Mr. Vertigo

Helen of Wyndhorn
Tom King, story; Bilquis Evely, art; Matheus Lopes, colors; Clayton Cowles, letters
Dark Horse Books, 2025

Helen Cole was called back to her grandfather’s grand Wyndorn House estate after the suicide of her father, C.K. Cole, the famous pulp writer and creator of the popular warrior character Othan. The story opens with a scene from the framing story that demonstrates the enduring appeal of Cole’s stories: a writer interviews the elderly Lilith Appleton, Helen’s governess, about her first visit to Wyndhorn.

The scene shifts back to Lilith’s first meeting with Helen. She was sent down to Texas to bring her back to the estate. There, she encountered a sixteen-year-old wastrel, whose only upbringing had been gained while accompanying her father on his drunken escapades. It is a wonder that any writing got done.  Helen wreaks drunken havoc upon her arrival at the estate; however, her chaotic ways begin to soften as she discovers a lifetime of secrets hiding within the seemingly endless rooms and hallways of the labyrinthine manor.

Once she connects with her grandfather, she discovers that outside its walls, within the woods, dwell the legendary adventures that once were the world of her father’s stories. It turns out that C.K. Cole was not imagining fantasy worlds in his stories: he was merely recording the actual adventures of his father in the Other World. Helen becomes an enthusiastic participant in her grandfather’s travels until falling out of favor. But in the end they reconcile, Helen becomes the legend she was always meant to be. and the saga continues as Lilith’s inteview tapes are passed on to another generation of Othan fans.

The book is an epic sword and sorcery fantasy tale quite different from Tom King’s usual stories, many of which have involved classic DC Comics characters. It was nominated for several Eisner awards, with Bilquis Evely deservedly taking Best Penciller/Inker for her gorgeous Victorian inspired artwork. I was completely taken with the contrast between the real world and the Other World, but not so much with the framing story about the C.K. Cole fan narrative: I thought that it added an unnecessary narrative layer, complicating the storytelling flow. The collection features a sketchbook section and bonus art by Walt Simonson, Greg Smallwood, Clay Mann, Elsa Charretier, Tula Lotay, Massimo Carnivale, Fabio Moon, and Jill Thompson.