In this review of The Thing On The Doorstep #1, we’re introduced to Daniel Upton, Edward Derby, and their friendship that spans several years.
The Thing on the Doorstep #1
Story: H.P. Lovecraft
Writer: Simon Birks
Art and Main Cover: Willi Roberts
Variant Covers: Lyndon White, Willi Roberts
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Dates: February 11, 2026
The review contains spoilers
The Thing on the Doorstep #1 starts in 1933, at Arkham Sanitorium. A man comes by to visit one of the inmates…who he then shoots in the name of avenging Edward Derby. He’s arrested, and then the extended flashback can begin.
The friendship between Daniel and Edward kicked off in 1899, when Edward’s interest in the macabre (and a desire to hide from his nurse) brought him to the same art exhibit as Daniel. And over the next few years, it’s shown that Daniel and Edward keep meeting up. Sometimes Edward vents about his nurse, sometimes they catch up after the Derbys’ latest trip to Europe.
Eventually, Edward starts going to college at Miskatonic University, with an interest in studying the school’s famed collection of magic-related texts. At one point, he brings one of the books with him on a visit to Daniel’s place, eager to show his best friend what he’s been reading outside of his majors of English and French literature.
A bit of time passes, and Daniel has become a father. Edward comes by for another visit with his friend, finding that Daniel and his wife had named the baby after him. Over more time, his visits show him bonding with the kid, and Daniel’s wife Carla wonders about introducing Ed to some of her single friends.
By the time 1924 rolls around, Edward’s mother dies, and he’s not taking it well. His father thinks of taking him to Europe for a while to help get him a bit less out-of sorts.
After a few more years, Edward visits Daniel and the family again, but this time he’s asking for a favor. He mentions making a few like-minded friends, but things had gotten hectic and he needs money. Daniel agrees.
1928, Edward returns to the Miskatonic University’s library, feeling nostalgic for the old place. He asks about the old librarian, but is told that she’s not really around anymore. She hasn’t died, exactly. But she has gone insane and had to be locked away in the sanitorium.
I’m liking how The Thing on the Doorstep #1 is set up, first off. It pulls the reader in right away with the dramatic scene at the sanitorium, with (presumably) Daniel very clearly in tears over having to take this measure. It may be something he’s had to plan, but by no means was he looking forward to it.
And then we have the next nearly 30 years that show how Daniel’s friendship with Edward has progressed. The guy he’d shot at the institution definitely had Edward’s face, but he wasn’t Edward anymore.
The implication that some of these magic-related texts at Miskatonic can lead to madness and/or possession feels pretty strong so far, but it’s not outright stated just yet. There are hints about it along the way. For example, the last time the old librarian Celia is seen while Edward is a student, she’s reaching for one of the books that Ed had been so invested in reading. The last page of the issue? Padded room, drawing the sorts of arcane symbols that’d likely show up in a book like that on the walls in blood.
Also, during one of the earlier moments in Daniel and Edward’s friendship, Edward is looking through a book involving the arcane when this creepy guy approaches and asks to see it. It’s like he knows about what this book is, but doesn’t want to alarm anyone.
As for the group that Edward mentions that share similar interests…I definitely started wondering: “Did he admit to joining a cult just now?”.
There are a number of questions that come up with The Thing on the Doorstep #1, but the biggest one answered so far is that of why this dude was crying when he fired that shot.
Though one thing I do wonder: is that actually Daniel that fired the shot, or could it possibly be his son? The son would have been at least 22 by the time the opening scene happened, and over time, definitely resembles his father. And as he got older, he’d referred to Edward as an uncle.
The artwork in The Thing on the Doorstep #1 is lovely, and rather fitting for the setting. The color scheme is a little dark, but has a particular softness to it that helps give it a sort of vintage feel. Since the story takes place within the years of 1899 and 1933, it just feels right.
Final Thoughts
A story of friendship, with the dark undercurrent of madness (or possibly possession), The Thing on the Doorstep #1 serves as an excellent first chapter. It’s a beautifully written introduction to the story itself, showing the evolution of a friendship that ultimately ends in tragedy.
