Hell House

Well now I know I really do have some serious problems. A lot of people are ‘Color Blind’; I seem to be ‘black and white blind’. I swear I saw every page of this book in color. I was reading it the second time when I finally realized that the book was in black and white. I admit, it had me worried for a few moments. Then I figured “What the heck?” and kept on reading.

Richard Matheson the author of I Am Legend, The Incredible Shrinking Man and Duel has been one of the most well known masters of horror and thrillers for years. His work has appeared on both the small screen and the big screen. From the Twilight Zone to big trucks chasing little cars, he has frightened more people then Stephen King has blank paper in his house. And Hell House has been one of his most scary.
IDW Publishing finally brings Hell House to the Comic universe as a beautiful, masterly illustrated adaptation.

This is the story of Rudolph Deutsch a rich newspaper publisher who when facing his final days, who is facing his impending demise wants to know for certain if there really is life after death.

And the best place to know that is in the Belasco House, also known as Hell House. Built in the 1920’s by Emeric Belasco, the house became the ‘in place’ during those days, filled with music, women, wine and drugs. A house with it’s own ball room, theater and a chapel dedicated to evil. A house where sin and debauchery lived and people fell into their lusts and envies with joy.

Rudolph Deutsch hires a team of experts to help him learn the secrets that he needs to know, and the group moves into Hell House each with their own motives. One to prove there is nothing more, one to prove that love can conquer evil, one to face his past and another because she is in love.

The story, adapted by Ian Edgington is just great. It captures the atmosphere of dread and darkness that a good horror should have and is helped along by the moody, intricately detailed art of Simon Fraser. The book is to be a four issue, bi-monthly story which should appeal to both horror fans and Matheson fan in particular.

I tell you, I am hooked already. The story made the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up and goose pimples run up my arms. Ooooh, I like it when that happens. When Fischer tells the story of Belasco and the house, Fraser moves us through that house, showing different rooms, each one innocent in appearance yet at the same time made frightening by the history we are learning about them.

As masterfully done as a good horror movie, the images move in your minds eye, creating a story that will stay with you. One that will keep you awake waiting for the next issue.

And hating that it will be 60 days before it comes out.

But I would still almost kill to get a copy of “I Am Legend”, the first IDW/Matheson adaptation.