The Nice House on the Lake: Vol 1.
Artist: Álvaro Martínez Bueno
Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Review by Tony Farina
Thank you to Net Galley and DC Comics for the ARC
You know how sometimes you just catch lightning in a bottle? When Pete Best was replaced with Ringo Starr, a really good band became the greatest rock and roll band of all time. When Andy Serkis crawled onto the set and said “precious” for the first time, everyone heard Gollum in a whole new way, forever. He’s even narrated the newest version of TLOR audiobooks because he simply has to.
DC Comic’s Black Label has done something that will, over time be listed as one of the greatest combinations of writing, art, and colors of all time in The Nice House on the Lake. In fact, I have no doubt that like The Lord of the Rings, we will one day soon use NHTL to short-hand this epic story.
Jordie Bellaire is one of the top three colorists working today. Period. End of discussion. If you can get Jordie to color your book, you should be honored. She knows when to show restraint, which is the key for an excellent color artist. While I miss her writing skills on Boom! Studio’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when I see work like this, I understand why she felt she had to leave.
Álvaro Martínez Bueno is the guy who brings your nightmares to life. He is the guy who shows you that not all heroes wear capes and when they do, they look magnificent. His last name translates into English as “good.” It doesn’t do him justice. He is great.
James Tynion IV is playing chess while everyone else is just getting the checkers out of the box. He's been on a hot streak that could only be rivaled by Gail Simone and Tom King. This is not hyperbole people. He is that good.
Yes, I realize I haven’t talked much about this book. That is intentional. I don’t want to spoil one thing. It is important to note that I spent weeks thinking about these first six issues after I finished reading them. My brain hurts... but in a good way.
Conclusion
Make time in your life to spend time at the end of the world with the folks at The Nice House on the Lake. You may lose a few hours' sleep, but that's totally fine. When this team holds aloft all the Eisner awards next year, you can say that you saw it coming.
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