The ensemble horror series from James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martinez Bueno returns this week as the plot really thickens. In The Nice House by the Sea #2, it’s revealed that the cast of The Nice House by the Lake has entered the world of the sea, and now it’s time to share. They killed Walter, the alien who placed them in the lake. And now it’s time to see what to do next. The problem is that the “Lake” people weren’t the best of the best, and that can be a problem as well as the “Sea” people.
“Lovely House by the Sea #3” begins with Sam in a red, dystopian, and blazing futuristic world. He explains to us about Walter and how there was jealousy between the groups. Was it love, and does that hostility continue within the group?
From there, this issue delves into Oliver’s encounters with the people of “The Lake.” He is the only person in the new ocean location who knows about them. Tynion and Bueno continue to drop small details, sprinkling in what feels like an entire city where people can shop to create the everyday. The driving force between the “sea” people and the “lake” people is pretty clear, and it’s going to create some rough tension as it progresses.
The art continues to exude chaotic strangeness, thanks to the color choices and the crazy disintegration of the aliens in the ocean locations. Jordy Bellaire’s colors feel more chaotic than ever in this issue, perhaps conveying the heightened tension and impending danger the characters face. The depiction of these characters is dark and creepy, juxtaposed nicely with the pre-world-apocalyptic photos.
Remember the fancy bookstore?
Credit: DC Comics
Outside the meeting, the mysterious dog continues to eavesdrop. This time Sam is frustrated with the group and is venting it. The alien threat looms large because the aliens in “Ocean” don’t know about Walter’s death yet, unless the dog is a very important alien.
A continuing complaint is how difficult it is to remember the names and backstories of all these characters. There’s a handy guide at the end of the book, but the monthly release schedule means you’ll often have to go back and look at past issues to memorize complex characters. While it would be useful to name a character every time they first appear, I think it would be cumbersome stylistically.
While tensions continue to rise, the issue is progressing very slowly. The plot progresses in maybe a few minutes, but it feels too slow on some scales. But at the same time, the blazing future the characters keep talking about seems inevitable thanks to hints here and there.
“Lovely House by the Sea #3” is another disturbing issue of a great horror story. There will definitely be a conflict in the end, and the weirdness will increase considerably and leave you wanting more.
“A Wonderful House by the Sea” #3 gets you excited.
Lovely house by the sea #3
“Lovely House by the Sea #3” is another disturbing issue of a great horror story. There will definitely be a conflict in the end, and the weirdness will increase considerably to leave you wanting more.
A look into the strangeness of Walter and his relationship, and the transformation of the “sea” alien.
I get excited in a good way
Impressive color selection and visuals
The plot moves slowly and the monthly release schedule makes it hard to remember this strong cast
