lip to take blood. She then disappears upstairs. Moments later the agent shows up and there's no one in the house and he's able to get loose conveniently not able to call in the murders of the real Kim because he's on suspension. I don't know man do I even trust this agent? And then they're going to hit the road again. Guess I just don't understand how he got loose and what happened to the fake Kim. Oh and he has like a tattoo now on his chest.
Cool now a very very random sex scene that adds nothing to what's happening.
Why should Natalie have known that Blake wasn't dead because he was identified by his Dental records? Is this not going to get explained? I don't get it did he not have real teeth? Just leave with hanging on this line.
Kind of knew something was off about the agent and then her brother acting like he didn't know anything.
Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The artwork was spectacular and I felt like the story really flowed keeping you invested. It did fall more on the predictable side of things though so I wasn't really surprised when Blake or the agent was a part of everything going on. There were just some plot holes that I felt didn't really explain what was happening or went nowhere.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Image Comics for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
An FBI agent from the cult crime beat and a woman with a past linked to the Satanic Panic are drawn into a terrifying hunt for an insane killer hiding in the shadows of the underworld. Can you ever escape your past, or are all your bad decisions just more ghosts to haunt you, wherever you go?
Release Date: August 14th, 2024
Genre: Horror
Pages: 144
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Love the art
2. Banter between characters
3. Story flowed
4. Didn't chapters having titles from history/bands/books
What I Didn't Like:
1. Weird added in sex scene
2. Plot holes or unexpected things
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
Love that it used the Say You Love Satan Book cover by David St. Clair. Nice touch there.
Each chapter back is a play on something Satan. One chapter is the myth behind Kiss' name; kids in Satan's service.
That was weird. Fake Kim bites her lip to take blood. She then disappears upstairs. Moments later the agent shows up and there's no one in the house and he's able to get loose conveniently not able to call in the murders of the real Kim because he's on suspension. I don't know man do I even trust this agent? And then they're going to hit the road again. Guess I just don't understand how he got loose and what happened to the fake Kim. Oh and he has like a tattoo now on his chest.
Cool now a very very random sex scene that adds nothing to what's happening.
Why should Natalie have known that Blake wasn't dead because he was identified by his Dental records? Is this not going to get explained? I don't get it did he not have real teeth? Just leave with hanging on this line.
Kind of knew something was off about the agent and then her brother acting like he didn't know anything.
Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The artwork was spectacular and I felt like the story really flowed keeping you invested. It did fall more on the predictable side of things though so I wasn't really surprised when Blake or the agent was a part of everything going on. There were just some plot holes that I felt didn't really explain what was happening or went nowhere.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Image Comics for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 2, 2025
Great artwork, but I just didn’t engage with the story.
I think it’s a standalone, but leaves things SO open ended. Really, there are no more answers or clarity at the end than there was at the beginning. So while I appreciated the effort put into the graphic novel, it still kind of felt like a waste of time to read for the let down of a conclusion.
I think it’s a standalone, but leaves things SO open ended. Really, there are no more answers or clarity at the end than there was at the beginning. So while I appreciated the effort put into the graphic novel, it still kind of felt like a waste of time to read for the let down of a conclusion.
November 5, 2024
3.5
I kind of do love saying "Satanic Panic".
This one is a smart story based around the 80s obsession with all things Satanic.
It didn't quite hit all the right notes..and the ending feels like they ran out of page count..but it's still worth a read.
Bringing up questions about implanted memories and the Media frenzy over such stories.
I kind of do love saying "Satanic Panic".
This one is a smart story based around the 80s obsession with all things Satanic.
It didn't quite hit all the right notes..and the ending feels like they ran out of page count..but it's still worth a read.
Bringing up questions about implanted memories and the Media frenzy over such stories.
November 1, 2024
I love Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips as a comic team, but I just wish this graphic novel was a chapter or two longer. All the same, a good noir comic about the Satanic Panic and a fantastic Halloween read.
October 6, 2024
If it remains above average for the genre, this book falls into the middle range of what we generally expect from the Brubaker-Phillips duo.
The plot is solid and the main character very well developed.
But...
As solid as it is, the plot is very formulaic and the twists predictable. The ending is certainly rather dark but also surprisingly very anti-climactic - especially after a deus-ex-machina that was frankly disappointing.
In short, all Brubaker/Phillips fans can enjoy this good, but not brilliant, read. For the others, I'd recommend starting with a title more representative of the high level of quality they've delivered over the years.
The plot is solid and the main character very well developed.
But...
As solid as it is, the plot is very formulaic and the twists predictable. The ending is certainly rather dark but also surprisingly very anti-climactic - especially after a deus-ex-machina that was frankly disappointing.
In short, all Brubaker/Phillips fans can enjoy this good, but not brilliant, read. For the others, I'd recommend starting with a title more representative of the high level of quality they've delivered over the years.
April 20, 2025
Dos o tres veces al año nos llegan las historias criminales de Brubaker y Phillips, con sus pequeñas variaciones sobre los estereotipos para que, incluso cuando se quedan cerca de ellos (como es el caso), no sientas estar leyendo lo mismo de siempre. En este caso se meten de lleno en el tema del fundamentalismo religioso con un relato sobre infancias destrozadas y las consecuencias a varios niveles.
August 19, 2024
Brubaker and Phillips do it again. Great work on characters that you seem to know already when meeting them right away in a world that feels very much like one that existed in our own world. This one was very creepy and thrilling and had me eager to turn each page and continue with the story. These books read as if they’re true stories of crime and violence. I’m not saying this duo is perfect at telling stories, but if they aren’t, they’re pretty dang close.
August 28, 2024
Another tight graphic novel from the legendary Duo, which has turned into a trifecta with the addition of Jackob Phillips. This one has all the Satanic Panic highlights you would expect and was reasonably well sourced from a few of the stories in rotation of this strange time in American history.
I enjoyed the pace of this one and was soon ripping the pages as things began to get tense. Not a fan of that ending though...
This one definitely feels like a typical book from these guys by this point but won't be leaving fans dissatisfied by any means. I've been enjoying these one and done stories over the last few years, but I would love to see these guys cook up a long running series when they are rdy
I enjoyed the pace of this one and was soon ripping the pages as things began to get tense. Not a fan of that ending though...
This one definitely feels like a typical book from these guys by this point but won't be leaving fans dissatisfied by any means. I've been enjoying these one and done stories over the last few years, but I would love to see these guys cook up a long running series when they are rdy
June 10, 2025
Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips is packed with everything you’d expect from this creative duo—moody atmosphere, tight pacing, and that signature noir grit, this time with a Southern Gothic twist. The concept is strong, the setup is compelling, and Phillips’ art delivers the bleak tone perfectly.
That said, the story didn’t fully land for me. It felt a bit rushed, and while the tension builds nicely, the emotional payoff and ending fell flat. It has all the right pieces, but it doesn’t hit quite as hard as their best work like Criminal or The Fade Out. Still, a solid read with plenty to appreciate—just not as memorable or impactful as I was hoping. 3 stars.
That said, the story didn’t fully land for me. It felt a bit rushed, and while the tension builds nicely, the emotional payoff and ending fell flat. It has all the right pieces, but it doesn’t hit quite as hard as their best work like Criminal or The Fade Out. Still, a solid read with plenty to appreciate—just not as memorable or impactful as I was hoping. 3 stars.
September 27, 2024
Chilling modern noir thriller that brings a fresh angle to the 80s hysteria about satanic cults and teenagers.
It's hard to describe the feelings of the time properly, since we didn't record and photograph our lives. Mostly we look back using footage from the mainstream media. This story gives a human face to the strangeness of the times.
The story stands alone with the same brilliant writing and art you expect from Ed Brubaker
& Sean Phillips. This one is particularly chilling. It explores many topics and eras. It is actually better when you read it twice.
It's hard to describe the feelings of the time properly, since we didn't record and photograph our lives. Mostly we look back using footage from the mainstream media. This story gives a human face to the strangeness of the times.
The story stands alone with the same brilliant writing and art you expect from Ed Brubaker
& Sean Phillips. This one is particularly chilling. It explores many topics and eras. It is actually better when you read it twice.
July 27, 2024
Yawn.
I was so excited for this read, I wanted to sink my teeth into some horror that would actually scare and creep me out. The cover was so promising, the stylization of the artwork was great, the "beats" of the slowly bleeding pentagram were effective, but the only mildly creepy panel was a guy standing behind a tree. I wouldn't class this as a horror at all, genuinely more thriller + historical fiction than anything.
The story starts out intriguing, I know nothing of the Satanic Panic situation so was interested to learn about it, but the writing is weak, the "twists" so disappointingly predictable, and the motivations of the mc vague. You want me to believe she was so dumb about literally everything happening because of... weed? Fuck outta here.
Boring, bye
I was so excited for this read, I wanted to sink my teeth into some horror that would actually scare and creep me out. The cover was so promising, the stylization of the artwork was great, the "beats" of the slowly bleeding pentagram were effective, but the only mildly creepy panel was a guy standing behind a tree. I wouldn't class this as a horror at all, genuinely more thriller + historical fiction than anything.
The story starts out intriguing, I know nothing of the Satanic Panic situation so was interested to learn about it, but the writing is weak, the "twists" so disappointingly predictable, and the motivations of the mc vague. You want me to believe she was so dumb about literally everything happening because of... weed? Fuck outta here.
Boring, bye
August 25, 2024
Firstly, a thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
5 out of 5 stars.
Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips is a horror / mystery / thriller in graphic novel form about the eighties 'Satanic Panic' era of cults and the Devil and his followers. A one of the Satanic Six our main character finds out others of the six are dying and investigates further.
Can I just say that I haven't read a graphic novel this good in a long time, even with the back and forth I experienced I found myself really enjoying this novel and I struggled to put it down.
I would recommend this to all my followers and horror loving friends.
Fantastic.
5 out of 5 stars.
Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips is a horror / mystery / thriller in graphic novel form about the eighties 'Satanic Panic' era of cults and the Devil and his followers. A one of the Satanic Six our main character finds out others of the six are dying and investigates further.
Can I just say that I haven't read a graphic novel this good in a long time, even with the back and forth I experienced I found myself really enjoying this novel and I struggled to put it down.
I would recommend this to all my followers and horror loving friends.
Fantastic.
September 16, 2024
From the last few 'one shots' of this well known creative duo this one is most disappointing. Theme of satanic panic had great potential, but Houses of Unholy felt unfinished and some character's actions didn't make any sense. Phillip's art is cool as always, but it looks like something they started doing and at one point just wanted to be done with...
May 15, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the early access to this book! This was my first graphic novel and I loved it! I was hooked into the story from the start. My only wish is that it was longer! I feel like a lot was left unsaid, hopefully there's more parts to this.
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May 12, 2024Brubaker & Phillips take on the Satanic Panic, which seems to be the subject of a wider re-examination lately, and therein lies part of the problem: it may be on hiatus at the moment, but in Department Of Truth there's already a current Image comic where the lead is one of the kids told they were a victim of ritual abuse in the eighties, subsequently realising they were in fact both a victim and vector of a popular delusion, and now placed in a situation where they don't know what to believe. The set-up here is, unsurprisingly, a much simpler take on the situation, the protagonist one of six kids from a particularly high-profile case who, as adults, are now turning up dead in suspicious - and apparently Satanic - situations. Which, yes, is a hook - and I like the observation about how there were indeed religious organisations doing all those things to kids, except it was the Christians not the devil-worshippers (parallels with similar current panics, and how a lot more noisy right-wingers than drag queens turn out to be nonces, are perhaps wisely left implicit). But it's all very close to territory Brubaker/Phillips have covered before - in Fatale, Kill Or Be Killed, a volume of Reckless - and, especially compared to last year's winning Where The Body Was, a reminder that I always like them more when they operate a little outside their comfort zone. And whereas normally I can at least respect their mastery within that zone, here it occasionally feels like it's slipping; around the halfway point, a kiss that needs to convey a lot instead feels inert and posed, and then hot on its heels we get one of the least surprising twists in history.
(Netgalley ARC)
(Netgalley ARC)
September 28, 2025
I enjoyed Houses of the Unholy as a reading experience at least as much as Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ last collaboration, Where the Body Was, but ultimately felt that this project didn’t come together quite as successfully by the end. I was unconvinced by several characters - worrisome in a cast this small - and unimpressed by the third act climax.
Jacob Phillips’ colouring is striking and works impressively well with the vintage-comic art style, especially as a means of visual demarcation (separating the present timeline from flashback scenes), and Houses of the Unholy is still a pacey, satisfying read. It will work particularly well for you if, like me, you’re fascinated by the Satanic Panic of the 1980s.
The tight, at times even predictable plotting means that nothing much is left open-ended or up for interpretation in this one, but in a story that’s over this fast, I think I prefer that to too many loose ends.
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jacob Phillips’ colouring is striking and works impressively well with the vintage-comic art style, especially as a means of visual demarcation (separating the present timeline from flashback scenes), and Houses of the Unholy is still a pacey, satisfying read. It will work particularly well for you if, like me, you’re fascinated by the Satanic Panic of the 1980s.
The tight, at times even predictable plotting means that nothing much is left open-ended or up for interpretation in this one, but in a story that’s over this fast, I think I prefer that to too many loose ends.
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2024
I enjoyed the build up of this story in the way it used the real life fear of "Satanism" that actually happened back in the 70s and 80s, but something about this didn't really click for me.
I like that the protagonist is a woman who made accusations as a child that continues to haunt her and I liked that Brubaker links the "Satanic Panic" with the kind of people who believe insane conspiracy theories today.
I found the ending a let down, it was building up too something but it never quite got there for me.
Sean Phillips' art is fantastic as usual, as well as Jacob Phillips' colours.
I like that the protagonist is a woman who made accusations as a child that continues to haunt her and I liked that Brubaker links the "Satanic Panic" with the kind of people who believe insane conspiracy theories today.
I found the ending a let down, it was building up too something but it never quite got there for me.
Sean Phillips' art is fantastic as usual, as well as Jacob Phillips' colours.
July 12, 2024
This was actually pretty good, but I gave it 3 Stars because I felt it was a bit rushed. I would have loved to have more detail as the plot was very interesting. I didn't realize this was a graphic novel but enjoyed it and felt like it was a quick read for me. I would still read a second installment in hopes of more content!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips & Image Comics for this ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips & Image Comics for this ARC!
November 27, 2024
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker is a good horror crime mystery graphic novel from a favorite author. It's the first time I've read Brubaker in a little while and for the most part it was good to be back in one of his twisted worlds. I really loved it right up until the very ending which was disappointing. It made me hope that there would be more in the future, but it doesn't look like that's the case.
Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker is a good horror crime mystery graphic novel from a favorite author. It's the first time I've read Brubaker in a little while and for the most part it was good to be back in one of his twisted worlds. I really loved it right up until the very ending which was disappointing. It made me hope that there would be more in the future, but it doesn't look like that's the case.
September 14, 2024
Another solid story for the best duo in the comics industry.
It has an interesting premise revolving around the 80s satanic panic and perfect art, as always.
The only thing that bugged me was that it was easily predictable, and the main character fell for every single trap. Like how did she manage to survive as a PI up until now?!
It has an interesting premise revolving around the 80s satanic panic and perfect art, as always.
The only thing that bugged me was that it was easily predictable, and the main character fell for every single trap. Like how did she manage to survive as a PI up until now?!
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