Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Amazon.

What a wild ride! Our lead character was part of the Satanic Panic back in the 80s, accusing camp counselors of leading her into Hell and promising her to demons when she was just five years old. She and the five others that were part of this group thirty-something years ago are now in danger, as some of them are being killed under mysteriously demonic circumstances. Quite a few twists for such a short story. Extremely intriguing. Interested in reading more about “satanic panic,” which is eerily similar to the witch trials

I just finished Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, and it completely blew me away. This graphic novel is an atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat blend of noir, supernatural horror, and mystery. Brubaker and Phillips have once again proven that they are masters of storytelling, delivering a tale that lingers long after you turn the final page.

The story centers on Natalie Burns, a private investigator with a haunting past. As a child, Natalie was one of the infamous “Satanic Six,” a group of children whose testimonies fueled the hysteria of the 1980s Satanic Panic. Decades later, someone begins targeting the now-grown members of the group, forcing Natalie to confront the trauma of her past while unraveling a chilling conspiracy that ties her life to the occult.

What I loved most about Houses of the Unholy is how immersive and layered the narrative feels. Brubaker’s writing is razor-sharp, blending the gritty realism of noir with the unsettling unease of supernatural horror. Natalie is a complex, flawed, and deeply relatable protagonist. Her journey is both a gripping mystery and a powerful exploration of memory, guilt, and resilience.

Phillips’ artwork is absolutely stunning. The muted tones and shadowy details create an eerie atmosphere that pulls you into the story’s dark world. Each panel feels like a perfectly crafted moment, with the visuals adding as much depth to the story as the writing. The collaboration between Brubaker and Phillips is as seamless as ever—they’re a duo that consistently delivers excellence.

The pacing is perfect, with a steady build of suspense that leads to moments of shocking revelation. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end, and the emotional stakes made every twist feel earned. This isn’t just a story about solving a case; it’s about facing the demons—both literal and metaphorical—that haunt us.

I recently finished Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, and it was an enthralling experience from start to finish. This graphic novel delves into the lingering shadows of the 1980s Satanic Panic, following Natalie Burns, a private investigator with a haunting past. As a child, Natalie was part of the “Satanic Six,” a group of children whose testimonies fueled the hysteria of that era. Now, decades later, someone is targeting the remaining members of the group, and Natalie must confront her past to uncover the truth.

The storytelling is both gripping and nuanced, seamlessly weaving between past and present to reveal the complexities of Natalie’s character and the dark secrets that bind her to the other members of the “Satanic Six.” The narrative is enriched by atmospheric artwork, which vividly captures the eerie and suspenseful tone of the story. The use of color, particularly the red hues in flashback sequences, adds depth and intensity to the reading experience.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved everything about this - the characters were dimensional, the plot was interesting (if a bit far-fetched), and the art was fantastic. I can't wait to read more.

Natalie Burns is a private kidnapper of sorts. She kidnaps those who are being looked for by family because they are in a cult. It is all going great until she mucks her latest up and the FBI gets involved. Natalie was part of a Satanic Panic group of children when she was five. And FBI Agent West has found that someone is picking off the group one by one. Between West, her flashbacks, and her nutter of a brother, getting past this will be hell.

Wow. Just wow. Talk about storytelling in a short graphic novel. Brubaker comes out, guns a blazing and doesn’t stop until the last bullet is spent. Between the old detective comic style of the drawing, the epic detail on everything (including a sex scene, spicy), and the stellar horror scenes this is a winner on all accounts.

Keep your eyes peeled for this one, friends. And load up on the Holy water. A HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND 5/5.

Unique angle to come at a book about the occult and the satanic panic. I liked the murkiness of it. It had a Twin Peaks feel to it.

This was an interesting story with good bones, but little meat. I would love to see a more fleshed out version without such an abrupt ending. As it stands, I would recommend this, but only to those who have exhausted other options in the genre.

Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker is a good horror crime mystery graphic novel from a favorite author. It's the first time I've read Brubaker in a little while and for the most part it was good to be back in one of his twisted worlds. I really loved it right up until the very ending which was disappointing. It made me hope that there would be more in the future, but it doesn't look like that's the case.

An action-packed and riveting short graphic novel, Houses of the Unholy packs a wicked punch. Natalie Burns is haunted by the lies she told in the wake of the Satanic Panic craze of the late 1980s, when she is approached by an FBI agent that brings her past catapulting to her in horrific ways. Violent, scary, and ensnaring, Houses of the Unholy is a fun and wild ride.

Thank you to Image Comics for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a totally unique book for me. I’ve never really gotten into the whole humor+comic approach, but I have to say, this author delivered on all fronts. He made this approach to the satanic panic engaging and, dare I say, comedic. This author has won me over and I can’t wait to read more unique books by him!

This is a fantastic standalone comic by arguably a master of the comic genre. The story mixes gritty crime and a touch of supernatural framed in the satanic panic of the 80s/90s. The art work is fantastic and the colouring both suit the genre so well. The layout is perfect with the right amount of text on each panel.

The story is paced well and I loved the inclusion of flashbacks to the past and then the plot of present. I will definitely be getting a physical copy for my book shelf since I think this is one I will definitely re-read in the future.

As always thank you to Image Comics and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

Brubaker once again delivers a creepy story that leaves several questions about humanity unanswered but leaves the reader thinking.

This was a great standalone story by a seasoned author. I’m new to the artist but the style complimented the gritty crime drama storyline perfectly.

I wish I had this on my monthly pull list, because the anticipation would have been a lot of fun. Many of the issues ended in a cliffhanger, so I had no self-control and I read it in one sitting.

Only thing I’d dock it for, it was over so fast. This could have really been fleshed out in a bigger series with more backstory, but at that same time, not every series has to be chunky. Sometimes a one and done is nice too.

If you’re a comics fan looking for a self-contained riff on the fallout of the satanic panic, 4/5 stars, check it out.

*An uncorrected proof of this book was provided by the publisher at the reviewer’s request in exchange for a fair and uncompromising review.

3.5* rounded up

Houses of the Unholy follows an event during the Satanic panic in the 80s, as well as the modern-day aftermath. The use of snapshots of the past kept the story engaging during what was otherwise a slow burn plot. I really enjoyed the creepy imagery and the cultish themes, too.

This was my first introduction to the authors' work, and I will be checking out more in the future. The artwork was great, and I loved the 80s feel of the flashbacks. I would have liked to have seen a bit more from the ending as I felt like the plot wrapped up very quickly. Nevertheless, this was an intriguing mystery.

I would recommend Houses of the Unholy to anyone with an interest in cults or the Satanic panic.

I didn’t catch on to the fact that this was a comic. It was pretty cool though and the illustrations were awesome. Def will give you a creepy vibe

I have always been a fan of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ work. While they usually write in the same wheelhouse of neo noir crime thrillers, sometimes they come up with something completely different than what you’d expect! One example is Bad Weekend, another is this banger of a book Houses of the Unholy.

Brubaker came out of left field with this one. It’s terrifying, gory, horrific and dark. The storyline was a bit predictable but I think that might be because I am always suspicious; I couldn’t figure out why she would just hop into a car with a total stranger to try and warn people she wasn’t friends with. She made it clear she wasn’t friends with them over and over, and she seems like the kind of woman who can protect herself.

The Satanic Six were all victims of childhood trauma involving being brainwashed and groomed to believe they were being molested by demons. The one line that was repeated quite a few times was “You never pay attention to what’s happening right in front of you.” And that all made sense very fast! Her brother was a dead giveaway! In the 90s we all knew kids as obsessed as he is, the basement kids who only existed on the internet, who were so easily manipulated. I personally love anything occult and think the role psychology plays in it is fascinating. Poor girl couldn’t even remember her core memories and had total jerks as parents. The reason why Houses of Unholy is so terrifying is because it could easily be real. In fact I know there are similar stories.

The artwork is done so well. The full pages of red are just so visceral and unsettling. The images of demons ripping into flesh and ritual sacrifices instantly sucked me into the depths of darkness and brought chills to my skin. Phillip’s is a true talent.

Is this book for everyone? Probably not, unless you enjoy horror. I personally loved it even though it scared me to death - but that was the point, I think.

Excellent GN, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

This is a quickly-paced and gritty story about the now-grown children involved in an 80s crime during the Satanic Panic. The pacing felt great, and the art style fits well with the rogue investigator-type story.

Unfortunately, the letdown was the ending cut off too quickly, leaving the story feeling slightly unresolved. Ultimately, this is still a great graphic addition for those looking for a quicker dive into true-life horror.

Houses of the Unholy by Ed Brubaker, with haunting illustrations by Sean Phillips, is a relentless dive into darkness. Brubaker’s storytelling is sharp and intense, matched perfectly by Phillips' gritty, atmospheric artwork. Together, they create a world steeped in suspense and moral complexity, each twist more chilling than the last. This is Brubaker and Phillips at their finest—an utterly captivating, spine-tingling experience that leaves you breathless.