When Horror Dresses in Victorian Lace
The gaslit splendor of 19th-century New York hides nightmares that defy reason. Daphne Byrne features a 14-year-old teenager whose rage grows alongside an insidious presence within her body. The sudden death of her father leaves her grappling not only with grief but with a vulnerable mother who falls into the clutches of occultists promising to contact the deceased husband. What begins as a family drama transforms into a battle for her very soul.
The narrative explores the social oppression of the Victorian era through the prism of supernatural horror. As Daphne struggles to free her mother from charlatans, she discovers something far more dangerous is stalking her. The entity she calls "Brother" manifests appetites that defy all description, placing the young woman at the center of a supernatural storm that threatens to consume her. 🕯️
In the Victorian era, where emotions are repressed and appearances are everything, horror finds its perfect breeding ground
The Elements That Define This Gothic Tale
The story combines historical rigor with the most visceral psychological horror, creating a unique atmosphere in the DC universe.
- Authentic Victorian setting with its hypocrisy and social repression
- 19th-century occultism and the business of spiritual deception
- Progressive possession that questions identity and agency
- Mother-daughter relationship distorted by grief and manipulation
The "Brother" entity represents not only a supernatural threat but the manifestation of all the rage and frustration Daphne must repress as a young woman in Victorian society.
The Creative Dream Team Behind the Terror
The series unites exceptional talents from different media to create quality horror. Laura Marks brings her experience with complex television narratives.
- Laura Marks from Ray Donovan and The Expanse in her comic book debut
- Kelley Jones, a horror legend with work on Sandman and Batman
- Curated by Joe Hill for DC's Hill House Comics line
- Unique fusion of modern sensibility and classic gothic aesthetic
The combination of Marks's character-driven writing with Jones's expressive and atmospheric art creates a horror experience that is both emotionally and visually impactful.
Horror as a Metaphor for Victorian Repression
The most terrifying aspect of Daphne Byrne is not the supernatural elements but the social truths they reveal. The possession functions as a metaphor for the emotional and sexual repression of the era.
The "Brother" entity can be seen as the manifestation of everything Daphne cannot openly express in a society that values appearance over authenticity. Horror becomes the vehicle to explore universal themes through a specific period lens. 👁️
And if you thought Victorian society was suffocating, imagine having a supernatural "Brother" in your head critiquing your table manners while developing unspeakable appetites 😉