House of Secrets (Vertigo)
House of Secrets was a horror anthology comic book series published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint. It evolved from the earlier DC title of the same name, which was primarily focused on suspense and mystery tales with supernatural elements. The Vertigo House of Secrets relaunched in 1996 and ran for 25 issues, ending in 1998.
The Vertigo series significantly differed in tone and content from its pre-Vertigo predecessor. It embraced a darker, more mature horror aesthetic, delving into themes of psychological horror, sexuality, violence, and the grotesque. The stories were often experimental in nature, pushing the boundaries of the comic book medium and exploring unconventional narrative structures.
Unlike the original House of Secrets, the Vertigo series did not feature a regular host character narrating or introducing the stories. The focus shifted entirely to the individual tales themselves. The series showcased a diverse range of writing and artistic talent, featuring contributions from both established and emerging creators in the horror and comic book genres.
House of Secrets (Vertigo) is considered a significant example of Vertigo's commitment to publishing mature, sophisticated, and often challenging comic book stories. While short-lived compared to other Vertigo titles, it left a lasting impact on the horror comics landscape.