Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher #2 Review


Richard Corben‘s two-part adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe‘s The Fall of the House of Usher concludes this month. While just as unsettling as the first half, some creepy elements (freaky nudity) are played down and others (incest) are emphasized. Corben also continues to include story elements from another Poe story, “The Oval Portrait.” Here’s the official description of the issue from Dark Horse:

When the dead come to us in dream, in search of the truth, all manner of horrors are revealed. To save the dignity of a dead woman, Herbert must destroy the painting that killed her. But her brother is not ready to let her go . . .

I’m going to assume most people picking up Usher will be doing so for Corben’s arresting artwork, and those people will get their money’s worth. From the very first panel, where the house in question is merged with its reflection in the lake below, you’ll be entranced. The coloring of both characters and backgrounds is extremely realistic, in contrast with the grotesque cartoons of the figure’s forms. Corben also differs the panel borders to influence the tone: rounded corners indicated dream sequences, although the technique is so subtle as to go unnoticed at first, while jagged edges amp up the tension of action scenes.

Corben’s writing is functional, but unremarkable, especially when compared to the art. The only thing that stands out is a curious devolution in the protagonist’s speaking style. For most of the book, he sounds like the stereotypical 19th century gentleman, but near the end he modernizes rapidly. First he uses “yeah” and then, in his final line, delivers an action movie staple: “You’re going down.” It’s funny, but it’s also completely out of place with the rest of the book.

If you enjoy classic comic book art -or bizarre non sequiters in speaking style – then The Fall of the House of Usher #2 is one you’ll want to pick up.

3.5/5


Zac is typing in a Starbuck’s that has run out of Splenda, so don’t say he never suffered for his art. (Also, follow him on twitter.)

S#!T Talking Central