Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher Review: Poe Approved

Edgar Allan Poe’s stories have been adapted so many times that many can recite them by heart. But what if someone would combine the themes of both stories and make it into one? That is what Eisner Hall of Fame comics writer Richard Corben has done with this adaptation of “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

Richard Corben decided to spice up Poe’s classic tale a bit by combining it with Poe’s other short story “The Oval Portrait.” This may seem like a totally out there idea, but once you know the plots of both stories you’ll see that it could work.

The main character, Roderick, has been made out to be more of an obsessed individual than in the original. This obsession with his twin sister, Madeline, and using her as a model for his art gives a new, more sinister side to him. It also fleshes out Madeline’s fear of her brother which makes her more of a pitiable character.

The only real downside is that the comic ends with a “To Be Continued.” This is story isn’t really that long and it would’ve been easily made into a 90-page graphic novel. Another downside is Mag the Hag as the narrator. He’s out of place and the story would’ve been better off without him.

Both Poe and Corben use gothic styles; Poe in his narrative style and Corben with his art. Put together and it’s like magic. Corben took Poe’s world and brought it to life with scary imagery and characters that are more scary than real. Even the house itself is scary.

Corben’s adaptation of Poe’s classic tale is one of the best adaptations to date despite some minor bumps. With creepy artwork and a daring idea that works well, Poe himself would approve.