House of Mystery #0-18 (Ongoing, Update)

is an occult and horror-themed ongoing comic book anthology series based on the classic series that ran from 1951 to 1983. It is written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges (writers of the Eisner-nominated ). It debuted in July 2008, published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics. It features a different story each issue, told by people trapped in a "purgatory-like" House of Mystery. They are gathered in the house bar where everyone must pay for their drinks with stories, and no one can leave without being picked up by the house's mysterious coachman. None of the house's occupants are sure why some people might get to leave and others not, so each person's stay is at least ostensibly eternal until the coachman inexplicably turns up to take them away. This doesn't stop some of the inhabitants from trying to get out. One of the characters in the series, Cain (of ), continually attempts to return to the House of Mystery, his home in the Dreaming (a fictional place; a comic book location in the DC Comics Universe; the domain of Dream of the Endless in Neil Gaiman's ). Issue #18 is entitled "Academics", part three of the five-part story arc, " The Beauty of Decay."

A new storyline begins here, but the solicitation text for this issue has been stolen, and the following note left in its place: "Dear Constance, I've been having bad dreams. I am in a House, and there is a man summoning me...come quickly." The meaning of the note is unknown. The only certainty is that this issue's short story features the eerie art of Richard Corben (HELLBLAZER). Written by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham; Art by Luca Rossi and Richard Corben; Cover by Esao Andrews -- "The Beauty of Decay" Part 3! Fig, Peter and Jordan venture out into the city of ghosts to visit the long-abandoned Pathfinder's Academy where the most desperate specters wail and gnash. But the Pathfinder's Academy holds more than ghosts – it also contains ancient dark secrets that will change Fig's life forever. Featuring guest art by Werther Dell'Edera (LOVELESS) and a special tale of Fig Keele: "Teen Detective" by SWEET TOOTH creator and Xeric, Alex and Shuster Award-winner Jeff Lemire (THE NOBODY, The Essex County Trilogy). Written by Matthew Sturges ; Art by Werther Dell'Edera and Jeff Lemire ; Cover by Esao Andrews --

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