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    GVN Exclusive First Look: Oni Press’s Plague House TPB

    Comic book cover titled "Plague House" shows a person in a jacket with cityscape reflections; credits Michael W. Conrad and Dave Chisholm, labeled as Issue One.

    Back in April of last year, we had the pleasure of interviewing the creative team behind Oni Press’s Plague House, Michael W. Conrad and Dave Chisolm. Together, they told a saga that was a deep and disorienting reinvention of the haunted house genre.

    Thirteen years ago, Orin McCabe was a family man living a privileged life in the suburbs. Today, he’s condemned to death row for murdering his entire family in an unexpected fit of hammerwielding brutality. In the aftermath of his heinous crime, it’s fallen to a trio of eclectic, but dedicated, ghost hunters—Jacob, the holy man; Holland, the skeptic; and their leader, Del, a true believer in the occult and worlds beyond—to surveil the abandoned McCabe home in search of proof for the existence of the undead . . . and whatever supernatural source may have possibly fueled McCabe’s inhuman massacre. But this ill-matched and uneasy squad of investigators is about to discover something much more terrifying than any ordinary spirit. . . . Something much more pernicious, much more contagious, that if not contained, could take full advantage of America’s unquenchable appetite for violence and deliver a plague of blood unto us all . . .

    As we discussed, Michael always intended for “Plague House” to offer a fresh take on the haunted house trope:

    I think fatigue for the haunted house tropes is responsible for Plague House. I would find myself looking for a book or movie on the topic and all of the descriptions tended to lean into the same old thing. I wanted Plague House to masquerade as something it isn’t, we’ll see if it works. I remain interested in hauntings, but the nature of this story might be a bit of a surprise.

    Next week, Oni Press is set to release the complete trade paperback of “Plague House” on January 20th. This is an excellent opportunity for both newcomers and long-time fans. In advance of the release date, we’re excited to offer a sneak peek at the first issue of this four-part series, brought to life by the amazing team at Oni Press and creators Conrad and Chisholm.

    Illustration of a person in a jacket with a large, dark Victorian house obscuring their eyes; red-orange sky, "Plague House" title above in bold letters.

    The cover of "Plague House: Issue One of Four" lists credits for writer Michael W. Conrad, illustrator Dave Chisholm, and other contributors in a red and black graphic design.

    Two people stand by an open white van filled with equipment at night in front of a dark, old house with lit windows. Text boxes are overlaid on the scene.

    Four people explore a dimly lit house with flashlights, pausing at a staircase; one person examines something glowing green in their hand. Speech bubbles suggest they're discussing smells and batteries.

    A person enters a dimly lit house, looks at old photos, ascends a staircase, and stands at the top, illuminated by blue light, reading text boxes describing eerie sensations.

    A person with glasses and pigtails explores a dimly lit house, uses a handheld device, and reviews notes, surrounded by portrait paintings and eerie red windows.

    A comic page shows two people discussing investigations at a desk, with inset panels labeled “DEBUNKED!”, “JUNK SCIENCE,” and “DISPROVED” featuring a woman presenting evidence.

    A man recounts hiring an actor for psychological help; flashbacks show a scared boy, violent struggle, and a hand clutching a hammer, indicating trauma and violence.

    A comic page shows a man and a frightened boy, the man holding a cross and flashlight, investigating a house, confronting a demonic figure in a red-lit room.

    A boy stands at the top of stairs at night, then recollects childhood while walking by a stream in a forest, observing another child floating face up in the water.

    A man descends into a dimly lit basement, crouches by a bloodstain on the floor, looks at an object in his hand, and speaks to someone off-panel. Red lighting dominates the scene.

    A person approaches and ascends the steps of a large, two-story house at sunset; the text reads "13 YEARS AGO." Close-up panels show their feet and shadow on the porch.

    A man enters a house, looking worried. He is asked if he's okay, then suddenly attacked by another person wielding a hammer, as the scene turns violent and chaotic. A person stands in a doorway watching a child in bed with a teddy bear. Another person is shown angrily smashing something with a bat. The child calls “Daddy,” and someone asks, “What’s wrong?”. A person ascends a staircase while a bloodied, lifeless woman lies on the floor in the foreground of a dimly lit home.

    Oni Press will release the TPB of “Plague House” by Michael K. Conrad and Dave Chisholm in bookstores on January 20th.

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