Our Brilliant Ruin: Horror at Crane Mansion is described as: “upstairs-downstairs drama meets existential horror in this Edwardian-inspired comics tale of high society and creeping dread. Created in collaboration with Studio Hermitage and in association with the Our Brilliant Ruin TTRPG, the comic explores a gilded Edwardian setting where intricate social ties of allegiance and conflict are threatened by the presence of the Ruin—a mysterious force that turns creatures and people into horrific monsters.”

Published by Dark Horse Comics, Horror at Crane Mansion collects the first three issues into a graphic novel, and features writing by Cullen Bunn, art by Christopher Mitten, colors by Piky Hamilton, letters by Frank Cvetkovic, and covers by Helen Mask.

***WARNING***SPOILERS AHEAD***WARNING***SPOILERS AHEAD




Horror at Crane Mansion is about an investigator, Elizabeth Ranseur, who’s been hired to vet a wealthy woman’s suitors at her estate with her assistant, Arielle Wren. In Chapter One, Bunn introduces key characters and name-drops guilds that they’re associated with, but doesn’t explain what those terms mean or how much weight they bear for the story being told. Ending on a cliffhanger, Chapter Two opens with a grisly discovery and a mystery that forces Ranseur to switch gears lest anyone else get hurt. Here, Ranseur proposes that a monster is the culprit. We are introduced to the dark forces churning below the surface: The Ruin, a mysterious force that twists a human into a monstrous creature. Thinking quickly, the culprit is believed to be the host’s mother, Lady Milidreth, but is exposed as the host, Constance, herself. With the identity of the murderer revealed, the next piece in Ranseur’s investigation unfolds in Chapter Three. Though it is obvious Constance is affected by The Ruin–it is not clear how until rage triggers her. The lady’s ballgown, once worn by her mother, is the source of the taint, turning her into a chimera. In the penultimate chapter, knowing that The Ruin’s source and the murderer has been identified, Ranseur must eliminate the threat. Constance’s childhood friend and crush, Judith, desperately tries to help her friend remember who she is to restore her humanity. Though she attempts to jog her memory with a story, Ranseur dusts the room in powdered sugar and lights a match. Writhing in the flames, the chimera dies, and the investigators close the case.

In the confines of a dark Edwardian setting, it’s clear there are societal mechanisms present at Crane Mansion that are not fully fleshed out. While the factions were the most mysterious and unclear aspects of the story, the emphasis on Ranseur’s investigation at Crane Manor kept the stakes focused and manageable. This allowed the setting’s horrors–THE RUIN–to take center stage. Not only was the monster interesting, the creation of the chimera was refreshing. Instead of chanting incantations, grafting skin, or changing due to a bit, The Ruin was found within the confines of a gown. Wearing that fabric changed her into something else, something monstrous, and she could not regain her humanity. What’s more, The Ruin tainted the family, forcing them to pretend that the horrors didn’t exist. Without explaining what The Ruin truly is or where it comes from, Horror at Crane Mansion relays unknown horrors are often more dangerous than what can be dealt with.

Horror at Crane Mansion is a well-paced story that works well as an introduction for the TTRPG, because it’s atmospheric, provides a clear example of the type of investigation a player can expect during the game, and hints there’s a lot more setting to latch onto. The choices made, from the colors to the art to the dialogue, are all expertly managed. If you’re curious about the new TTRPG, this comic will scratch that itch. If you’re simply a fan of murder mysteries, pick up Our Brilliant Ruin for a story that touches on society’s ills and the horrors in plain sight.

Review provided by Allie Brooks.

Tags | comics, dark horse, review