The Sinister House of Secret Love #3

I've recently been devouring the DC Comics' 1970s title The Sinister House of Secret Love. The debut issue was published in Sep/Oct 1971. This is a comic that eventually became Secrets of Sinister House by issue five. The first issue was penned by veteran spookhound Mary Skrenes, and the second issue by illustrator Joe Orlando and journeyman writer Len Wein. This third issue was written by Frank Robbins, a comic artist and writer that was experiencing a late career flourish that included work on Captain America, Ghost Rider, Invaders, and DC's licensed version of The Shadow. Artwork for the issue is Alex Toth (House of Secrets, Green Lantern) with pencils by Frank Giacola (Avengers, Amazing Spider-Man).

The lead story, “Bride of the Falcon”, is unique in its presentation of a deaf woman, Kathy, as the protagonist. This is a bit more dynamic when paired with an imprisoned woman in the story that experiences paralysis. Her inability to move her lips impairs Kathy's ability to understand her cryptic messages. Additionally, there are other interesting twists and turns that catapult the story into a different look and feel compared to the title's predecessors. 

In a flashback, Kathy answers a classified ad requesting a companion for Count Lorenzo Di Falco at his castle on Isola Tranquillo (Quiet Island). Different era, different security issues in the early 1970s. Kathy arrives at a port searching for boat passage to the island. Yet, ferrymen refuse to take her, issuing dire warnings about her safety if she goes there. This was a throwback to gothic literature, and horror movies, with the tavern owners and bar maids forbidding travelers to journey to the big 'ole dark castle. Eventually, Kathy gains a passage from a young man named Roberto, who comes full circle to appear in the story's finale. 

On the island, Kathy meets the Count and discovers he has a fondness for falcons. He also has hideous scars on the side of his face from falcon claws. His isolation in the robust castle, paired with his facial unpleasantness, led to the advertisement searching for companionship. Kathy falls in love with the Count, but quickly realizes he's a real jerk. He's vicious with the castle's staff, and at times can be a little rough with Kathy. Central to the plot is an older woman that the Count calls his “mother”. Kathy can't confirm the relationship due to the woman's paralysis and inability to speak. The Count explains to Kathy that once she dies they can get married and live happily ever after in the castle. But, there's more to this traditional murderous love affair than you might think.

Again, I am having a blast reading this mini-series, and find the writing and art a real delight. Toth and Giacola create some abstract layers to the presentation that fuels the mysterious elements within the story. The mystery had me until the end, but I knew something was developing between a younger servant there and the Count's “mother”. This is on par with the title's excellent opening issues. Highly recommended.