Helen of Wyndhorn #1
Seth A. Romo
Recap
Following the tragic death of her late father C.K. Cole, the esteemed pulp writer and creator of the popular warrior character Othan; Helen Cole is called back to her Grandfather's enormous and elustrious estate: Wyndhorn House. Scarred by Cole's untimely passing and lost in a new, strange world, Helen wreaks drunken havoc upon her arrival; however, her chaotic ways begin to soften as she discovers a lifetime of secrets hiding within the myriad rooms and hallways of the expansive manor. For outside its walls, within the woods, dwell the legendary adventures that once were locked away within her father's stories.
Review
Helen of Wyndhorn #1 is an immersive and beautifully drawn issue that takes readers on a journey with twists and turns. While it’s a cocktail of fantasy and gothic themes, it’s also great storytelling.
Much of this premiere issue is from the point of view of an elderly woman named Lilith Appleton. As a mysterious character asks about Lilith’s time as caretaker to a rambunctious teenager named Helen, the story weaves from drunken stupors to nightmares in a giant house called Wyndhorn.
Helen, who is recently orphaned after her father took his own life, drinks and causes mayhem in a small town despite having large family wealth. When Lilith arrives and brings her to her grandfather at his mansion, Helen’s bad habits are challenged every step of the way.
Writer Tom King’s story has provided complexity throughout the 32 page run in the characters and the themes of this story. Helen isn’t exactly a likable character, but there is a charm and curiosity in the way she is presented that allows readers to ignore her (rather annoying) bad habits in order to see where her journey will lead her. While the story could have started with Helen arriving at her grandfather’s house, there is time spent showcasing Lilith’s commitment to her new job as caretaker. From grimy jail cells to beautifully lavish rooms, her persistence acts as a stable guide for Helen’s erratic behavior.
The plot has a good sense of mystery and intrigue, although readers shouldn’t expect horrors to be present in this issue. As Helen learns about her new home, readers follow in her journey beside her as the potentials of the new location reveal themselves at the end.
The visuals are nothing short of gorgeous. There are several locations and times and day in this issue and artist Bilquis Evely and colorist Matheus Lopes provide rich panels that are dynamic, colorful, and engrossing. It isn’t just the little details such as lines in an aged face or shades of green on the lush plants outside the mansion, but it’s the way in which panels shift from intense details to intimate close ups of characters and their emotions. Combined with Clayton Cowles’ wonderful lettering to help include exposition and dialogue, and there are many ways to read this issue and find a way to enjoy it.
Final Thoughts
The entire creative team have put together something special in Helen of Wyndhorn from the cover to the last panel. There is richness in the characters and in the art and combined with the themes of mystery and fantasy, it’s a journey that will likely take readers for a compelling experience.
Helen of Wyndhorn #1: Here’s to Good Wine and Monsters
- Writing - 9.5/109.5/10
- Storyline - 9.5/109.5/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 9.5/109.5/10
