Del Sutton’s journey to heal haunted places comes to a brutal end. He’s done so many things that have his hands drenched in blood. The questions of his motives are still blurred in morality. How does he keep from losing his mind in a pool of blood and sin? What consequences have his actions thrust upon a world of corruption and pain? We find out in issue #4 of Plague House!
- Written by Michael W. Conrad
- Illustrated and Lettered by Dave Chisholm
- Designer Winston Gambro
- Editor Bess Pallares
- Assistant Editor Azat Sayadi
- Published by Oni Press
Plague House Goes Mad
Plague House has been a blood soaked tale of moral obligations and ethical conundrums. So far, Del Sutton has gone from ghost hunter to advocate for vengeful spirits. His slow descent into murderous intent is something to behold. In issue 4 the culmination of his journey brings us to a place all too familiar to readers and gives us an interesting take on the “haunted house”.
The Weight of the World in Plague House
Michael W. Conrad goes on a tear in this issue. Every word has an intense weight to it as he crafts one big monologue manifesto from the character of Del. We get the occasional reprieve with intermissions involving Holland and a news reporter.
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What really strikes at the soul of the reader is a relation to current events. I’m referring to the viral moment last year involving a murder that gripped the country. An investment firm heir is gunned down in the street on security footage that is a clear reference to the United Healthcare CEO murder. Conrad uses this plight by Del to ask the question of us: at what point is someone doing the right thing vs committing an act of evil?
What is a “Haunted House” in Plague House?
In the end the lesson of the story is that “haunted” is just another term for traumatized. Places hold trauma. People hold trauma. Society holds trauma. When those demons, those skeletons in the closet aren’t addressed and allowed to haunt us, negative energy will cause death and destruction. It’s a brilliant way to approach a new age haunted house story.
The Complimentary Art of Horror
Dave Chisholm possibly illustrates some of the most horrific images we’ve seen thus far. It all starts with the opening description of the Mokumokuren and the image of hundreds of eyes gazing upon someone in a classic Japanese home. This madness is then transferred the idea of the American Haunted house, taking on a life of it’s own. The images of the land known as The Salton Sea itself embodying vengeful spirits.
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While those things hold a certain paranoia or psychological fear, it’s the real violence that is the most striking. Men being gunned down in the streets in cold blood, the madness that inflicts Holland and Del, and the consequences for Del’s actions. Every image, every color choice, carries just as much weight as the words they represent.
Overall Grade 10/10
Plague House has been a riveting horror story that kept readers on their toes and questioning everything. Issue 4 takes off the training wheels and puts us on the stand to answer tough questions. It’s a magnificent job by Conrad to take what we know and turn it on it’s head. Dave Chisholm has mirrored that in his art as well. Unsettling images, breathtaking splash pages, and bold colors make for the perfect companion to such a haunting tale. This was a wonderful conclusion to a new classic in horror.
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