Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1 Review

"Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love" #1 from DC Comics -


     Berenice's boyfriend Nathan has inherited a centuries-old mansion, Glencourt Manor, from his deceased uncle, prompting his and Berenice's move from their cozy apartment in the city into the foreboding mansion far into the countryside. Nathan is an author working feverishly to get his next book complete in the quiet solitude of the dusty manor-house, Berenice has decided to be an antique dealer; in fact, that is how she has met her only friend in the area, Sam, a transgender person with whom Berenice has a found a deep connection. What both Nathan and Sam don't know is that Berenice has a secret, a secret that would usually keep her away from old places, places where death has most certainly taken place. Berenice can see spirits, she can communicate with them. All her life she has suffered this terrible burden, eventually choosing to ignore the presence of the dead so that they won't be alerted to her ability, leaving her to lead some semblance of a normal life. Unfortunately, Berenice's quiet little life is turned on its head when Deadman shows up on her doorstep. Boston Brand, Deadman, has come to Glencourt Manor to fight a dark force inhabiting the house. Somehow, Deadman is trapped inside the home, unable to leave until he destroys the dark force, and he'll need Berenice's help - but the last thing Berenice wants to do is be involved in fighting ghosts. Can they work together to clear the house, and save themselves from the rising darkness that inhabits it? And why is Deadman unable to possess Berenice's friend, Sam? Is there more to them than meets the eye? Can Deadman ever hope to escape this dark, dark mansion?

   Sarah Vaughn pens the story in "Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love" #1, and it is absolutely riveting. Vaughn has scribed a captivating new gothic romance story, a story like those made famous in the 1950s, 60s and 70's by wonderful authors like Phyllis A. Whitney, and Joan Aiken. Gothic romance stories included elements of the supernatural and themes of death and romance. DC tried to tap into the genre's mostly female readership in the early 1970s when it launched "Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love"- a great, but hugely unsuccessful, endeavor. However, Vaughn breathes life into the genre, populating the story with interesting characters that possess real depth, and as an added benefit for the guys, Deadman gets tossed into the mix, and you get a multi-faceted story that can suck in any reader. Does Berenice love Nathan, or Sam, or both? Is Deadman a possible new love for her being that he can connect with her on the most intimate level? What has caused the awakening of the malignant entity, and who is the beautiful ghostly apparition that has appeared screaming in horror? This book just has it all - action, romance, horror, the supernatural - I love it. Add in Lan Medina's dainty, gorgeous, Nick Cardy-like pencils that showcase the expert use of light and shadow, and José Villarubia's masterful colors, and you have a well-written book that also looks better than 95% of the books being published today. I cannot wait to see where this book is headed!

RATING: 10 out of 10. "Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love" #1 proves that DC has a little something for everyone. Sure, at $5.99, this comic will hit your pocket a bit hard - but it is a prestige format book, and a labor of love, and it absolutely shows.


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