The Dollhouse Family

[Mark Sullivan (Vertiginous Mod)]

The Dollhouse Family
M.R. Carey, writer; Peter Gross, layouts; Vince Locke, finishes; Chris Peter, colorist
DC Black Label, 2020

Alice is six years old when she inherits an antique dollhouse from a great aunt no one in her family knew about. The toy has a very complicated history, which we see in glimpses right from the beginning of the story. The narrative really kicks into gear when one of the antique dolls that came with the house speaks to Alice, inviting her in for a visit with the family--and supplying the magic words necessary to shrink her down to doll size.

When she gets older Alice investigates the history of the members of the dollhouse family. It becomes apparent that they were all running from something, and are in the house because of a deal they made with it, something that she has rejected three times over the years. After discovering a mysterious alien metal her ancestor had sought to use to defeat the spirit in the house she hatches a plan--with the help of another opposing entity that had been following her around in the form of a cat.

It turns out that the dollhouse came into existence as a result of the battle between two ancient demonic entities that crashed to earth. This revelation ties together the disparate historical stories that had run through the book. There was obviously some sort of magic behind the dollhouse, but I was expecting something more mysterious. The demonic battle resolves everything (leaving an opening for a sequel with Alice's daughter), but it's almost too bizarre to swallow.

It's still an enjoyable read, which is not surprising given a creative team that is Vertigo in all but name. Carey and Gross co-created The Unwritten, and Gross illustrated Carey's Lucifer, as well as The Books of Magic. Locke worked on The Sandman and others. So the storytelling has a comfortable old-school feel. The collection concludes with variant covers by Jay Anacleto and Ivan Nunes, as well as Carey's original pitch for the series and an interview with Carey and Gross.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

Thanks for the review, Mark. This is one that I read an issue of, and decided I'd wait to see if I wanted to get the trade later on. I'm still on the fence after your review, to be honest, but if I see this cheap down the line I'll probably pick it up. I liked the first issue. 

[Glenn Hakanson]

Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod) said:

Thanks for the review, Mark. This is one that I read an issue of, and decided I'd wait to see if I wanted to get the trade later on. I'm still on the fence after your review, to be honest, but if I see this cheap down the line I'll probably pick it up. I liked the first issue. 

Thank a lot.  I try to follow Mike Carey's work; but this one slipped by me.  Now I'll get a chance to read it and decide whether it's worth the price.  The collected edition is significantly less expensive than the 6 individual issues ($17 vs $24 [6 issues x $4 @]).  

Carey's "Felix Castor" paperback series (5 books) is one I'd strongly recommend (not a comic book; but, excellent nevertheless).  It has some vague similarities to Constantine (which Carey wrote for awhile).  I also loved Carey's "Lucifer" comic series (the 75 issue one) which had a beginning, middle and end).  

[Mark Sullivan (Vertiginous Mod)]

Me, too. First discovered his writing on Lucifer--which I consider the best Sandman spin-off by far--and I've read most of the Felix Castor books, too. I liked The Girl With All The Gifts as well. I have Kindle edition of two later novels that I haven't read yet.

[Captain Comics]

I'm grateful as well. I bought and loved Basketful of Heads, and passed it to my wife, who loved it as well. That made me look at the rest of "Hill House" comics (which, as you said, is Vertigo in all but name). But none of them were written by Joe Hill, so I had my reservations. But given your review, I'll plow ahead.