Deadman Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love

With the third volume out this month, Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love by Sarah Vaughn with art by Lan Medina can now be experienced in full, with a collected volume out this summer. The book is a perfect mix of Gothic romance, vintage haunted house movies, and classic DC super-horror, built around the character of Boston Brand, also known as Deadman. Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love is the story of a woman named Berenice who faces a ghostly mystery even as she deals with her tumultuous love life, caught between her boyfriend and her nonbinary best friend. ComicsAlliance talked with Vaughn about the origins of the book, the blending of genres, and the importance of its queer lead characters.

Sarah Vaughn, Lan Medina and Jose Villarrubia's Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love --- while not officially a DC Rebirth title --- has been one of the most exciting titles released in the Rebirth era, mixing gothic horror, romance, and superheroes in a way the character was always crying out for. The third and final issue is out next week, and DC has provided us with an exclusive extended preview of what is sure to be a somber and emotional finale.

Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love is a superhero book, a haunted house story, and a romance comic. In assembling a playlist to accompany the comic, we've attempted to strike a similar balance, highlighting queer artists, and including a love song or two, while creating a spooky, haunted atmosphere. This playlist incorporates dark mansions, and perhaps forbidden love, and at least one dead man.

Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love is one of the best comics coming out right now, and it looks likely to cement its status judging by this preview of the third and final issue, written by Sarah Vaughn with art by Lan Medina, and a gorgeous cover by Stephanie Hans.

2016 has been quite a year, and we can only imagine what 2017 will bring. As I look back at what superhero comics have been in the past year, I can't help but think about what the future holds. DC Rebirth, I admit as someone who was skeptical going in, has overall led to some great comics. Civil War II has been less encouraging, although there have still been some very good Marvel comics this year. DC and Marvel comics seem simultaneously to always be relaunching and never changing. But there are changes creeping in around the edges if you pay attention. With that in mind, I've put together five hopes --- five suggested resolutions if you will --- for what I'd like to see from mainstream superhero comics in 2017.

Check out the best romance and erotica comics in 2016, including our critics' picks and the comics you voted the runner up and winner in this category!

Check out the best horror comics in 2016, including our critics' picks, and the comics you voted the runner up and winner in this category!

I've expressed my excitement about Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love plenty of times before. Written by Sarah Vaughn with art by Lan Medina, it's a gothic haunted house story that's simultaneously retro in its tone and progressive in its politics. DC has provided ComicsAlliance with an exclusive look at Medina's design process for the book, as well as art from both Medina and guest artist Phil Hester.

Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love, by Sarah Vaughn and Lan Medina, has, with just one issue, proven to be one of the most interesting DC projects of the year, and that only makes it more frustrating that it only comes out every two months. But thankfully, we've got an unlettered black and white preview of December's Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #2.

Two comics about the afterlife, and one comic with Composite Superman on the cover: December's going to be a good month for DC Comics. ComicsAlliance has an exclusive first look at the covers and solicitations for Midnighter and Apollo #3, Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #2, and Super Powers #2. They're all great covers, but they couldn't be more different in tone!