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House of Mystery (collected editions)
House of Mystery, Volume 3: The Space Between
Matthew Sturges, writer of the Eisner-nominated Jack of Fables, and co-writer Bill Willingham, the creator of Fables, continue unlocking the doors to the House of Mystery, the graphic novel series that reinvents the classic DC Comics concept. This newest volume features Sex, suspicions and treachery as the characters trapped in a supernatural bar inch finally discover how and why they're imprisoned there. Featuring back-up stories illustrated by today's top talent including Jim Fern (Crossing Midnight), Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets) David Hahn (Fables), Eric Powell (The Goon) and many more!
Collecting: House of Mystery 11-15
Collecting: House of Mystery 11-15
128 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 18, 2015
I really started loving this by 13, so now I'm a fan of the series. The complications and the revelations are spot-on, too, shortly afterwards.
The stories are getting much more interesting. I still don't know how it all ties together, but that's certainly a lot better than having seen it all before. :)
And Cain! Yup. Always liked Cain.
The stories are getting much more interesting. I still don't know how it all ties together, but that's certainly a lot better than having seen it all before. :)
And Cain! Yup. Always liked Cain.
December 4, 2013
This was a thin book, both in terms of size and development. It didn't help that I didn't remember much from the last installment, so I felt like I was playing catch-up. I do look forward to being able to go back and read the series through, once it's completed.
In the past I never minded the vignettes. I felt they added character and personality to a sort of standard story. And some of them were rather lush, in either fantasy or horror.
This installment didn't have much horror, which is ok, but I also felt, for the first time, that the side stories were more filler - detracting from the story instead of adding to it. True, we still do get little snippets of character information through them, but I felt very removed from the characters, as a whole, in this collection.
Also, the revelations weren't that revealing. Are we meant to be surprised by the unmasking at the end? I was more surprised about the truth about Harry, but only barely.
The art is still good, for the most part, and I will definitely continue with the series, but this arc seemed kind of ho-hum. The revelations were needlessly drawn out for no pay-off, and the filler stories were mostly meh.
In the past I never minded the vignettes. I felt they added character and personality to a sort of standard story. And some of them were rather lush, in either fantasy or horror.
This installment didn't have much horror, which is ok, but I also felt, for the first time, that the side stories were more filler - detracting from the story instead of adding to it. True, we still do get little snippets of character information through them, but I felt very removed from the characters, as a whole, in this collection.
Also, the revelations weren't that revealing. Are we meant to be surprised by the unmasking at the end? I was more surprised about the truth about Harry, but only barely.
The art is still good, for the most part, and I will definitely continue with the series, but this arc seemed kind of ho-hum. The revelations were needlessly drawn out for no pay-off, and the filler stories were mostly meh.
May 1, 2020
This review can also be found on my blog, The Never-Ending TBR Pile
Love. Lust. Betrayal.
These elements were sprinkled throughout in a variety of story lines. Each element is treated from different angles and perspectives, shining light on some of the darker sides to each.
The artwork is stunning, as always, and provides fantastical backdrops to each motivation and emotion. It's always fascinating to me to immerse myself in the visually creative worlds brought to life in this series and this 3rd installment doesn't disappoint.
As an extra treat and one I really enjoyed, there were a collection of stories relating to the number 13 and it's stigma of superstition and dark beliefs. Each one still dealt with the elements of love, lust, and betrayal, each in their own unique ways, and the artwork was perfect for each story.
In the main plot of this series, revelations unfold and twists abound, but the residents finally get some long-sought-after answers. Not necessarily answers they're thrilled with, but answers nonetheless.
I love how this series continues to fascinate as it unfolds and I'm eagerly awaiting the 4th volume, which is hopefully going to arrive in my mailbox within the next week or so. Until then, I'll have to content myself with wondering what's going to happen next and probably get in another book or two before I'm able to dive back into this world again!
Love. Lust. Betrayal.
These elements were sprinkled throughout in a variety of story lines. Each element is treated from different angles and perspectives, shining light on some of the darker sides to each.
The artwork is stunning, as always, and provides fantastical backdrops to each motivation and emotion. It's always fascinating to me to immerse myself in the visually creative worlds brought to life in this series and this 3rd installment doesn't disappoint.
As an extra treat and one I really enjoyed, there were a collection of stories relating to the number 13 and it's stigma of superstition and dark beliefs. Each one still dealt with the elements of love, lust, and betrayal, each in their own unique ways, and the artwork was perfect for each story.
In the main plot of this series, revelations unfold and twists abound, but the residents finally get some long-sought-after answers. Not necessarily answers they're thrilled with, but answers nonetheless.
I love how this series continues to fascinate as it unfolds and I'm eagerly awaiting the 4th volume, which is hopefully going to arrive in my mailbox within the next week or so. Until then, I'll have to content myself with wondering what's going to happen next and probably get in another book or two before I'm able to dive back into this world again!
December 4, 2013
What a disappointment. I really hoped this would be fun. But unfortunately, there just wasn't enough character development. I know that expression seems a bit overused when describing the mass of most comics published nowadays, but it is definitely fitting here. A great illustration of my point is found in the last short story in this volume. It was done as kind of a joke, but they must not have seen the irony contained within "Jordan's Idea with Gorillas and Shit". The piece is funny. In it, one of the side characters tells a story of a movie idea he has that is just a mixed up conglomeration of too many ideas with no cogent point. It ends up summing up The House of Mystery series very well. We are now through the first story arc and there even more questions at the end than there were at the beginning. That would be all well and fine if we actually cared about any of the characters. They are all such a mystery (no pun intended) that we don't know what their real motives and personalities are. And I am not interested enough to stick around.
The closest comparison I can come up with is the tv series "Lost". So many viewers complained that the mysteries and questions were too overwhelming to thoroughly enjoy the show. Now, while I'll admit that there were plot holes that you could drive a truck through, "Lost" had something that this comic series does not: interesting characters.
The closest comparison I can come up with is the tv series "Lost". So many viewers complained that the mysteries and questions were too overwhelming to thoroughly enjoy the show. Now, while I'll admit that there were plot holes that you could drive a truck through, "Lost" had something that this comic series does not: interesting characters.
December 4, 2013
As usual, there's a lot of stuff to like in this volume of the House of Mystery, but all the same complaints that I've leveled at the previous two volumes are still in effect here. The Space Between explains some stuff, but not in any way that really makes me care about what's going on. I still feel like an outsider on the whole House of Mystery thing, and I don't guess that's likely to change.
The art's still pretty good, and this volume does feature their special thirteenth issue, with stuff like a story illustrated by Eric Powell and a great maze/activity page by Sergio Aragones, but the whole thing just never really connects with me, much to my continued sadness.
The art's still pretty good, and this volume does feature their special thirteenth issue, with stuff like a story illustrated by Eric Powell and a great maze/activity page by Sergio Aragones, but the whole thing just never really connects with me, much to my continued sadness.
December 4, 2013
Sadly, I like this series less with each book. I am not giving up on it yet, but I'm getting icky feels that leave me disenchanted. I have to be honest and say I don't really get the kernel of thought behind the story. I feel like it's out of reach of me and I don't think the expected revelation is coming as I read. I feel like my chain is being tugged, and I hate being manipulated.
I feel that it teeters on the edge of being the kind of horror that doesn't appeal to me. Stories with darkness that don't make sense. Seeing bad things happen to good people for no good reason. Where things seem random and unclear. I'm sure that some readers of this series understand, and if you do, I'd love to hear what you think of it. For me, it's just starting to be the law of diminishing returns.
I think my litmus test will be the next book. If I feel that way about it, I'm going to throw in the towel on this series.
I feel that it teeters on the edge of being the kind of horror that doesn't appeal to me. Stories with darkness that don't make sense. Seeing bad things happen to good people for no good reason. Where things seem random and unclear. I'm sure that some readers of this series understand, and if you do, I'd love to hear what you think of it. For me, it's just starting to be the law of diminishing returns.
I think my litmus test will be the next book. If I feel that way about it, I'm going to throw in the towel on this series.
November 17, 2023
Buoyed by some incredible artists like Eric Powell and Gilbert Hernández, this is still kind of a meandering average Vertigo book. Despite its initial potential, the series is really focused on the narrative of the house, a young architect who may have designed it, and her father, a treacherous writer.
While I enjoy the premise, there doesn't seem to be anything to the characters other than how they'll move the plot around. So it's difficult to care about where they're moving the overarching narrative. And the stories within the story in this volume are largely disappointing. None of them are bad. They're just flat. The theme of this book is the space between, and these stories really read like the dull bits between interesting parts of a story. And while that's also an idea rife with potential, nothing in any of the stories really grabbed me.
I've read so many bad books that I regret picking up but this is a series that I constantly want to be better. The reveals, which would probably pop with a better creative team, fell really stale and predictable here. The final reveal in this volume was evident as soon as they introduced the character.
If you loved volume two, this is certainly on par with its story but with a few bonus artist highlights. For me, this was a bit of a letdown.
While I enjoy the premise, there doesn't seem to be anything to the characters other than how they'll move the plot around. So it's difficult to care about where they're moving the overarching narrative. And the stories within the story in this volume are largely disappointing. None of them are bad. They're just flat. The theme of this book is the space between, and these stories really read like the dull bits between interesting parts of a story. And while that's also an idea rife with potential, nothing in any of the stories really grabbed me.
I've read so many bad books that I regret picking up but this is a series that I constantly want to be better. The reveals, which would probably pop with a better creative team, fell really stale and predictable here. The final reveal in this volume was evident as soon as they introduced the character.
If you loved volume two, this is certainly on par with its story but with a few bonus artist highlights. For me, this was a bit of a letdown.
May 14, 2017
This is more like a 3.5 maybe? I've enjoyed the story this far, but this volume is all over the place. Between the story of The Space Between and the entire 13th volume, none of which seems to relate to our main tale... it doesn't feel like we make all that much progress here. I still enjoyed it, but there just seemed to be a lot of side tales.
November 22, 2022
Ok, things are starting to make sense. I'm starting to get a better understanding of the characters and all the factions. The mini stories didn't seem as distracting in this one. In fact, Jordan's Gorilla Story is my favorite so far!
October 26, 2017
I’ve been enjoying these but for whatever reason this volume was particularly well done. Love the gap between the person telling the story & what was really happening.
January 1, 2018
A not-unexpected twist occurred, but also an unexpected one. Even more looking forward to the rest of the story and stories!
August 1, 2018
Interesting enough, move the series's plot along, though thre is quite a bit of variation in quality among the chapters.
December 30, 2019
Really like this series~~
May 26, 2022
another great read, loving how the slow build is starting to reveal answers :)
August 30, 2019
This book is unquestionably awesone.
November 2, 2014
All right, I guess this series is pretty much done for me. Gone is any sort of organic, natural buildup and mystery development. Everything just flies forward by leaps and bounds in this volume, explaining away anything that made the House interesting in the first place, replacing it with dumb crap about alternate universes and a species of people that live "between worlds" or some shit. It is amazing how much promise has been completely jettisoned by Sturges here.
For one, he NEVER explains who people are. People just show up with a lot of general tropes attached to them, and that's meant to be enough for the reader. "Oh, this is a generally evil kind of madman, I guess I've seen enough of those to be okay with this." No. I want these characters to feel like they are unique and matter. Instead, we get really generalized, non-specific descriptions of them.
The Conception: Who knows. Some kind of other-worldly kingdom of evil that wants the House of Mystery for some unnamed reason. Presumably because it came from "The Space Between."
The Space Between: Who knows. Some kind of world that exists where worlds don't exist, and the people who are from there can travel between worlds sometimes, but not all the time, and sometimes it requires blood to do so and sometimes it doesn't, there are no rules, just right, Outback Steakhouse.
Administrator Ceorel: Who knows. Some kind of guy who works for the Conception, but doesn't work for them, because he's set out on his own to take the House of Mystery for whatever reason.
It's stuff like this that just gets piled on and piled on and piled on a plate until we're basically eating a meal made of everything in the kitchen, including the household cleaners. I'm kind of past thinking this series was just having trouble, and into thinking Sturges just doesn't have a damn clue what he wants to do with any of this. I might give it one more volume to right itself, but I don't trust that will happen at all.
For one, he NEVER explains who people are. People just show up with a lot of general tropes attached to them, and that's meant to be enough for the reader. "Oh, this is a generally evil kind of madman, I guess I've seen enough of those to be okay with this." No. I want these characters to feel like they are unique and matter. Instead, we get really generalized, non-specific descriptions of them.
The Conception: Who knows. Some kind of other-worldly kingdom of evil that wants the House of Mystery for some unnamed reason. Presumably because it came from "The Space Between."
The Space Between: Who knows. Some kind of world that exists where worlds don't exist, and the people who are from there can travel between worlds sometimes, but not all the time, and sometimes it requires blood to do so and sometimes it doesn't, there are no rules, just right, Outback Steakhouse.
Administrator Ceorel: Who knows. Some kind of guy who works for the Conception, but doesn't work for them, because he's set out on his own to take the House of Mystery for whatever reason.
It's stuff like this that just gets piled on and piled on and piled on a plate until we're basically eating a meal made of everything in the kitchen, including the household cleaners. I'm kind of past thinking this series was just having trouble, and into thinking Sturges just doesn't have a damn clue what he wants to do with any of this. I might give it one more volume to right itself, but I don't trust that will happen at all.
February 5, 2016
My relationship to House of Mystery appears inverse to much of the Goodreads community. In the earlier volumes, I felt as if there was not as much substance to the story, but as it has expanded in length, the complexities of the story arc become more apparent. I still stand by the criticism that the art is not the best, but symbolism in the story has continued to evolve. The Space Between is more than a horror comic, it is a meta-comic about the relationship between author/artificer and text/artifact. This theme was introduced on a lesser extent within the first volume, but here we witness the theme transcend its previously established as we learn of The Space Between, a Negative Space filled with substance and characters that have escaped their homeland into other realms. This culminates even more so into revelations I will not speak of here due to there spoiler nature.
March 6, 2011
Sturges really hits his stride with the third volume of House of Mystery. We learn about Harry, we get to understand the forces moving against the house and its inhabitants... we learn the ancient history that spawned the house in the first place. Sturges takes full control of the plot and concepts, maintaining continuity with Gaiman's work, but making this series wholly his own. Rossi's art with Marzan Jr.s edgy inks continues to be excellent. It is rare that artists can capture the disconcerting and twisted elements of horror, while still clearly illustrating the story that needs to be told.
This series is getting really good now.
This series is getting really good now.
June 17, 2011
The pace of the storytelling is quickening, which is a good thing. The backstory is starting to be fleshed out, improving the general feel for the setting. I'm not sure I like what I get, though. The whole thing with the Space Between the Worlds and the Conception is all very well, but I don't feel it sits well with the background Mr. Gaiman gave to the house. I don't know about the original series, so maybe it's alright on that front, but as a fan of Gaiman's take on things I just can't warm to it. Anyway, the short stories are getting better now that Matthew Sturges is writing them and they fit into the ongoing storyline much more smoothly.
May 28, 2021
House of Mystery er en tegneserie i 8 deler som handler om Fig (en jente). Hun er fanget i House of Mystery sammen med en gruppe andre både rare og flotte karakterer. Utover i serien inkluderer de andre hennes oldefar, far og halvbror. Det er en bar i første etasje og hvis du forteller en god historie får du drikke gratis hele kvelden. Slik at denne tegneserien er delt mellom hovedhistorien og de historiene folk forteller. Noen klarer å gå ut og inn av huset slik at det er nye gjester innimellom. Men hvorfor og hvordan vil ta alt for lang tid å forklare!
Hele min omtale finner du på bloggen min Betraktninger
Hele min omtale finner du på bloggen min Betraktninger
October 22, 2009
The third in this series, The Space Between (comics 11 - 15) picks up some of the pace that was lacking in Love Stories for Dead People. Though, maybe it's me being picky, but it seemed too much happened at once. I suppose it's because some key themes of the series were being wrapped up. But perhaps the pacing between Space and Stories would have been better had parts of this been relegated to the previous collection.
I still love it though, and plan on giving a copy of 13 to a friend.
I still love it though, and plan on giving a copy of 13 to a friend.
February 1, 2010
Things are getting more and more intriguing! There were a few rough spots...stories that, as far as I could tell, didn't seem to connect to anything that was happening within the main plot line, even in the very loose way that the little one-off stories usually do. But even with those interruptions, a lot happens in this volume, and it seems like we're really starting to make some headway into who the main players are and where things are leading. This is definitely one of my very favorite comic series these days.
February 15, 2014
I couldn't really get into this, I don't know whether it is because it is the third volume (which I didn't realise when I got it out of the library) or whether it's just not my thing but neither the story nor the characters managed to grab my attention, let alone keep it. The illustrations are brilliantly done and a full of atmosphere and foreboding but the story seemed a little flat with no real purpose or meaning. Think I'll have to hunt down the two previous volumes and come back to this one.
August 5, 2014
The star issue (for me) in this volume would probably have to be the final issue (15).
It had ninja gorillas, or ninjorillas, if you would, in it.
As far as I'm concerned that's worth 4 stars right there.
There is also a story in this volume brought to us by Eric Powell which is always a treat.
Oh yeah... And dragons and dinosaur wizards (once again Jordans story, or in this case his movie idea) steals the spotlight!
Hell of a lot of fun! I'd probably actually give this one a 4 and a half if I could.
It had ninja gorillas, or ninjorillas, if you would, in it.
As far as I'm concerned that's worth 4 stars right there.
There is also a story in this volume brought to us by Eric Powell which is always a treat.
Oh yeah... And dragons and dinosaur wizards (once again Jordans story, or in this case his movie idea) steals the spotlight!
Hell of a lot of fun! I'd probably actually give this one a 4 and a half if I could.
July 1, 2010
I am absolutely LOVING this series, and this volume is no exception.
In the main mystery storyline, a lot of questions get answered--but it's ok, because new themes and directions, with questions of their own, are introduced. "Fig's Adventure in Stuffytown" (is that what it was called?) opened up and hinted at interesting possibilities. And once again, the smaller stories were interesting and varied.
In the main mystery storyline, a lot of questions get answered--but it's ok, because new themes and directions, with questions of their own, are introduced. "Fig's Adventure in Stuffytown" (is that what it was called?) opened up and hinted at interesting possibilities. And once again, the smaller stories were interesting and varied.
March 5, 2011
Reprints House of Mystery #11-15. Harry is faced with the truth about the House of Mystery as the Conception moves in for an ambush. House of Mystery is one of those series that has some good and some bad. The characters seem all underdeveloped for as far as the series is and it is because they have to stop for a short story every issue. The short stories aren't bad but they sometimes don't add to the overall story.
December 20, 2018
My favorite graphic novel is the macabre, creepy graphic novel. I was turned onto this series loosely based on the old House of Mystery comic books of the past. This is the third in the series! There is one story encompassing the whole series, that of the people populating a bar in the House of Mystery, but those bar patrons need to tell stories to get drinks so there is plenty of short treasures in the pages as well. The art is great and diverse!
August 18, 2013
I'm really enjoying this history and like I had referenced before there is a very similar feel in the story to the series fable and even shares some collaborators. I loved the twist at the end (but I won't spoil it) and I had no idea it was coming. The artwork also continues to impress, as it perfectly depicts all the worlds that are somewhere between dreams and nightmares. I continue to highly recommend this to any graphic novel who enjoys a clever story line.
February 24, 2010
Volume 3 answers many of the questions raised by the first two volumes, and introduces us the world and concept of the Pathfinders. I'm not certain that I love any of the characters here, but I like many of them (Fig, Harry, Dragon, and more) and the paying for your drinks with a story does gives the writers multiple ways to tell stories.
February 10, 2013
As much as I enjoy reading this series, it's a touch disjointed at times. The story jumps around between multiple "nows" and previous stories told by the characters, and half of the time there isn't any indication besides the art style changing slightly. They can get away with it (mostly) in the graphic novel format, but trying to make sense of the once-monthly releases must be rather trying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews