The Nice House On The Lake #3

The Nice House On The Lake #3

DC Black Label 2021

Written by James Tynion IV

Illustrated by Álvaro Martínez Bueno

Coloured by Jordie Bellaire

Lettered by Andworld Design

Walter’s “rules” for their getaway strongly suggested the residents not leave the property lines of the House…but how far do they go? It’s not like Sam, the Reporter, to leave a question like that unanswered…but what he finds when he walks the perimeter of the lake might turn out to be the story of his lifetime-however much longer it lasts!

This is a great issue because we are getting into the others who are staying at the house while the world around them burns. I like that we’re starting to get to know the others here. I find it interesting that Walter came out as gay, who knew, and htat had Sam feel comfortable admitting he was gay to Walter and there’s a whole convoluted kind of sotry or history that surrounds the them that puts them in a unique situation. I can see through the backstory how Sam chose to become the man he is today and it is in no small part to Walter’s influence and even now during the present it still dictates the actions that he takes. James does a magnificent job with the writing here and bringing the larger picture out in some overt and subtle machinations.

I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development that we see through the dialogue, the character interaction as well as how they act and react to the situations and circumstances which they encounter continues to flesh these characters out into people we know. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing more and more of the story, the more twisted this tale becomes.

I greatly appreciate the way that we see this being structured and how the layers continue to emerge, grow, evolve and strengthen. The layers contain the good bits, in this case Reg, the characterisation as well as the plot twists and whether they work with the main arc or simply swirl around it they add this great depth, dimension and complexity to the story. The way that we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is impeccably achieved.

The interiors here are bloody gorgeous! The linework is exquisite and how the varying weights and techniques are being utilised to create this level & quality of detail in the work we see is outstanding. How we see backgrounds being utilised throughout to enhance and expand the moments as well as how they work within the composition of the panels to bring out the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the work is magnificent to see. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masterful eye for storytelling. The colour work is equally as brilliant to see. The various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show a brilliant eye for how colour can be utilised to maximise its effect.

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This has gone into the realm of something I hadn’t expected to see. I wouldn’t say they were necessarily trapped in a cage but then again they are like mice in a maze or ants in a homemade ant farm. Regardless it seems that Walter either sees them as those he loves or those he loves to play with and with so many of them there trapped in this house unable to take their friend at his word well it’s a powder keg giving off sparks with all these various personalities. With some truly wondrous writing and stellar characterisation surrounded by these mindbogglingly brilliant interiors this book is the year's hottest event!