For people that grew up with fond memories of DC's darker side of the universe, they will see many familiar faces. Yet those faces have evolved. Evolved to fit the modern Vertigo Universe that runs parallel, yet perpendicular with DC proper whenever necessary. I know in many articles I've lamented the lack of a cohesive setting within the two major comic companies. However, when it comes to the Vertigo line and especially this all new House of Mystery, I am completely fine with a little continuity chaos. I think you will as well. The opening pages sets the stage perfectly. DC's version of EC Comics Cryptkeeper, Cain, finds himself without his home. A home that filled reader imaginations with horrific glee has up and vanished; only to reappear somewhere between the Bleed and Limbo that maintains the Vertigo setting. I know, it sounds a lot like an ongoing series and not an anthology.

Well, you'd be right and you'd be wrong!

Matthew Sturges pens the tale of young Miss Keele. A woman running from her insane visions. Visions of a house she can't stop drawing. Even when she feels her life is in danger as hovering spectres chase her through an Austin neighborhood, she clutches her drawings as if they a newborn child. Inter cut with Keele's fears, the reader receives a slow and wholly intriguing introduction to the myriad of characters serving time in this all new House of Mystery. A house with a pub that never closes and only charges a well spun yarn for a drink and a table.

Enter Bill Willingham of Fables fame.

Taking a cue from his darker fairy tales, Bill Willingham gives to the reader a throughly entrancing and disgusting tale about precious Hungry Sally. A simple tale about a young girl and her Prince Charming. After reading this tale, you might think twice about the purity of marriage. Still, her tale told. Her seat earned, Hungry Sally joins this fantastic cast of characters and their tales.

What of poor Miss Keele?

Well, I don't know yet. No one does. Hers is but one of thousands of tales behind each door in the House of Mystery. Vertigo has a long history of quality stories. With this all new House of Mystery, the opportunities at limitless. In the words of Matthew Sturges. "This is a book where you can have a pirate, a psychic detective, a spaceman, a French romantic poet and an NYU film student sitting at a table having a beer together. It's a writer's dream come true."
Well Mr. Sturges, it is a reader's dream come true as well.

Run out now and get your own key to this new House of Mystery.

Comics are at a point where the characters still carry weight, but it’s the arcs, and the writers, that are getting the draw. Brubaker on Captain America. Vaughn with Y the Last Man. Kirkman's Walking Dead and Marvel Zombies. Ennis on Punisher. Ellis on Transmetropolitan. Johns on Superman. Check your trades shelves. Which ones keep moving? Dark Knight Returns by Miller. Superman for All Seasons by Loeb and Sale. Birthright by Waid and Yu.

Readers are obviously just looking for good stories, first and foremost. Comic editors seem to think that chaining themselves to the continuity addicts’ whims and whines is the way to go. This makes absolutely no sense.

But Comic Editors can't help but try to fuse bone, gristle, and tendon and create this tortured, broken spine of continuity, attaching gimpy limbs like John Madden crafting a turducken for Thanksgiving.

You wanna revitalize comics? You wanna get new readers? You wanna have better film adaptations by hungry studios looking to pick that turducken clean? Jettison continuity completely.

Take a character. Match him with a writer and an artist. Give him 12 issues. Let him craft a story arc. Let that arc have a beginning and an ending. Let them play with as much or as little of the characters history as possible. And once that year is over? Hit the re-set button, and let another artist/writer combo play around in the sandbox. Every book is one part in a 12-issue miniseries event, every year.

This way, you can pay respect to a character's legacy, their continuity, but not be chained to it. Let them pick and choose which parts of the mythology to highlight. Which ones to re-invent. Let the story possibilities open up the way they want to, without the choke chain of continuity and semi-professional nitpickers who buy comics to draw timelines instead of to enjoy the stories. These same people watch movies just to update the "goofs" section of imdb. At some point, catering to these people should seem like a really bad call.

Cater to people who enjoy good stories with great characters whose potential doesn’t have to be limited to what came before. Give some of the best writers in the industry a yearlong crack at some of the most venerated characters we know, and then wipe the slate clean. You’re not gonna lose readers. If anything, you'll gain more casual fans. Because it’s not the infantilization of comics that keeps casuals away; It’s the intimidating, stories-tall, feet-thick wall of continuity that comics keeps adding to for reasons I'm not sure editors even UNDERSTAND anymore.

Let's do this wall like they did in Berlin. Except maybe without so much Hasselhoff playing. Let’s open the game up. If Hollywood can cherry pick from comics eras and mash them into cinematic stories that feel just as faithful and alive to comics fans AND regular audiences (Iron Man/Spider-Man 2/Batman Begins) why can’t comics do the same thing?

Continuity is a tumor. Cut it off.

Again, a huge thanks and welcome to Fatboy Roberts. If you agree (or don't) drop him a line at the Cort and Fatboy Message Boards... I know I will. Oh yea, keep them votes coming in at the Willamette Week's Best of 2008. You all rock!- AD

Every year I run into someone as I leave the event asking me if I saw this thing or talked to this person. Each time I belt out a "dammit, no! Where were they?" Small regrets not withstanding, that is one of the joys of Stumptown, there are so many stories just itching to get out, you can't possibly hear or read them all. I never seem to have enough money either. What? You thought I was all against the consumer aspect? Absolutely not. I know how this business runs and until the day comes when a comic book creator can pay their mortgage with their books, we need to make money. So, I again say that I wish I had more money. I wish I could buy every single book, 'zine, pamphlet, and funky custom shirt I find. First, I like being that guy that says, "I was there when they sold black and white books with 20# Copier Paper from Office Depot." Also, I know how it feels for a fellow human being to hand you a material representation of your hard work. (It feels even better when you don't know the person from Adam). Alas, I never bring enough coin. Not all that shocking when I remind myself that I am just like the artist behind the table.

Still, I want to say a few words to those I was able to support...

James Ratcliffe - Thanks for putting up with all my random questions about your various styles. As one that can't even pencil a decent stick figure, you impress the hell out of me.

Tara McPherson – I thought that was your work up on Juno's walls in, well, Juno. Glad you made it out to little 'ol Portland.

Super Real Graphics – I wish I could have grabbed one of everything, alas only one. Glad it was Gnome. The concept of a lone Garden Gnome protecting humanity is simply too juicy to pass up. Gnome was a seriously fun read, I hope to see more!

Dr. Eldritch – Don't feel bad, I rarely remember people I met once a year ago either.

Nolan C. Kidwell – Dammit man, your illustrated comic / cook book is a genius idea. As a writer and a damn good cook, I feel deep shame for not thinking of it! And yes, Portland does indeed have the best coffee.

Family Style – From one nerdy, dice-tossing, Mana tapping, two-fisted Dungeon Masta' to another, hail and well met! Okay, that was a little sad, still, the stories are a blast.

Jordan M Dalton – Before they were popular, zombies have always been my weak spot. I wish I could have snagged me some Jesus Hates Zombies. Really dug what I saw, I will definitely go looking for more.

The Homeless Channel – First, congrats Matt on the Eisner Nomination, can't imagine how it feels. Next, how much did you pay for that badass jacket in Vietnam? Finally, Kirsten, I never knew the life of a cigarette girl was so damn hardcore. While I'm not a smoker, you're comic might have converted me!

Kickstart – You were the first table I hit Saturday, your passionate speech set the stage perfectly. While I love those little scooters, I never thought I would enjoy a 'zine about them, thanks. And, thank you for the image of Dave Gibbons as a Super Mod back in the day!

Steam Crow Press – Hope I didn't make your lunch go cold, I feel bad for not getting a book. I did fall in love with your After Halloween book! Reminded me of a modern Edward Gorey with some sprinkling of Tim Burton. I want to see more.

North World – Seriously, when does the RPG come out? Great mix of rural wonder and old school wildness romp... With a heart.

Hereville – You get the award for the best pitch ever! No, I've not yet read the best comic about a dragon-fighting 11-year old Orthodox Jewish Girl. Now, I'm glad I have!

Girl Wonder – Like I told Dr. Eldritch, don't feel bad. This was one crazy and packed weekend. Just glad we got to talk about stuff for a while. And, the shirt looks fantastic. I am glad there are groups like you out there, I'll do my part.

Guapo Comics and Coffee – First, Guapo is totally my secret spy-chef name. I don't know who told you, but we need to talk! Well, technically, I am El Guapo, so I guess I can let it slide. I look forward to checking out your store.

Steve Lieber – What I can say? Thanks for putting up with all my rambling questions about the pending Whiteout film. Just glad I didn't totally fanboy out on you. Seriously, thanks for taking the time to chat with this reader. Love your work and can't wait for the next book! (Let me know when do I get that Periscope Studio tour). :)

Like I said, I stopped and talked at every table and yet never seem to catch everything. If you've never made it to the Stumptown Comics Fest, you're doing your imagination and mind a huge disservice. Well, keeping checking the website and lock in dates for next year. It is only going to get bigger and better. To those I missed, drop me a line. Just because the Fest is over doesn't mean I stop talking about comics. Besides, convention season just started and I got me some serious 4-color reading to get to!