Cap's Comics - Haunted Mansion #5

Haunted Mansion #5 concludes Danny’s tale. Danny gets out of the Mansion. But he jumps right from the Mansion and into the graveyard. But Danny is not the only one who escapes as the Captain is closely following his heels. Danny and his spooky friends have to face off against the Captain in one last boss battle. And we can be glad that Danny is outside as he can now count on those beyond the Mansion to help defend him.

John Tyler Christopher Action Figure Cover

Joshua Williamson and Jorge Coelho do wrap up their story. And as a treat Coehlo gets to draw one last classic Mansion scene, the graveyard. The story is ended and gives satisfying conclusions to the story including what happens after the boss battle, where was Grandpa, and what do the survivors do next. Though, I would have liked to see our hero have a slightly more engaged role in the conclusion. And I would have enjoyed a major return of the Hatbox Ghost. But overall, as an adult Mansion fan I was pretty satisfied though the tale may have lacked the story complexity I would have desired. But for the Between Kid the story was a huge success where the Kid was excited to dive into each issue with me.

Tom Morris Variant Cover

Interesting! Of the first four issues, the sales for three issues were well over 20,000 copies. And the one that dipped was issue #3 with the next issue rebounding. That is pretty impressive and largely steady sales. I can believe that based on sales and popularity of the franchise we could see a Haunted Mansion return. And I would be all for it, because the Between Kid loves this story while feeling safe about something that can be scary. And I hope the Kid will be more excited about future tours through the real life attractions. And in the end, that is what really makes me hopeful and happy with these comics!

Katie Cook Variant Cover

Cap's Comics - Haunted Mansion #4

Haunted Mansion #4 focuses on Constance. Joshua Williamson helps us to better understand the famed ghostly bride and perhaps some of her motivation. The Captain wishes for Danny to enter her domain, the attic, to find his treasure. But the attic could also serve as a potential escape from the Mansion’s grip. The reader follows Danny as he struggles to be brave, perhaps with some help from his spectral friends.

John Tyler Christopher Action Figure Variant

Williamson and Coelho continue their successful wandering through the mansion. And it definitely kept the interest of the Between Kid who instantly wanted to jump to the next chapter. The focus here really is on Constance, who is a serial killer in both her mortal and ghostly life. She is a terror to all who get near her ax, creating fear even with the Captain. And her appearance is a threat to both Danny’s mortal and spiritual existence!

Kelley Jones Variant Cover

We are at the edge of our seats as this issue ends. Can Danny leap into the next issue and provide us a resolution? Will Danny and the ghosts be free of the Haunted Mansion…or be trapped forever. Well that’s as long as they miss Constance’s ax!

Second Printing Cover

Cap's Comics - Haunted Mansion #3

Haunted Mansion #3 helps to establish our villain’s motivations.  As the story opens it becomes clear that the Captain is after one thing, treasure.  The Captain has searched the mansion from almost top to bottom and cannot find this pirate booty.  There is only one place he cannot go where it might be hidden, and he will need help to enter that area.  Therefore he attempts to retrieve Danny from the endless party!  But as the party finally ends a new character intercepts our mortal hero, the Hatbox Ghost.  The Hatbox Ghost takes Danny on a spiritual and physical tour through the castle.  And the abrupt ending of this tour results in hard truths for Danny.  The other villain, Constance is depicted solely as motivated by murder!  With Danny now facing the reality of his situation, will be become a victim to the Captain or Constance?  Can he find the bravery he needs to move on in the Haunted Mansion?

John Tyler Christopher Variant Cover

Joshua Williamson really seems to be writing this story for Haunted Mansion fans.  And the inclusion of the Hatbox Ghost really works to prove my point.  The Hatbox Ghost becomes a mentor, somewhat of the non-specific Yoda model.  And he leaves us with more questions than answers.  The big thrill for Mansion fans is the Hatbox Ghost’s and other denizens noting that Hatbox was gone but has just recently returned.  It feels like a literally tribute to the original appearance to this legendary ghost when the Mansion opened and his recent return.  And Jorge Coehlo’s art continues to present the Mansion’s citizens in a familiar an non-scary way that the Between Kid can enjoy.  

Brian Crosby Variant Cover

At this point I am seeing the Haunted Mansion Disney Kingdoms as a safe story.  In fact safe is the word I used in my last review.  It has a beloved Disney Parks attraction at its center.  And the creative team is making sure to hit the fan needed notes to make sure fans are seeing what they most want with the Hatbox Ghost being a great example.  And the story is not too scary, making it All-Ages friendly.  Honestly, safe here may be another way to say success as while no one may be completely over the moon about the material but it is still something most readers can and will enjoy.  

Second Printing Variant Cover

Cap's Comics - Haunted Mansion #2

Haunted Mansion #2 picks up Danny’s story as he attempts to save his grandfather from the villains within the mansion.  Readers meet some instantly likeable characters and get a vision of the villains within the mansion.  And we ask the big question, will the party ever end?

Danny charges into the castle to save his beloved grandfather’s soul.  Danny after entry meets Pickwick at the banquet hall the grand party that is taking place.  Pickwick loves this party and seems at times to forget the peril his soul is in.  And Danny appears to be picking up this attitude, making us worry if Danny will overlook his own quest.  Readers also meet the villains of the mansion.  The Captain, a soul trapped on land, appears to be the big bad that has trapped the souls within the mansion.  But it is Constance that even scares him and leaves the mansion’s denizens headless!  Is Danny now in the Captain’s sight?  Can he evade Constance?  And most of all, where’s Grandpa?

John Tyler Christopher Action Figure Variant

Joshua Williamson makes the story choice that Disney fans need him to.  He makes both the Captain and Constance, two villains filled with canon and head canon references, the villains of his tale.  In many ways he is reconciling the story needs of adult Haunted Mansion fans.  Someone would have been unhappy with either choice.  So he has gone with both.  And while neither side may be entirely happy, well the story is for kids and both villains seem to be serving story purposes.  

Brian Crosby Variant Cover

The real highlight for me is the banquet.  Jorge Coehlo gets to draw a party, one which never ends.  His panels are full of the images that fans expect and require.  And Pickwick at the party is quickly becoming my favorite fun loving though misguided character.  

Disney Parks Variant

Haunted Mansion #2 is a safe story giving readers what they expect if they are also Parks fans.  It has the payoffs you want.   It still also has the ability to touch the heart as I was deeply impacted by Grandpa’s reason for being in the mansion.  And needless to say I am still going forward!     

Cap's Comics - Haunted Mansion #1

For Disney Kingdoms it all started Haunted Mansion adjacent with Disney Kingdoms Seekers of the Weird.  So it is only fitting that we officially go into the mansion with Disney Parks’ and Marvel’s latest installment in the line, The Haunted Mansion.   But will going through the doors live up to expectations for Disney Parks fans.

Disney Parks Variant

Danny seems to be a good kid.  He loves his Grandpa and sending time with him.  But despite their bond they are two different sorts of souls.  Grandpa is an adventurer.  Danny is a coward!  Danny and his Grandpa talked about going into the local Haunted Mansion someday, but a mishap kept Grandpa from entering the mansion in a physical way.  So Danny is shocked when he is summoned by the spirits of the mansion to save them and his grandfather.  Will Danny have the courage to meet and fight for the 999 spirits of the Haunted Mansion?

Brian Crosby Variant

I would say overall that author Joshua Williamson and artist Jorge Coelho provide the reader what they expect.  They offer a story that provides the right visuals to the Disney fan who bought the issue because of the parks connection.  And the story itself is a fine all-ages story, maybe not up to the level of Figment but entertaining for me and the Between Kid.  With the first issue premiering at 66 in the sales chart, it does feel like the title is preforming where a  #1 in this line should be.  I will say story wise with Danny as our main character, other than Dreamfinder this could really be our first boy led story, since the Seeker’s tale was siblings.

Skottie Young Variant

Haunted Mansion #1 led me to want to read more.  And that is really all you can ask from a first issue.  In fact, I am traditionally really hard on first issues but I found this one interesting.  I look forward to Danny’s story and my expectation that he will become braver! 

John Tyler Christopher Action Figure Variant