For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Jack Phoenix’s review of the trade paperback edition of the comic book, “Plague House,” written by Michael W. Conrad, illustrated by Dave Chisholm, first published January 1, 2026, in Booklist. This release collects issue 1–4.
Enjoy.
Plague House
By Michael W. Conrad, illustrated by Dave Chisholm Jan. 2026. 120p. Oni, paperback (9798894889023).
With this brutal horror story, Conrad (“In Bloom”) and Chisholm (“Miles Davis and the Search for Sound”) redefine haunting in multiple ways, as the reader may find its concepts hard to shake long after the last page. A trio of ghost hunters, stars of the show “Room Fortean,” visit haunted locations and document their experiences. Lead by Del, a true believer and a bit sensitive to the paranormal, the group includes Jacob (the priest) and Holland (the skeptic). This may sound pretty standard, but what follows is anything but. As the story combines elements of ghost and slasher fare, mysterious deaths begin to occur; all are individuals associated with locations the team visits. Soon they find themselves immersed in the cases in ways they aren’t ready to handle—but saying anything more would frankly spoil the fun. Mostly known for music-centric comics, Chisholm offers superb, densely textured, and truly atmospheric art here. His use of darks and character expressions will leave readers unnerved, even in panels with relative calm. Every panel appears haunted in some way, and he nails the gore. Conrad is no stranger to horror, and his dialogue, both external and internal, contains many unhinged, thought-provoking elements, mired in moral decay. These are why this brisk story won’t feel short at all. A win for adult horror fans and a surprisingly unique take on the haunted house story.—Jack Phoenix
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