A Sickness in the Family

DC/Vertigo Crime

Written by Denise Mina; art by Antonio Fuso

Nov 01, 2010 Web Exclusive By Jeremy Nisen Bookmark and Share


One of the Vertigo Crime original hardcovers, A Sickness in the Family sets a compellingly creepy mood. The focus is on the Usher family, who may look normal and even enviable on the surface, but cracks in the family facade offer a view at selfishness, philandering, corruption, and disappointment. These cancerous traits quickly bubble up to the surface, becoming bases of accusations as members of the family start dying, murdered in their family home.

Some stilted dialog and certain by-the-numbers aspects to the plotting and resolution stand in the way of this book being a “can’t miss.” As much of a horror book and psycho-thriller as a crime tale, A Sickness in the Family’s best quality is the unnerving tension throughout the book, which borders on masterful. It’s a fine synthesis of art and writing that leaves a reader twitchy and tense. (www.dccomics.com/vertigo)

Author rating: 7/10

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Average reader rating: 7/10

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