HAUNTED HOUSE: A LOVE STORY #1, by Blood Moon Comics on 11/1/23, begins a supernatural tale of love, obsession, and grief when a house comes to life and falls in love with its owner.
The Details
- Written by: Winston Gambro
- Art by: Winston Gambro
- Colors by: Rob Cloma
- Letters by: Winston Gambro
- Cover art by: Winston Gambro
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: November 1, 2023
Is HAUNTED HOUSE: A LOVE STORY #1 Good?
HAUNTED HOUSE: A LOVE STORY #1 ain’t your typical ghost story. That’s a good thing because Winston Gambro delivers a spooky tale with as much romance and heart as it has chills and violence. If the follow-up issues are as strong as issue #1, this could be one of Blood Moon’s best series.
Gambro’s story centers on a solitary man, Sebastian Liphook, who pours his heart and soul into building a stately manor where he intends to live alone. Sebastian’s quiet life is disrupted by his growing bout of consumption, but when Sebastian writes for assistance from a handsome doctor, the extended bouts of treatment turn into something more. However, the house isn’t keen on interlopers.
The hook in Gambro’s story lies in the twist that the house is not haunted in the traditional sense. The house “lives” through the deep emotion infused into its creation through Sebastian, so the house is more accurately described as anthropomorphic, which makes the prospect of mediums or exorcism difficult.
What’s great about HAUNTED HOUSE: A LOVE STORY #1? Gambro’s story effectively balances the supernatural elements of the house’s obsession with a thoughtful love story between Sebastian and Nathan. Once you learn Sebastian is gay, his desire for solitude takes on deeper layers of tragedy, and the prospect of a romance adds an aspect of hope that gives the story a mild rollercoaster of emotions.
What’s not so great about HAUNTED HOUSE: A LOVE STORY #1? Given the deep levels of obsession the house has for Sebastian, it never makes itself known to him as a living entity with emotions. It seems strange that a sentient being would be so involved with the object of its affection without trying to communicate or make contact in some way. By keeping Sebastian in the dark, the house is largely passive until provoked.
How’s the art? Gambro works double duty by also handling the art, and it looks great. The character acting and scene developments are thoughtful and nuanced. The house’s reaction to Sebastian’s lover is brutal. And the tragic final scenes are heartbreaking in their design.
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What’s HAUNTED HOUSE: A LOVE STORY #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Sebastian Liphook looking over the completion of his work in building his dream house. No detail was spared in building a home he could live in quietly for the rest of his days. Sebastian’s family worries about his need for solitude, but Sebastian is content to live alone… except for his nagging cough.
As time passes, Sebastian’s cough grows worse, forcing him to send a letter for the services of a doctor. What Sebastian doesn’t know is that the house he occupies is alive through the care and passion he put into its construction. The house also feels a deep love for its creator, a love it doesn’t want to share with anyone.
When Dr. Nathan Snydeer arrives to treat Sebastian’s consumption, the long hours and days of treatment bring the two men together. The house doesn’t take kindly to their romance. We conclude the issue with distortions, broken bones, and broken hearts.
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Final Thoughts
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HAUNTED HOUSE: A LOVE STORY #1 is a nuanced romance wrapped in a supernatural tale about obsession, love, and tragedy. Gambro’s writing captures the subdued heartache of unrequited love, and his art creates a lonely atmosphere to complement the spirit of isolation and longing.
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