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Review: ‘Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher’ #1

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Richard Corben manages to draw out an eerie mood and spine-chilling atmosphere in his adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher. With Corben’s surrealistic artwork and storytelling, this adaptation brings about the foreboding element of Gothic horror. Literary enthusiasts should not be afraid to pick this up because Poe’s eloquent prose translates very well into the comic book medium.

WRITTEN BY: Richard Corben
ART BY: Richard Corben
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: May 15th, 2013

What’s great about Corben’s adaptation is how he interprets the story on many different levels. The story brings together the elements of a haunted house, an incestuous sibling rivalry, and human nature’s fear of death. I really liked how Corben focused on the architecture of Usher’s mansion in the opening pages. Through a bird’s eye view, readers get to see the haunted mansion from all sides. The mansion’s dilapidated state represents Roderick’s unstable mental behavior.

There is definitely an ick-factor that runs through the pages. Through his portraits, readers do get to see how Roderick is sexually abusing his sister, Madeline. Roderick wants to dominate and show power, which is way he needs Allan as a witness. Allan observes Roderick’s creepy behavior, but there is something else going on when Roderick paints a picture.

Because I mostly remember Roger Corman’s adaptation of Poe’s works, I was at first expecting an over-the-top use of red and primary colors. Corben stays away from the use of red tones and keeps a naturalistic color scheme. Even when he uses green tones, the color quality is faded and dull. The combination of gray and brown shadings actually enhance the Gothic architecture of the mansion.

One of my favorite images is of Allan staring awkwardly at the clock. As the bells of the clock ring, a small model of the Grim Reaper steps out. Each time the bell strikes, the Grim Reaper sweeps the floor with his scythe. Death itself is coming for Allan and the Usher siblings, bringing along the dead buried in the backyard.

Just like he did with “The Conqueror Worm,” Richard Corben delivers another truly terrifying interpretation of Poe’s works. Readers will definitely be impressed by what Corben has artistically achieved in his faithful adaptation of “Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher.”

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Jorge Solis

Comics

‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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