The Nice House on the Lake and The Nice House by the Sea are two post-apocalyptic horror comic book limited series created by writer James Tynion IV and artist Álvaro Martínez Bueno, and published by DC Comics through their Black Label imprint and since 2024, their Vertigo imprint.
The Nice House on the Lake debuted on June 1, 2021, and concluded on December 27, 2022. This first series focuses on the mysterious Walter, who invites ten of his friends to an idyllic house in the countryside, only for them to witness the end of the world and be told they are not allowed to leave. The series received critical acclaim, winning four Eisner Awards including the 2022 award for Best New Series.
A second "cycle" in the same setting, The Nice House by the Sea, began on July 24, 2024.[1] This series follows a different household consisting of exemplary humans selected by Max, another member of Walter's species.[2] In October 2024, DC relaunched their Vertigo imprint and began publishing some Black Label titles, including The Nice House by the Sea, as Vertigo titles.[3][4][5]
Synopsis
The Nice House on the Lake
The enigmatic Walter invites ten of his close friends and acquaintances to spend a week at an opulent lake house, initially believed to be in Wisconsin. On the group's first night at the house, they discover to their horror that the outside world is ending.
Walter reveals that he is part of an alien species who intend to destroy the Earth and study the ten humans inside the house. He explains to the terrified group that they can live without want in this house forever, but they can never leave. As time passes, the group discovers that not only will anything they request be delivered to them, but they can no longer die or even be injured. The group then starts to see their idyllic existence as a gilded cage, and resolve to uncover the truth about Walter and the house – and maybe even save what is left of the world.
The Nice House by the Sea
The second "cycle" follows Max, another enigmatic figure who has handpicked a group to live in a beautiful house in a Mediterranean setting after the end of the world. In contrast to Walter's group of friends (accomplished professionals in their own right, but chosen by Walter out of personal affection), the members of Max's group have attained some of the highest positions and awards in their respective fields, but were not personally connected before arriving at the house.
Characters
In issue #10 of The Nice House on the Lake, Walter reveals that he (and by implication, Max and others of their species) was tasked with identifying and preserving ten exceptional human beings who embody different core aspects of humanity.[6] Where the in-text description of a character varies from the "core aspects", it is given in parentheses.
Reception
Awards and nominations
Collected editions
External links
References
- The Nice House by the Sea DC Black Label, September 2024^
- Alex Zalben. DC Announces The Nice House By The Sea From Tynion, Bueno Comic Book Club, April 16, 2024, retrieved April 16, 2024^
- Rich Johnston. DC Comics Confirms They Are Bringing Back Vertigo Imprint Bleeding Cool, October 19, 2024, retrieved 22 October 2024^
- Rich Johnston. DC Reprints The Nice House By The Sea #1 To #3, With Vertigo Logos Bleeding Cool, October 24, 2024, retrieved November 1, 2024^
- The Nice House by the Sea Vertigo Comics, December 2024^
- The Nice House on the Lake DC Black Label, November 2022^
- Chris Arrant. And the winners for the 2022 Harvey Awards are... Popverse, January 10, 2023^
- Spencer Perry. 2022 Eisner Award Winners Include Multiple Wins for James Tynion IV, Barry Windsor-Smith ComicBook.com, July 23, 2022, retrieved August 23, 2022^
- Graeme McMillan. And the winners of the 2023 Eisner Awards are... Popverse, July 22, 2023^
- Valerie Complex. GLAAD Announces Nominees For The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Deadline Hollywood, Penske Media Corporation, January 18, 2023, retrieved January 18, 2023^
- Palmarès 2024 (Awards 2024) Angoulême International Comics Festival^
- Rich Johnston. GLAAD Awards Nominations 2025 Now Include Full Comic Creative Teams Bleeding Cool, January 22, 2025, retrieved April 1, 2025^