Advance Review: Haunted House A Love Story #1 (of 6)

Too often in horror movies, there is a monster, ghost, spirit etc, yet few times are the actions of the ghost or spirit actually given a point of view. Sure, there is always death somewhere, or someone done bad by someone else and a killing at times. But that may be the origin, it is not by an means a point of view. Maybe I am putting too much faith in the idea that there has to be a reason for those things that go bump in the night. Thankfully I am not the only one who thinks along those lines as Winston Gambro has created a horror book, driven by the best of intentions, love!

Sebastian, an architect, builds a house for himself and only himself to live in. In the process, the house fund sentience. It has feelings, love, hate and fear. When Sebastian’s life start to invade the house’s space, coming between it and Sebastian, the house takes matters into its own “hands”, regardless of the ramifications that will last decades upon decades. For once down that slippery slope…..

Winston Gambro is the creator / writer / artist who takes on elements of the five stages of grief in order to tell the story of the house that wants to be loved. Taking the writing first, the human characters are well rounded with realistic reactions to the events that surround them. The first relationship that inhabits the house is also well observed, with the difficulties of maintaining a relationship examined in a variety of ways. Hopefully, this will continue to in subsequent issues. The horror aspect is well worked throughout, with the house having a character that I couldn’t help but like. Ok, so it does horrible things, but the reason is quite sympathetic. Gambro looks to keep things on a even keel, introducing characters to the house, each group adding experiences to the house, if it chooses to see them.

Gambro’s art is stylistically aimed at the Victorian times of the building of the house. This works effectively in this first issue, with heavy pencils and inks competing with the dark color scheme, which is evocative of the dark things lurking in the hallways and rooms. The characters lives are well crafted, with the emotions of Sebastian and company contrasting with the emotions of the house in places. Speaking of the house, how the house interacts with the characters may seem a tad standard in places, elongated rooms etc., the icing on the creative cake is how the house communicates, unheard by the occupants in this first issue, but heard by the reader. This then creates a mix of feelings for the reader; are you horrified by the goings-on or do you feel sorry for the house that just wants to be loved? A special shout out to Joshua J.Beck who helped out Gambro with a 3D model of the house used to keep the look and dimensions of the exterior of the house in perspective. Also, Julie Chwala designed the wallpaper look of the bookend pages.

It is said, that a man’s house is his castle. In a sense this book serves this quote well, after all the house wants to protect Sebastian. However, why can’t the house also be a princess, a port in the storm or a lover? This is an engaging read from the outset, with the idea of being loved or looking for love etched throughout.

Writing – 5 Stars

Art – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written & Art by; Winston Gambro
Published by; Blood Moon Comics

Haunted House A Love Story is on FOC (SEP231513) on 15th September, with a release date of 1st Nov, and to check out an interview with Winston Gambro on Outside the Panels click here.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network