Diablo House #1

Diablo House #1 (see below for preview images)

Credits:
 
Written and Created by Ted Adams
Art by Santiperez
Colors by Jay Fotos
Lettering and Edits by Robbie Robbins
 
When I first got this comic I was super stoked and read it right away.  I completely planned on doing a review at the time but, it kept getting pushed to the bottom of the list.  Now, here it is, a little late but, that’s better than never at all.
 
The story is narrated by the guy that works at Diablo House, a “haunted house” experience of sorts. People line up and take tours and hear grisly and gruesome stories while going through the creepy rooms.  This tour guide’s name is Riley.  Diablo House is located in La Jolla, California.  It is a big hit and gets a lot of business.
 
Our first tale is about love.  But, it’s not the love story you might be thinking.
 
Meet RC.  At the time he first appears in the story he is a kindergartner.  We see him being introduced to his new neighbor kid, Angie.  Then we briefly get a rundown of the next twenty years of their life together.  They manage to fit some happy times in between the horrid home life Angie has and her mother blowing her own brains out in front of her.  They love and support each other in goals and in life and soon get to the adulting.
 
RC and Angie are now newlyweds and have just bought their first house.  RC has held a steady job at a fast food place for five years and is working on a deal to franchise the business and become partner.  Angie is getting fed up with living paycheck to paycheck and thinks they should be getting a cut of the millions of dollars in profits he has helped make the company.  She’s constantly pressing RC to get the deal done.
 
Well, he finally does. And life improves greatly. However, in the process, RC had to pull some dirty tricks on his business partner and he feels bad.  Angie, on the other hand, does not.  She’s all about getting what’s theirs and not worrying about anyone else.
 
But at what cost?  Who is willing to risk what in order to get to the top?
 
I’m not going to tell you but, I WILL tell you this…the closer you are to the top, the farther the fall.
 
THE END
 
This was an excellent comic book.  I have the other issues and will be reviewing them as well but, for an introductory issue…this was phenomenal!  The artwork is good.  It has an interesting style look to it.  It definitely adds to the creepiness.  And Riley, although we see very little of him, he is very effective.  And the story, the story is great.  It moves quickly, has a lot of attitude thrown around in it and has a great ending.
 
I will say there is a small bit of nudity in this issue.  It’s one page, five panels.  But big deal. It’s not like it’s nothing y’all haven’t’ seen before in the mirror.  There is also a fair amount of profanity but, just like the nudity, that doesn’t bother me.  It’s a comic book people.  And it is one that is meant for MATURE readers…although now that I’m looking at it, the cover doesn’t state that.  But, I promise you, this is not a child’s comic book.
 
So, any of you horror comic fans that haven’t already picked this up, you should.  The first issue was published in July 2017 so you might have to get online to order it instead of grabbing it at your local comic book shop. But definitely worth the buy. Hope you all enjoy!
 
RATINGS
Overall 4.5/5
Story 5/5
Artwork 4/5