TheDCUis looking to go beyond just traditional superhero films and television, and frankly, I could not be more excited about it. While I love my heroes and villains, DC Comics has so much more than that already on shelves, especially once you step beyond its main continuity, and I know the perfect DC-published horror comic for a television adaptation.
I cannot wait for the DCU to deliver on its promised horror projects, but if the studio truly wants to embrace horror,itcannot ignore one of DC Black Label’s best horror series,The Nice House on the Lakeby James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno.
Even withoutNice House, DC is set to embrace the horror genre on-screen in the coming months and years.The DCU promises a villain horror moviewithClayface, and the DC horror comic series byBlack Phoneauthor Joe Hill,Basketful of Heads, is also set to get a movie adaptation. But truly nothing compares toNice House.
James Tynion IV And Álvaro Martínez Bueno Deliver DC Black Label’s Best Horror Series
The Nice House on the LakeWould Make a Horror TV Series Unlike Any Other
I loveDC’s Black Label imprint because it allows creators to step outside of DC’s continuityand explore more mature themes and stories than what’s expected of the comics occupying that continuity. Personally, I have also found these comics to be more accessible for new readers, especially those who want something unlike anything else DC has to offer. Well, for anyone looking for something unexpected from DC, do not sleep onThe Nice House on the Lake, which completed its 12-issue run, so it’s easy to pick up in trade paperback form or as a hardcover.
TheNice House on the Lakeis an apocalyptic comic unlike any other.
What makesThe Nice House on the Lakestand out, even among Black Label series, is thatit has nothing to do with superheroes, and I would love to see DC do more of this alongside their superhero staples, especially now thatNice Houseis retroactively published underits revived Vertigo imprint.TheNice House on the Lakeis an apocalyptic comic unlike any other. While a group of friends stays at an impressive vacation home, the end of the world happens, but their house and its surroundings go untouched - all thanks to their strange host, Water, who is their long-time friend. But Walter may not be exactly who they thought he was.
The Nice House on the Lakeis a phenomenal character study that dares to ask heavy, philosophical questions about morality, fate, and more. Plus, how each issue is framed - with one guest narrating about their relationship with the host, how they’re processing the end of days, or a little of both -this DC Black Label series has the perfect format for a 12-episode TV series. The character work for each guest is phenomenal, giving actors plenty to play with. As for the more science-fiction elements, I would love to see how the special effects bring some of Martínez Bueno’s designs and art to life.
If You LovedThe Nice House on the Lake, DC Has the Answer for You
The Sequel Series,The Nice House by the Sea, Is Ongoing in 2025
If I do not get an adaptation ofThe Nice House on the Lake, I at least haveThe Nice House by the Sea, the sequel series by the same creators that has me already convinced that it can follow up its critically-beloved predecessor. The series, which is on its mid-point hiatus as of March 2025 following issue #6, follows a separate house and group of characters in the middle of this apocalypse. Where the prior series featured guests with a personal connection to their host,The Nice House by the Seafeatures an ensemble without said connections, which already delivers a new and interesting dynamic.
Batman Kills Off Bruce Wayne in New DC Black Label Series
The conflict between Batman and his Bruce Wayne identity will be explored this fall in DC’s Black Label series, Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham.
However, do not let this fool you.The Nice House by the Seais connected to the prior series, so read that first before diving into this. Trust me,TheNice House by the Seais a horror masterpiece, delivering phenomenal twists with just the first issue. While the twoNice Houseseries don’t feature superheroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, or Superman, they should not be overlooked, and they should be up for consideration for an on-screen adaptation in theDCU.
The Nice House on the LakeandThe Nice House by the Seaare available now from DC Comics.
