The Nice House on the Lake and The Nice House by the Sea are two post-apocalyptichorror comic book limited series created by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno, and published by DC Comics through their Black Label and Vertigo imprints. The Nice House on the Lake debuted on June 1, 2021, and concluded on December 27, 2022. This first series focuses on the mysterious Walter, who invites ten[a] of his friends to an idyllic house in the countryside, only for them to witness the end of the world and be told they are not allowed to leave. The series received critical acclaim, winning four Eisner Awards including the 2022 award for Best New Series.
A second "cycle" in the same setting, The Nice House by the Sea, began on July 24, 2024.[1] This series follows a different household consisting of exemplary humans selected by Max, another member of Walter's species.[2] In October 2024, DC relaunched their Vertigo imprint and began publishing some Black Label titles, including The Nice House by the Sea, as Vertigo titles.[3][4][5]
Synopsis
The Nice House on the Lake
The enigmatic Walter invites ten[a] of his close friends and acquaintances to spend a week at an opulent lake house, initially believed to be in Wisconsin. On the group's first night at the house, they discover to their horror that the outside world is ending.
Walter reveals that he is part of an alien species who intend to destroy the Earth and study the ten humans inside the house. He explains to the terrified group that they can live without want in this house forever, but they can never leave. As time passes, the group discovers that not only will anything they request be delivered to them, but they can no longer die or even be injured. The group then starts to see their idyllic existence as a gilded cage, and resolve to uncover the truth about Walter and the house – and maybe even save what's left of the world.
The Nice House by the Sea
The second "cycle" follows Max, another enigmatic figure who has handpicked a group to live in a beautiful house in a Mediterranean setting after the end of the world. In contrast to Walter's group of friends (accomplished professionals in their own right, but chosen by Walter out of personal affection), the members of Max's group have attained some of the highest positions and awards in their respective fields, but were not personally connected before arriving at the house.
Characters
In issue #10 of The Nice House on the Lake, Walter reveals that he (and by implication, Max and others of their species) were tasked with identifying and preserving ten exceptional human beings who embody different core aspects of humanity.[6] Where the in-text description of a character varies from the "core aspects", it is given in parentheses.
Characters
Aspect
The Nice House on the Lake
The Nice House by the Sea
(the alien)
Walter
Max
The Artist
Ryan Cane (The Artist), the youngest and newest selection, with the fewest connections to other members of the group Reginald Madison (The Painter), high-school friend of Walter[b]
^It is revealed in issue #10 that Walter had initially invited Reg as the Artist of the group and even involved him in designing the house and its surroundings. When Reg learned of Walter's plans and resisted, Walter replaced him with Ryan in the house but kept Reg isolated elsewhere on the premises.
^A trans woman, referred to as "Norm" in high school flashback scenes.
^Naya dies in issue #10, leaving the house with the "correct" number of occupants, but with two Artists and no Doctor.
