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House of Fear: Attack of the Killer Snowmen and Other Stories
It's kids vs. monsters in this collection of scary comics for young readers! House of Fear is the perfect comic collection for monster hunters young and old. It's Scooby-Doo meets Tales from the Crypt ! Devour these terrifying tales if you dare!
Welcome to the House of Fear, your new home for scary comics! Boyle, the creepy caretaker, presents five frightening tales of startling suspense and thrilling adventure. These chilling comics will engross even the bravest of young readers--and empower them with themes of conquering fear and saving the day.
Witness the cold terror of rampaging snow giants set on destroying a local park...and anyone who stands in their way! A wickedly evil Tooth Fairy wielding her waning powers to vanquish two tricky, quick-witted siblings! A pile of autumn leaves that poses a far more sinister threat than a couple of brothers realize! A mean and frosty old ghost with an unnatural hatred for trees who plans to end an age-old quarrel once and for all! A swamp monster that threatens to turn a group of young campers into a midnight snack!
Welcome to the House of Fear, your new home for scary comics! Boyle, the creepy caretaker, presents five frightening tales of startling suspense and thrilling adventure. These chilling comics will engross even the bravest of young readers--and empower them with themes of conquering fear and saving the day.
Witness the cold terror of rampaging snow giants set on destroying a local park...and anyone who stands in their way! A wickedly evil Tooth Fairy wielding her waning powers to vanquish two tricky, quick-witted siblings! A pile of autumn leaves that poses a far more sinister threat than a couple of brothers realize! A mean and frosty old ghost with an unnatural hatred for trees who plans to end an age-old quarrel once and for all! A swamp monster that threatens to turn a group of young campers into a midnight snack!
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 28, 2019
Comics for that Goosebumps lover in your family. This is basically EC Comics or House of Mystery for younger readers. Kids who are into the spookier side of things will really enjoy this. I know I did and I'm much older. Nothing here is too scary for your typical 8 year old. It's on the level of a spooky ghost story around the fire.
Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
April 12, 2020
This is a horror anthology for kids that is modeled after the classic horror anthologies such as Tales from the Crypt. Each story is introduced and concluded by a creepy host. The stories themselves are suitable for children as there is no gore. For all of the stories, except for one, the art is really appealing. There is one story that I particularly liked that featured children fighting against a demonic tooth fairy. This volume is worth reading for that story alone.
March 15, 2021
A spooky collection of several stories featuring axe man, tooth fairies, and more!
I came across this book and just had to get it because well, I am definitely in the mood for creepy things. And this one seemed to be right up my alley. And it was. I do have to say it wasn’t as scary as I had hoped, but I still had fun reading and there were a few moments that were scary.
I liked that we had a narrator/storyteller in between the stories. At the beginning he would give us an intro and at the end a spooky warning or final message. The guy is properly spooky. I really love it when shows or books have an announcer/narrator/storyteller. It just gives that extra OOMPF to the story.
In this book we get 5 stories, 4 longer ones and one very short one. Out of the 5 stories I have to say that Teeth was the scariest and the least scary one was Attack of the Killer Snowmen. Teeth was just so creepy and scary, imagine waking up and something is eating teeth and just is able to make you lose your teeth, yelp, nope. The ending of that one was hair-raising and made me love it even more. The least scary was about snowmen coming to life, but it just was a bit too childish and never felt scary because the kids knew quite soon how to solve things which made it a bit too easy.
While The Leaving was very short, it was very effective so that one definitely gets second place. The other stories (one about a crazy axe man and another about a monster in a lake) were also written well and I enjoyed reading them. Not too scary, but still good to read.
The art style however, I did like the first 4 stories and their art, though I had to get used to the style, but the last story’s art was just not my cup of tea. For some reason that one is done by someone totally different, I don’t know why.
All in all, if you are in for something spooky but not too scary, I would recommend this one. It was fun to read and I flew through it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I came across this book and just had to get it because well, I am definitely in the mood for creepy things. And this one seemed to be right up my alley. And it was. I do have to say it wasn’t as scary as I had hoped, but I still had fun reading and there were a few moments that were scary.
I liked that we had a narrator/storyteller in between the stories. At the beginning he would give us an intro and at the end a spooky warning or final message. The guy is properly spooky. I really love it when shows or books have an announcer/narrator/storyteller. It just gives that extra OOMPF to the story.
In this book we get 5 stories, 4 longer ones and one very short one. Out of the 5 stories I have to say that Teeth was the scariest and the least scary one was Attack of the Killer Snowmen. Teeth was just so creepy and scary, imagine waking up and something is eating teeth and just is able to make you lose your teeth, yelp, nope. The ending of that one was hair-raising and made me love it even more. The least scary was about snowmen coming to life, but it just was a bit too childish and never felt scary because the kids knew quite soon how to solve things which made it a bit too easy.
While The Leaving was very short, it was very effective so that one definitely gets second place. The other stories (one about a crazy axe man and another about a monster in a lake) were also written well and I enjoyed reading them. Not too scary, but still good to read.
The art style however, I did like the first 4 stories and their art, though I had to get used to the style, but the last story’s art was just not my cup of tea. For some reason that one is done by someone totally different, I don’t know why.
All in all, if you are in for something spooky but not too scary, I would recommend this one. It was fun to read and I flew through it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 22, 2024
Here’s something fun I just discovered. I have yet another Goosebumps throwback kind of thing but this time it’s in comic form. Published in 2019 by Dark Horse, this has had two volumes with one being Kickstarter exclusive. It’s another one by a passionate author that sadly went under the radar. It seeks to basically be a an EC Horror for kids, with there being a few stories per book.I couldn’t find too much on author James Powell so he’s not exactly in the big time he seems cool. His website is down and needs the wayback to look at which may not be a good sign lol. There have been just these 2 and the last signs of life were in 2022, so not too far back at least?
Main illustrator Jetro Morales has done some Star Wars and Marvel work. That said, we got 5 stories so let’s see this comic fares:
Attack of the Killer Snowmen: A group of kids face evil snowmen after bugging a boy wizard. We start on a solid enough one. It flows well with a lot of action, with the kids being decently resourceful and proactive. Nice setup/payoff too. Clean explanation for what is going on but it ends so abruptly. We don’t quite address the deal with the boy wizard and why he did this, we see why it happens but it stops before dealing with anything. Final note is a bit confusing too. It’s mostly good, just feels a tiny bit emptier due to the abrupt ending.
Dead Lake: Some boys are out camping where they encounter a fish monster. I like the build up of this one, with the urban legend element. There’s a boy who cried wolf factor with this prankster kid as well. The monster is cool but the ending is abrupt here too. It just kind of stops. It could be tighter with a better ending but the little fun moments and artwork, which I’ll comment on later, helps it. It’s fine.
The Leaving: Two boys rake leaves and face danger. This is a super quick one at just a few pages. It's like a Weenies story and if you know me, you know that’s a compliment. Well sort. It has a cool bit of body horror but it’s quick so you don’t get much here. Weenies has done more with the “only a few pages” stories. Hell they even had a leaves one. Still, it works okay.
Teeth: A girl takes her brother’s tooth to get tooth fairy money and pays the price. This was pretty solid. The tooth fairy here is legit scary with a great design. The sibling dynamic is nice with them later having to bond to stop there and there’s some dark bits. It’s a goofy idea done straight with solid horror and a good twist to boost. That tooth fairy carries this and does that well. Good stuff.
The Curse of Cottonwood Court: A girl moves next door to the ghost of a mean man who died at the hands of nature. The artwork is a different guy and the expressions can look off at times but it’s not too bad. Otherwise we end on a solid one. I like the backstory and it flows well with plenty of action. The ghost guy is a good threat. Logic is a bit spotty and it’s not too deep but it was fun and the ending was alright. Fun one to end on.
Overall, this was…good. Someone I know read it which inspired me to do and they gassed it up. The artwork is the highlight, as it strikes that balance and does monsters very well. It can be fun and scary at the same time, and it carries this whole thing. The story themselves are mostly nothing too great. Fun but can feel a bit rushed although the last two carry this well.
Teeth was solid and spooky with Cottenwood being a close 2nd. Snowman was fun but with a weak ending and Dead Lake was kinda fun but felt like nothing special. Leaving was there too. It all mostly works but the storytelling could be a bit stronger
Still, I like this idea and the artwork is really good. It has the sauce and an use it well. I hope somehow we get more as kids horror comics is an untapped market with a lot of potential.
It didn't totally blow me away but all were fun to read and a couple were bangers. The highs and artwork help it. A fun time if you want good kids horror.
That's about it. I'll get to Percy Jackson as soon as I can and of course I have some other ideas too. See ya then.
Main illustrator Jetro Morales has done some Star Wars and Marvel work. That said, we got 5 stories so let’s see this comic fares:
Attack of the Killer Snowmen: A group of kids face evil snowmen after bugging a boy wizard. We start on a solid enough one. It flows well with a lot of action, with the kids being decently resourceful and proactive. Nice setup/payoff too. Clean explanation for what is going on but it ends so abruptly. We don’t quite address the deal with the boy wizard and why he did this, we see why it happens but it stops before dealing with anything. Final note is a bit confusing too. It’s mostly good, just feels a tiny bit emptier due to the abrupt ending.
Dead Lake: Some boys are out camping where they encounter a fish monster. I like the build up of this one, with the urban legend element. There’s a boy who cried wolf factor with this prankster kid as well. The monster is cool but the ending is abrupt here too. It just kind of stops. It could be tighter with a better ending but the little fun moments and artwork, which I’ll comment on later, helps it. It’s fine.
The Leaving: Two boys rake leaves and face danger. This is a super quick one at just a few pages. It's like a Weenies story and if you know me, you know that’s a compliment. Well sort. It has a cool bit of body horror but it’s quick so you don’t get much here. Weenies has done more with the “only a few pages” stories. Hell they even had a leaves one. Still, it works okay.
Teeth: A girl takes her brother’s tooth to get tooth fairy money and pays the price. This was pretty solid. The tooth fairy here is legit scary with a great design. The sibling dynamic is nice with them later having to bond to stop there and there’s some dark bits. It’s a goofy idea done straight with solid horror and a good twist to boost. That tooth fairy carries this and does that well. Good stuff.
The Curse of Cottonwood Court: A girl moves next door to the ghost of a mean man who died at the hands of nature. The artwork is a different guy and the expressions can look off at times but it’s not too bad. Otherwise we end on a solid one. I like the backstory and it flows well with plenty of action. The ghost guy is a good threat. Logic is a bit spotty and it’s not too deep but it was fun and the ending was alright. Fun one to end on.
Overall, this was…good. Someone I know read it which inspired me to do and they gassed it up. The artwork is the highlight, as it strikes that balance and does monsters very well. It can be fun and scary at the same time, and it carries this whole thing. The story themselves are mostly nothing too great. Fun but can feel a bit rushed although the last two carry this well.
Teeth was solid and spooky with Cottenwood being a close 2nd. Snowman was fun but with a weak ending and Dead Lake was kinda fun but felt like nothing special. Leaving was there too. It all mostly works but the storytelling could be a bit stronger
Still, I like this idea and the artwork is really good. It has the sauce and an use it well. I hope somehow we get more as kids horror comics is an untapped market with a lot of potential.
It didn't totally blow me away but all were fun to read and a couple were bangers. The highs and artwork help it. A fun time if you want good kids horror.
That's about it. I'll get to Percy Jackson as soon as I can and of course I have some other ideas too. See ya then.
May 20, 2019
I backed this series when it was a comic book project on Kickstarter. My ten-year old son loved it so much, I contacted the creator and purchased more copies to hand out at Halloween. It was a huge hit. Since then, my son asks me all the time when he can read more HOUSE OF FEAR, and now I have this book to give him. Can't wait for volume 2!
February 12, 2019
Oh I loved this. Creepshow for kids! When I was a kid, I always loved watching Tales From the Crypt but they were always too scary. This would be perfect for a young reader who wants to read something scary but not traumatizing. Wonderful.
May 11, 2019
Snowmen who fight back against a group of kids. A run-in with the tooth fairy. The evils that lurk in a innocent looking pile of leaves. These are some of the tales of terror found inside the doors of the House of Fear.
James Powell and Dark Horse Comics take young readers on a wild ride in this new collection. House of Fear is done brilliantly in the style of the E.C. Comics of the 1950s. Your host is a very creepy caretaker name Boyle. A fan of old school horror titles, I’ve seen my share of horror anthology comics and Boyle is perhaps the most unnerving narrator in quite a long time.
The stories themselves were pretty well crafted. The eerie artwork of Jethro Morales and Josh Jensen helps to add to the scare factor established by Powell. I’ve never seen a tooth fairy so sickening looking. Okay, the one from Teen Titans Go! Is pretty yucky looking; but not in a terrifying way.
Horror stories are known for their twist endings. Most of the stories here have some great endings. Though I did feel that the ending of the swamp monster story wasn’t complete. That tale had great scares. But where was the finale?
House of Fear was great read but it’s not all ages. The suggested reading age is for those 8-12 years old. With anything horror, it’s in the eye of the beholder for if the material is appropriate or not. Some 6 year olds can watch a scary story while some 14 year olds aren’t ready to get spooked.
Things in the House of Fear are scary. But it’s not gorey. There’s some bathroom humor. The creatures are the stuff of nightmares. But if you are a parent or guardian concerned that this is a slasher comic in the vein of Friday the 13th or SAW, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Have a young reader that loves scary stories? Then look no farther. House of Fear is your new destination for fun-filled frights.
James Powell and Dark Horse Comics take young readers on a wild ride in this new collection. House of Fear is done brilliantly in the style of the E.C. Comics of the 1950s. Your host is a very creepy caretaker name Boyle. A fan of old school horror titles, I’ve seen my share of horror anthology comics and Boyle is perhaps the most unnerving narrator in quite a long time.
The stories themselves were pretty well crafted. The eerie artwork of Jethro Morales and Josh Jensen helps to add to the scare factor established by Powell. I’ve never seen a tooth fairy so sickening looking. Okay, the one from Teen Titans Go! Is pretty yucky looking; but not in a terrifying way.
Horror stories are known for their twist endings. Most of the stories here have some great endings. Though I did feel that the ending of the swamp monster story wasn’t complete. That tale had great scares. But where was the finale?
House of Fear was great read but it’s not all ages. The suggested reading age is for those 8-12 years old. With anything horror, it’s in the eye of the beholder for if the material is appropriate or not. Some 6 year olds can watch a scary story while some 14 year olds aren’t ready to get spooked.
Things in the House of Fear are scary. But it’s not gorey. There’s some bathroom humor. The creatures are the stuff of nightmares. But if you are a parent or guardian concerned that this is a slasher comic in the vein of Friday the 13th or SAW, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Have a young reader that loves scary stories? Then look no farther. House of Fear is your new destination for fun-filled frights.
July 17, 2023
Definitely creepy vibes like R.L Stine’s Goosebumps and Grisly Tales for Gruesome Kids
November 1, 2022
Absolute love and admiration for this collection of kid-friendly horror comics. My obsession with horror comics began in the 70s when I was about 8 years old. I begged my grandpop to buy me a scary comic I saw at flea market. He balked, saying it would give me nightmares but I promised that it wouldn't until he caved. Well it absolutely gave me nightmares, but also an adoration of the genre!
House of Fear has such a nostalgic feel for me. I still read horror comics but the vibe has changed over the decades. HoF harkens back to simpler scares that rely on plot rather than gore. These tales speak to childhood fears (but in a really fun way) that are still entertaining enough for the adults. I'm so happy I found this!
Also be sure to check out Volume 2. It's possibly even better than Volume 1!
House of Fear has such a nostalgic feel for me. I still read horror comics but the vibe has changed over the decades. HoF harkens back to simpler scares that rely on plot rather than gore. These tales speak to childhood fears (but in a really fun way) that are still entertaining enough for the adults. I'm so happy I found this!
Also be sure to check out Volume 2. It's possibly even better than Volume 1!
February 14, 2020
It's tough to judge horror for kids because it'a always going to be toned down for its audience. I think Powell has the right idea focusing on monsters as opposed to ghosts & demons and the like. The art is decent, but my favorite was James Hislope's drawings of Boyle, the narrator, in between stories. I would read a second volume.
May 8, 2020
Good spooky stories. Various themes that seem innocent (leaves, teeth, fishing, snowmen, trees) but show the sinister side. A man (?) named Boyle is the caretaker of all the horrific goodness. While I am not a horror fan, I like thriller and this has a bit of both. Not for the sensitive reader, but aged 10 up should be best.
December 15, 2025
2.5 stars
I like the concept and see how this could be interesting for kids too. The Leaving was my favourite story. I found the choice of a physically disfigured bad guy telling these story to be a bit in poor taste.
I like the concept and see how this could be interesting for kids too. The Leaving was my favourite story. I found the choice of a physically disfigured bad guy telling these story to be a bit in poor taste.
October 13, 2019
A creepy collection of stories.
Want to Read
April 2, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
May 30, 2019
These stories strike the perfect balance between fun and scary for our 8 year-old daughter. She loves the imaginative plot lines, even bringing them up when we're hiking through the forest or playing in the snow. The illustrations are excellent as well. Fun for the whole family, highly recommended. We're looking forward to more stories in the future!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews