Grimm Tales of Terror 9

The famous urban legend about an escaped homicidal mental patient stalking a couple in their car comes to life in Zenescope’s newest twist on the popular tale.

Another classic staple in the horror genre is brought to life in the latest issue of Grimm Tales of Terror.  In typical fashion, the issue starts off with two teens “getting better acquainted” in a convertible.  Their make-out session is soon cut short by a passing police officer.  From there, things get even worse for the teens as the escaped mental patient begins to terrorize them.  Unfortunately for them, there’s more going on here than they realize.

Overall a good idea.  This type of story fits in perfectly with the rest of the series, but I felt it lacked substance.  Maybe substance isn’t the right word, but it definitely lacked something.  It was pretty predictable (at least for me it was) and it just seemed like everything happened so quickly.  Which seems to be the main problem with this series lately (I may have touched on this already), but it would be nice to have a bit of a story established before all of the hacking and slashing begins.  If I’m going to be reading a horror story, then the suspense needs to be there.  I mean, the teens end up at the gas station a page after the intro, the escaped killer is briefly mentioned and then the killing begins.  With this series in particular, I may be asking too much, but a build-up to all of the murdering would make the deaths that much more impactful.  I guess the short horror story works better with the fairy tales because the majority of the people know the characters and stories already, so when things turn deadly, it’s a bit more of a shocker.  However, when it comes to the urban legends, like this one, I feel that more of a back-story is needed to really drive the point home (no pun intended). 

I really don’t see changes to this format any time soon, but here’s hoping that as the series progresses, the suspense factor is a little more well maintained. A good book to keep up with your collection, but not really one to judge the series by. The killer is still out there, so watch yourself when you go to pick up this one. For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Tales of Terror 8

A lonely man picks up a young hitchhiker along the road. She turns out to be sweet and grateful for the ride. But what happens when a friendly ride turns into something else?

This one was pretty short and sweet, so to speak, or at least the pacing made it seem that way.  Honestly, the story went by so fast that there really isn’t all that much I can say about it without giving too much away.  It begins, like all of the previous installments with Death regaling a dark story to the locals.  A lone driver picks up a hitchhiker and things seem to be going swimmingly between the new travelling companions.  However, things take a turn for the worse when one of them makes an unwanted move towards the other.  Things soon spiral out of control as one of the wayfarers heads toward their doom.

I probably would have liked this story better if it didn’t blaze by so quickly.  What story there was, was pretty good.  If anything, Steve Yockey should have expounded more on the content.  I can see the two main characters build up their relationship, at least a bit more before the hammer falls and it all goes to hell.  The build-up is what makes these suspense thriller stories so good, but this one just kind of jumped the gun a little too quickly.  So, like I said, Dave and Misty, the two travelers, really needed that bound to make me care about what happens to either one of them.  This is one of the weaker stories in the series, but decent nonetheless.  It’ll definitely make a person think twice about the whole hitchhiking business.

The open road can be a long and lonely place and with that much distance, you’re bound to come across some unusual characters.  Oftentimes friendly, but sometimes malicious.  So, if you’re feeling adventurous then pick up issue 8 of Grimm Tales of Terror, for a chilling, yet quick read.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Tales of Terror 7

As the legend goes, if you say those words three times while looking in a mirror, the ghost of Bloody Mary will appear behind you. But what happens when an innocent ghost story becomes much more real?

The urban legend of Bloody Mary has been around for years.  There may be some variations in the telling, but it all boils down to the same thing, and evil spirit that lurks in the mirror, just waiting for someone foolish enough to call her forth.  A favorite amongst slumber parties which is where this very incident occurs.  Having lost her mother, Mary Wright believed her new step-mother to be the culprit to her mother's sudden demise, she just needed to prove it.  Her friends of course were rather skeptical, but Mary was sure of it.  So, when the girls summoned Bloody Mary during their slumber party, Mary became determined to find out her step-mother’s true motives, especially when Bloody Mary kept on appearing before her.  She got her chance and Mary found out more than wanted to.

A pretty good issue, although there were too many characters named Mary, so it got a little confusing at times.  Ralph Tedesco kept the murder mystery and revenge plot going good, but the one thing that bothered me, yet again was the dual artists on this book.  The artwork was good, don’t get me wrong, but it would be nice to see an issue done all the through by one artist.  Zenescope has been notorious for this with a lot of their series.  When I read something, I like a steady flow of the art to coincide with the story, but when the style changes half-way through, it become distracting.  Something like that usually indicates a time difference, like a flashback or something, but in this case, it’s just a swap off for someone unknown reason.  Art problems aside, I enjoyed this issue and I see the story quality increasing as the series goes on.

So, be careful of what you say in the mirror because you may be calling forth more than you bargained for.  However, I would recommend going to check this issue out for a great story of murder and revenge.  Don’t worry though, you won’t have to say its name three times in the mirror to conjure up this tale.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Tales of Terror 6

A young girl fears that a monster lurks under her bed. . . but what if the monster’s intentions aren’t as evil as it appears?

Everyone has heard stories of things living under their beds when they were little and this young girl is no different.  As an orphan, Mindy finds herself the target of ridicule and abuse, purely because she is the youngest and is a girl.  The only friend she’s had is an older girl named Rose, who tends to skip out on the orphanage as much as possible.  However, something shady is going on and the creature under the bed is going to make its presence known.

So, this issue wasn’t too bad, not my favorite, but good nonetheless.  The thing that stood out the most to me was the idea that the monster under the bed wasn’t necessarily there to scare a person, but more to protect them from the evils of the world.  Whenever anyone thinks of something living under their bed, they immediately think that it’s out to get them, especially when you’re a little kid.  But, when you introduce the creature as a guardian, the safety factor goes through the roof.  I mean, what little kid wouldn’t want their own personal monster to watch over them?  Here we have Mindy, who’s been tormented for most of her life, and she finally has something looking out for her.  She doesn’t have to be afraid anymore, which could make her a power player down the road if this series is anything like the original Grimm Fairy Tales line.  The only thing that bugged me was the hiccups in the artwork, especially with the eyes in one panel in particular.  The line work by Claudia Balboni looked great overall, but when the characters look like they have crazy at times when they’re not supposed to, it kind of throws things off.

Grimm Tales of Terror number 6 ups the ante in the creepiness and introduces a potential new hero (or villain) in stories down the line. Definitely worth the pick-up for this possible origin story if anything else. If your holiday is a bit too cheery for your liking, then grab a copy to even things out. Just be careful though and don’t mess with Mindy. For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Tales of Terror 5

A secret waits in the attic of an old home, and a twelve-year-old is both intrigued and terrified of what he might find if he goes upstairs.

This issue on the plight of an attention starved child, living with his waspish parents.  The cliché elongated dinner table is present and located in a large open dining room, all classic elements of the cold, uncaring family.  However, the boy isn’t a spoiled brat or anything, quite the opposite actually.  All he wants is someone to pay attention to him, so he turns to a toy cowboy for solace.  But because this is called Grimm Tales of Terror and not “Happy Ending Stories” things take a turn for the worse. 

Not a lot can really be commented on in this issue, lest I give away the ending and then what would be the point?  What I can say is that the story wasn’t too bad, but I felt that this has been the weakest in the series so far.  Because they were trying to fit a story within a story, which worked for some past issues, it felt rushed and it was over before you could really get a grasp for what the characters were trying to convey.  The climax itself skipped over some important details, so it just wasn’t as impactful as Meredith Finch had intended.  I mean, I read it feeling more confused and annoyed than shocked (in fact, I’m still not sure I even got what it meant).  If you have to extend the story by a page or two in order to fill in those extra tidbits then by all means, sacrifice a few of those ads, the reader will be much better off for it.  Aside from all of that, the story was a decent read.  If you’ve liked the series so far, at the very least snag this one to fill in the gap between 4 and 6.

With this latest iteration into the Grimm Tales of Terror series, it tried to do too much at once and in turn fell short of a good story.  Joel Ojeda did a great job with the linework, so the book has that going for it.  If you’re a newcomer to the series, I would recommend grabbing one of the previous issues before grabbing this one.  They will definitely provide a much better view of the series than this issue will.  Here’s hoping the next issue will help the series step up its game.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

2014 Grimm Fairy Tales Holiday Special

Every year, Krampus surfaces during the holidays to punish humans most deserving of his wrath.  However, the being known to bring death on Christmas wasn’t always a vengeful killer.  The origin of the most feared and ruthless monster of the holiday season is finally revealed!

It’s Christmas time and Sela and Belinda are determined to get the new batch of Realm Knights into the holiday spirit.  Some are taking to rather easily, while others are completely lost as to the purposes of the traditions.  However, all is not well as Sela senses the Krampus nearby and goes to confront him, knowing that his appearance could only mean impending doom. 

This issue was kinda neat as it gives you the backstory on the Krampus.  Turns out, like most villains, he wasn’t all that bad to begin with.  What I can tell you is that the Krampus originally went by the name Andrzej and was the lord of a peaceful village.  The village and it’s lord were renowned for its sense of compassionate justice.  Which begs the age-old question; what makes a good man go bad?  For one possible solution, you’ll just have to read the issue to find out.  Anne Toole gave the book a lot of personality, showing how each of the new recruits is trying to figure out the timeless Christmas traditions.  Like Wulf taking advantage of the mistletoe, or Skye trying to determine what makes her drink “mulled”.  Not everyone comes from the same background and none of these had any semblance of a traditional background, so it’s cool to see how each one deals with the holiday.  Also of note is the excellent line work done by Butch Mappa.  Everything looks very smooth and fluid and the characters designs have the slightest hint of anime inspiration that makes them standout.  I look forward to seeing more pages from Mr. Mappa in the future.  There wasn’t anything I could find lacking with this book, so this is definitely one worth picking up.

The 2014 Grimm Fairy Tales Holiday Special is a story about bringing families together and also tearing them apart. But, it also shows the lengths a parent is willing to go to in order to protect their child. So, if you feel like your holiday is beginning to drag and is in need of a bit of a boost, then check out this latest one-shot in the holiday series. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a throw-down between a magic-wielding hottie and a child-stealing demon. For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Fairy Tales 103

Belinda once served the Dark Horde, the most powerful of evil in all of the Realms. When she learned of the Horde’s involvement in her son’s disappearance, she became an ally to Sela. But can Belinda be trusted to shape the minds of young highborns at Arcane Acre... or will she use her position of power for evil once again?

The new kids in town have been recruited to take over the mantle that the original Realm Knights had dawned.  Wulf, Ali, Hailey, Skye and Violet are to be the new protectors of the realms, all under the watchful tutelage of Belinda.  However, not all of them are too sure about Belinda’s intentions, especially Violet.  Her life of always being on the run, had made her extra wary and she’s bound and determined to figure out Belinda’s true intentions.

Trust is a key factor in this issue, trust between a student and teacher and trust between a mother and daughter.  Belinda hasn’t been the most trustworthy person in her past, in fact she’s tried to kill Sela on more than one occasion, so it’s safe to say that some of the students are a little unsure of her.  After everything she’s been through, Violet’s more than in her right to not trust anyone easily.  After how many different betrayals she’s experienced while fighting through the hordes of Wonderland, it’s a wonder she even trusts her own mother.  Skye is just the opposite, after spending so much of her life in Belinda’s care she trusts her more than her own mother.  So, is Belinda really all that bad if she was able to bring up Skye so well?  Only time will tell, but Violet may not be as patient as the others.

This issue sports Pat Shand’s traditional style of awesome writing.  He skillfully breathes life into these characters and really brings out all of their little quirks and nuances, like Violet’s wariness, or Belinda’s self-doubt.  It all helps these characters grow and lays out the ground work for the new team of Realm Knights down the road.  Przemyslaw Klosin did a great job with the art side of things and really helped convey what Pat was writing down.  The new team is starting off strong.

Issue 103 of Grimm Fairy Tales is a good jumping on point for those looking to break into the series.  It’s a whole new team with characters just waiting to grow further.  If you have yet to experience the writing styles of Pat Shand, then I highly recommend picking up this issue, it’s the best of both worlds.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Dark Shaman 1

Sela Mathers visits a Native American reservation where she is drawn to a foreboding tapestry. She learns the story of the Dark Shaman, an ancient evil who seeks power through innocent blood... and a young woman with ties to the same tribe may be the only hope against him.

This series introduces a new villain to the Grimm Fairy Tales mythos.  With the majority of the fairy tales touched upon, Zenescope now turns to old Native American folk tales.  The story begins with Sela browsing through a Native American market when she happens upon a piece that looked quite old.  She is then told that there is a story behind it, but one of anguish and death.  We are then taken to a group of college-age kids (not sure if this is a flashback or parallels Sela’s actions) who make their way out to an old beach house that has a tie to the story of the Dark Shaman.  All the while one of the group, Colby, continuously has these nightmares of unspeakable horrors from Native American history.  As the kids enjoy the solidarity, something evil begins to stir.

Dark Shaman reads a lot like a horror movie, especially from the ‘80’s era.  I mean, you’ve got the group of young adults, alone in a beach house and then suddenly the killings begin.  Personally, I’m not really a huge fan of horror movies, so I can’t really attest to too much, but from the little I do know, this issue mimics a lot of the genre’s foibles.  I already mentioned the kids in the isolated beach house, but then you also have the strange disappearances around the area as well as the freak storms and the premonitions of terrible things to come.  If anything, I can read a horror story, in comic form, but watching them just isn’t for me.  However, if you are a fan of the genre then this one should be right up your alley.  Believe me, everything is there and this is only part one of a four issue mini-series, so I’m sure more horror mainstays will be making their appearance.

The series is kicking off pretty good and definitely caters to the horror movie buffs, not to say that others can’t check this out.  If you’ve always been too afraid to watch those kinds of movie, like me, then this is the perfect way to ease yourself into the genre.  No tense music, or creepy camera pans, just some good story telling.  It’s the time of year when scary stories are the norm, so check this one out for that extra thrill this holiday season.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Tales of Terror 4

When a deadly plague hits Earth, it wipes out 99% of the population. And while the majority of those who remain alive are suffering, the wealthy are using their status to survive. . . But at what cost?

The horror stories continue here with a new twisted tale of death and destruction.  This time around, the acts of a drug-dealer are paralleled with the story of a mysterious disease that swept over an alternate Earth.  No one is able to escape the effects of the highly contagious virus, except for one man and his newborn daughter.  As they struggle to survive this plague, the man and his daughter believe to have finally found some solace, only to have it dashed away.  However, one should always be careful as to whom they turn away.

As he did with issue 2, Shane McKenzie paints a gruesome picture of the follies of the human condition.  Here we have a father who only wants to keep his family safe, but ends up just making things worse at every turn.  And it doesn’t help matters any that the world has pretty much become mob rule with only the wealthiest being able to secure the supplies necessary to sustain a prolonged hibernation away from the contagion.  There’s no more time to think of others because as soon as you’re exposed to the virus, you’re as good as dead.  So, now we have a Y: The Last Man situation, where this man seems to be the only one immune to the virus, that is until his daughter was born.  Now with one less worry on his mind, the man only needs to think of the basics in order for him and his daughter to survive.  And here’s where we get to see how far this good man is willing to go in order to keep his daughter safe.  The issue does raise some good points about how death isn’t fickle and McKenzie really drives it home with the imagery, with help from returning artist Antonio Bifulco.

Four issues in and the death toll keeps rising, so I recommend picking up Grimm Tales of Terror issue 4 to keep the thrills coming.  This would make an especially good read for the upcoming holiday, where the true horrors lurk.  Don’t just take my word for it though, let the work speak for itself and check this one out.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Fairy Tales Halloween Special 2014

While the adults discuss their most recent mission, Skye and the students sneak out on Halloween night to visit a haunted cemetery. But when a wraith attacks and brings each of their greatest fears to life, the heroes of the story are made into prey!

So, I’m a little behind on the happenings within the Zenescope universe.  Right from the start, there were several faces that I didn’t recognize until I read into it more.  That there was probably the biggest qualm I had with the issue.  When you’re bringing in a relatively new cast into a series and especially in a one-shot like this, it would be rather helpful to drop some names as soon as the characters appear.  That way, everyone’s on the same page and you don’t get left in the dark.  With that being said, this was a good read.

This definitely felt like a “passing of the torch” kind of story and what better way to do just that than with a Halloween party.  The new batch heads out to the creepy graveyard, thinking it would be a lot more fun than the lame party.  Unfortunately for them, they run into a wraith, which almost immediately captures them all.  Also fittingly, they all experience their own greatest fears and nightmares.  It’s a real nice way, well nice for the readers anyway, to catch a glimpse at some of the more defining aspects of each of these characters.  For instance, we see Violet desperately denying the horrors that come with the hat of the Mad Hatter and Hailey being touted around like a sideshow oddity.  These fears are what can either make or break these characters and these run-ins with these demons truly test their meddle.  A very enjoyable read by Dan Wickline, and it’s all capped off with some solid artwork by Butch Mapa.

The 2014 Halloween Special is a great addendum to the shake-up in the current Grimm universe status quo.  It’s a big help to get better acquainted with the new cast as well as providing a closer look into what makes these characters tick.  So, pick up this issue for a great start to the Halloween season.  Believe me, it’ll be worth scaring up some money for this one.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Tales of Terror 3

When a college undergrad decides to stay in and study, she finds that a seemingly inconsequential decision leaves a lasting effect on her.  From writer Meredith Finch comes a story from the urban legends of the college dorm rooms.  The third installment in what looks to be a new age of horror, Grimm Tales of Terror brings you the thrills and chills you've been waiting for.

Life can be fleeting, so sometimes you just have to live for the moment instead of the bigger picture.  Unfortunately, a lot of people learn that notion too late.  In this issue, we’re taken to an unknown college where Darlene Levy has a suggestive encounter with her teacher, Prof. Reynolds after she starts to fall behind on her studies.  She then, literally runs into the woman from the previous issues, who then suggests a better path to take than the one she’s currently on.  Now, I’m learning more and more from the issues that the main stories aren't so much cautionary tales as they are a look into an occurrence elsewhere in the same setting as the opening sequence, whose themes parallel said sequence.  Anyways, the story then jumps over to two of Darlene’s classmates, Ann and Maris.  Ann attempts to get Maris to go out to a party, but she refuses due to the work she has to do for Prof. Reynolds’ class.  “If only there was another way”, she thinks to herself.  The next day, after a long night of partying, Ann wakes to find her roommate slaughtered in her bed.  Ann’s world is shattered from then on.  What may seem so inconsequential can turn out to have the most dire of consequences.  Perhaps if Maris had accompanied Ann to the party, then maybe her life would have been spared.  It’s a gamble everyone takes in life, Maris just happened to lose this wager.

This issue has a fine example of some great looking artwork by the talented Milton Estevam (and yes it’s the same artist throughout, so bonus points there).  The character designs are smooth and nicely detailed, and it doesn't hurt that his ladies are easy on the eyes.  You can pretty much turn to any page and see a well done panel.  The splash pages are especially nice because Milton gets all the little nuances, like Jim Lee, or Marcio Abreu.

Given the quality of the artwork, which lent itself well to the story, the story itself felt a little rushed.  I mean I don’t want to give too much away, but for a murder mystery-type story, I felt that there weren't enough red herrings thrown in to lead the reader astray before the big reveal.  Granted that the writer possibly had a limited number of pages, but they had only shown the first suspect and suddenly the story was over.  For me, I would have liked to have one or two more possibilities put in, but if you’re under a page constraint, I guess there’s no getting around that.

So, although the story may feel a bit rushed, the great art style will make you slow down to take in some of the fine images that accompany it.  I would kind of consider this to be horror-lite, but it’s still a great addition to your Grimm Tales of Terror collection.  If these are anything like the original Grimm Fairy Tales, I’m sure this storyline will come into play down the line.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Grimm Tales of Terror 2

When a group of treasure hunters heads to the Amazon in search for the priceless Spider Queen relic, they will find that their greed puts them in a horrifying predicament.  The second issue in the new, on-going series from Zenescope, Grimm Tales of Terror puts the horror back into horror stories and returns the Grimm Fairy Tale series to its roots.  Join writer Shane McKenzie as he brings this new nightmare.

Greed - one of the biggest problems in the world today.  It corrupts the human soul until it completely consumes them.  At that point any hope of redemption is all but lost.  This is the theme of Grimm Tales of Terror issue 2, written by Shane McKenzie.  As in the beginnings of the Grimm Fairy Tales series, the issue begins with a misdeed occurring, in this case an abusive collector, who cares for nothing but his possessions.  Shortly thereafter a mysterious woman shows up to recant a story pertaining to the situation.  The story is about an artifact collector, who had sent and Indiana Jones-type hunter to obtain the relic of the Spider Queen, only to have never returned.  The thought of this treasure just sitting out there in the jungles, waiting to be snatched up, drove Thomas Tessier mad.  So, he manages to persuade the ill-fated hunter’s two sons, Tyson and Chip, to help him obtain the relic themselves.  Despite all of the perils that befalls the group, Tessier’s lust for the artifact gets the better of him and he winds up getting more than he bargained for.

What’s cool about this is that it goes back to the original formula of the Grimm Fairy Tales series, before it essentially became a superhero series.  However, the twist here is that instead of trying to better the people that the story is being told to, the woman, who I believe is Death, or whatever she’s going by in the Grimm Universe, pretty much shows them what’s going to happen because of the path they've chosen.  No real chance at redemption, just simply “you’re screwed” and there’s nothing more to be done about it.  This of course leads to much more gruesome fates for these people hence why this is a Grimm Tale of Terror instead of a Fairy Tale.  The focus is more on myths and urban legends than what were originally contrived to be children’s stories.  It’s a look at the darker tales that people aren't always readily forthcoming to divulge.

One thing that threw me off a bit was after the opening sequence, it switches over to the main story without any sort of cues.  Usually after meeting the woman, a story would be told and it would take place either elsewhere or in the past.  With this issue, they decided to blend it all together, which is something I wasn't entirely prepared for.  I initially thought I missed something when I first read it and it wasn't until I went over it second time, that it all happened at the same time and place.  A little scene indicator at the top would be helpful the next time around, but just readers beware when you pick up this one.

This is a tale of woe to the greed filled people, that if you’re not careful that greed could consume you.  There’s plenty of gore to go around, so if you’re looking for a good horror story, then this is a good place to start, one can only imagine what the rest of this series will bring.  So, pick up the second issue of Grimm Tales of Terror (and while you’re at it, pick up issue 1) and scare up a good time with this newest addition to the horror genre.  For more info on where to find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Zenescope Reaches Major Milestone!

ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES LANDMARK ISSUE THIS WEDNESDAY!!! Grimm Fairy Tales #100

For an independent comic book publisher, getting to issue #50 is a milestone.  Getting to issue #100 is a LANDMARK!   Zenescope Entertainment, started in a garage by two Philly guys in 2005, has grown into a Top 10 Publisher with myriad fairy tales, horror, and fantasy titles plus working relationships with the biggest writers and artists in the business.

“It’s hard for me to believe we are getting ready to publish our 100th issue of Grimm Fairy Tales. It seems like not that long ago we publishing issue #1 and then trying to figure out how we were going to find enough fairy tales to make it to issue #25. It’s been a blast writing and planning the series and seeing how it has evolved over the last eight years. As excited as I am to be publishing issue #100, I’m even more excited for the direction the series is going to take in #101. It’s going to be a great jumping on point for new readers and I think current fans are going to love it even more. The best way I  can describe it is Harry Potter meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
- Joe Brusha, Zenescope co-founder and co-writer of GFT #100

“The fact that we’ve hit an issue #100 is such a great feeling and it proves that we have a dedicated and loyal fan base. We’re looking forward to really blowing readers away with both the artwork and story.”
- Ralph Tedesco, Zenescope co-founder and co-writer of GFT #100
_________________________________________________________________________

(COVER BY NEAL ADAMS)
GRIMM FAIRY TALES #100
The LANDMARK issue of one of the hottest indie comics of the past decade has arrived! It all began with Sela Mathers, the Guardian of the Nexus, a woman tasked with teaching misguided humans right from wrong. But Sela’s struggles, her ups and downs, and the effects of those she’s helped and those she’s lost to darkness will all culminate in this epic 100th issue! Sela will take on the biggest threat she’s ever faced as the Dark Queen looks to plunge the Grimm Universe into an Age of Darkness.

Story by Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, and Anthony Spay
Written by Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco
Artwork by Anthony Spay                                            Colors by Ivan Nunes
Letters by Jim Campbell                                                       Edited by Nicole Glade


For more information and to schedule interviews with co-creators Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco or any creators, authors, or editors, please email press@zenescope.com.

For more information about the convention dates, comics and books, or anything else regarding Zenescope, be sure to check out www.zenescope.com or  search  Zenescope on Facebook and Twitter.

Zenescope Entertainment’s booth at San Diego Comic Con International #2301

About Zenescope Entertainment
Zenescope Entertainment was founded by Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco in 2005, and has quickly grown into one of the top comic book and graphic novel publishing companies in the world. Zenescope's Grimm Fairy Tales and subsequent spinoff series such as Oz, Wonderland, Neverland and Robyn Hood, which re-imagine classic fables, are some of the best-selling and longest-running original independent comic books on shelves today. Zenescope publishes and develops both original and licensed material and has worked with dozens of clients that include Discovery Channel, History Channel, CBS, Lionsgate TV, Mandalay Vision, New Line Cinema, Titmouse Studios and many others.

Grimm Fairy Tales vs Wonderland

“For years, Zenescope readers have had the chance to follow Sela Mathers in Grimm Fairy Tales and beyond as she's battled alongside and against the likes of Robyn Hood, Hesling, Red Riding Hood, and many, many more. The readers have followed Calie as she struggled to save her daughter, her sanity, and her life across two worlds in various Wonderland books. But the readers have never gotten to see Sela and Calie together. That's what makes GFT vs. Wonderland special. You have two great characters at the peak of their powers crossing paths. Will they be friends? Will they be bitter enemies? And what on Earth or Wonderland could possibly threaten them both? It's an event, and you should be there.”

- Troy Brownfield, writer

“When I read Troy's script, I envision Sela and Calie two strong warriors that are determined, beautiful, and independent. It’s like having two Wonder Womans in one book!”

- Luca Claretti, artist

Grimm Fairy Tales 100th Issue

“It’s hard for me to believe we are getting ready to publish our 100^th issue of Grimm Fairy Tales. It seems like not that long ago we publishing issue #1 and then trying to figure out how we were going to find enough fairy tales to make it to issue #25. It’s been a blast writing and planning the series and seeing how it has evolved over the last eight years. As excited as I am to be publishing issue #100, I’m even more excited for the direction the series is going to take in #101. It’s going to be a great jumping on point for new readers and I think current fans are going to love it even more. The best way to describe I can describe it is Harry Potter meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

- Joe Brusha, Zenescope co-founder and co-writer of GFT #100

Zenescope Entertainment Announces Age of Darkness Official Release Schedule

Zenescope Entertainment has announced the official release schedule for the AGE OF DARKNESS titles.  The “AGE OF DARKNESS” titles are the books which have the unmistakable red AGE OF DARKNESS banner across the top. These particular titles bring together the universes of Grimm Fairy Tales for the epic release of the Grimm Fairy Tales 100th issue. Every Universe Has An End…

November 2013 Quest 1 of 5 December 2013 Code Red 1 of 5 Quest 2 of 5 January 2014 Grimm Fairy Tales 93 Code Red 2 of 5 Quest 3 of 5 Dark Queen: Age of Darkness One-shot February 2014 Grimm Fairy Tales 94 Wonderland Clash of Queens 1 of 5 Code Red 3 of 5 Quest 4 of 5 Robyn Hood: Age of Darkness One-shot March 2014 Grimm Fairy Tales 95 Neverland: Age of Darkness 1 of 4 Wonderland: Clash of Queens 2 of 5 Code Red 4 of 5 Quest 5 of 5 April 2014 Grimm Fairy Tales 96 Neverland: Age of Darkness 2 of 4 Wonderland: Clash of Queens 3 of 5 Code Red 5 of 5 Inferno: Age of Darkness One-shot May 2014 Grimm Fairy Tales 97 Grimm Fairy Tales 0: FCBD Edition Grimm Fairy Tales 2014 Annual Neverland: Age of Darkness 3 of 4 Wonderland: Clash of Queens 4 of 5 Dark One: Age of Darkness One-shot June 2014 Grimm Fairy Tales 98 Neverland: Age of Darkness 4 of 4 Wonderland: Clash of Queens 5 of 5 Wonderland 24 OZ: Age of Darkness One-shot Wonderland: Age of Darkness One-shot Godstorm: Age of Darkness One-shot July 2014 Grimm Fairy Tales 99 GRIMM FAIRY TALES 100 Grimm Fairy Tales Giant-Sized 2014 Realm War: Age of Darkness 1 of 12 Wonderland 25 Realm Knghts: Age of Darkness One-shot …to be continued.

For more information about the AGE OF DARKNESS titles, be sure to check the official Zenescope blog, or follow the updates on the Zenescope Facebook page, or Twitter feed by searching #Zenescope.

Grimm Fairy Tales: Holiday 2013

The holiday season approaches again which means Krampus is up to no good.  So, when Robyn gets an invite to a party being held by Sela, you just know it’s going to be crashed by Krampus.  Join Sela, Robyn Liesel VanHelsing and Red Riding Hood for a Christmas party unlike any other, as the forces of evil are out for blood and their target is one of the guests.  From the cantankerous cranium of Pat Shand, the 2013 Holiday Special shows off Robyn’s true Christmas spirit.

Like most of Zenescope’s holiday specials, this one is divided up into several smaller stories that revolve around a main one.  And with this being a Christmas tale, you know Krampus is out for blood.  Although this time around Krampus is targeting one of the main female protagonists of the Grimm Universe, I feel as though this story structure is getting a little “old-hat” so to speak.  It’s great that Krampus’ story is being developed with each holiday installment, but it would be cool to see more of a giant-sized Christmas epic instead of having it broken up so much.  However this isn’t just a story for Krampus, this is Robyn’s Christmas story.  We get to see her out of her element, no enemies, yet, no vengeance, just Robyn trying to act casual at a Christmas party.  Nice change of pace for her and some great character development here.

I definitely enjoyed the overall story.  Had a great time watching Robyn struggle through Sela’s party.  This really has been the only time she hasn’t been running from the law or hunting someone, or something, down, so rather interesting to see how she handles herself in a social situation.  I’ve become quite enamored with Robyn ever since Pat introduced her to the world and it’s been great watching this character develop into something so awesome.  Robyn’s character development aside, this issue has a nice mix of art styles that help each little sub-story stand out. 

That being said however, I think I’m forever going to have a problem with Zenescope’s inconsistent use of a single artist per issue.  It works alright with this special edition given the way its set up, but I see this far too many times with their regular books and it just bothers me.  Hey, some people may enjoy the variety, but for me personally it just doesn’t sit well.  So, aside from that and a “it’s been done” story structure, I really did enjoy this issue.

So, comes to close another year in the Grimm Universe and as usual, all is not well.  Pain and death are around every corner this holiday season and only Sela and crew can put a stop to it.  So, grab your blanket and your sword, lest the Krampus sees you gored.  Fix yourself a Christmas snack then wait for the attack.  Pick this up and then you’ll nestle with the 2013 Holiday Special.  For more info on where find this issue, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer under no pressure from Krampus...we think.

Grimm Fairy Tales: Different Seasons Vol. 3

 Merriment and mischief continue in this third volume of holiday one-shots from Zenescope Entertainment.  Here you’ll find tales of danger, deceit and the uncouth effects of greed, as well as an epic volleyball game.  Written by the likes of Ralph Tedesco, Joe Brusha and Raven Gregory, this is certainly not one to be missing from your collection.  With that said, there are quite a few issues to cover this time around, so let’s get this review going.

This volume collects the 2010 Halloween and Holiday Specials, as well as the 2013 Valentine’s and St. Patrick’s one-shots and the 2012 Swimsuit Special.  Now, not entirely certainly sure how all these fit together story-wise, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of putting together what was available and not overloading this volume with a ton of Halloween and Holiday Specials.  With that said, there’s a whole plethora of demonic goodness throughout these stories.  You’ve got vampires, Krampus, leprechauns and dark spawn, so a little something for everyone.  What’s cool about these one-shots are that they kind of give the reader a closer look at the true meaning of a Holiday, or of the choices a person can make.  Brings it back to how the Grimm Fairy Tales series started, giving the reader a lesson and providing some introspection.  However, they’re not without their fair share of violence and T & A, so you won’t feel so bad about yourself when reading these.  Not that you should, but I think you know what I mean. 

Focusing first on the writing, all around stellar job.  I mean, how can you go wrong with Ralph Tedesco, Joe Brusha, Raven Gregory and Pat Shand all lending their pens to these issues?  These guys know their stuff and that’s part of the reason Zenescope is still in business (I think you know what the other part is).  Raven gave us a great Halloween Special, takes a crack at all of the vampire stereotypes and gives use something a little unexpected.  If you hate Twilight, you’ll love this issue.  For the 2010 Holiday Special, Ralph, Joe and Raven really get into the true meaning of Christmas and try to make the world a better place, in their own special way.  I really liked how they were able to interconnect all of the little sub-stories within this book.  Nice way of getting a different perspective to the overall plot.  

The Valentine’s one-shot provided a great back-up story to the Grimm Universe and answered a question or two for the long-time reader.  This issue fleshes out one of the main characters more and provides her with a bit more depth.  Pat really pulled through with both the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day and 2012 Swimsuit specials.  The St. Patrick’s Day one-shot was another issue of interconnecting stories and brought to light one of man’s greatest failings, while the Swimsuit Special was a change of pace, compared to Pat’s usual fair.  I mean Robyn is so bad-ass that she wouldn’t even come play volleyball in a story written by her series’ author.  So, much talent in one book, it’s hard to believe it doesn’t explode on contact.

Which leads us to the art aspect of this collection, a wide variety of styles and looks that it’s hard sometimes to read the print without staring at the pages for hours.  Artists like Marcio Abreu and Alfred Trujillo really give the pages the flare that pulls you into a story and just locks you in.  The ones that really got me were the pages from the 2010 Halloween Special and the 2013 Valentine’s one-shot.  A story which involves pages of sexy, female vampires is always a plus for me and the Valentine’s one-shot really delivered with its 90’s style superhero look.  A look that’s always been a favorite of mine. 

A few things struck me as a little off in this volume, the main thing being the short story in the 2012 Swimsuit Special.  Like I said, this is definitely a break from the norm for Pat, and to me it showed.  Although a nice light-hearted story for a change, it felt a little too cheesy.  Some of the dialogue just felt forced in areas and too many attempts by the villains to be funny.  It was a little rough getting through, but great to see Pat expanding his genres.  Other things that caught my attention was the artwork for some of the stories, especially in the Holiday Special.  I wouldn’t say it was all around bad, but it wasn't really my cup of tea either.  Perhaps there’s a certain charm that I’m not seeing, but to re-iterate, it’s just not for me.

The Different Seasons series of trade paper-backs is a great collection of all of the extra-long stories that they couldn’t quite fit into the trades of the main series.  Volume three delivers the chills and thrills while keeping with the holiday spirit.  Despite a few hiccups, I would recommend this for anyone wanting to expand their Zenescope collection, or for some good ‘ol fashioned holiday cheer.  So, pick up the third collection of Different Seasons, otherwise you may find the Krampus at your door.  For more info about this trade paper-back, visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. Krampus is not responsible for any thoughts, comments or opinions. Only our individual reviewer is.

Quest #1

Alright folks, it’s been awhile since my last review (you know how tricky space-time can be) and so what better way to start us off than with another masterfully crafted tale by Pat Shand?  Published by Zenescope, the series is called Quest; a story about four hapless warriors who are sent on a journey to find the one item that can dispel the evil that is plaguing the realm of Myst. However, is it truly what they seek, or is it all a setup?  Peril and danger await our heroes as they set forth on a grand adventure that only Zenescope could tell.

The realm of Myst has been thrown into turmoil after The Council had been taken down by the Dark Horde.  Now evil plagues the land and The Temple of the High Council has become its focal point.  These are dark times indeed.  Enter Blake, a former knight of Wonderland, Bolder, a hearty dwarven warrior, Druanna, a goddess once known as Gaia, and the mysterious Princess Aisling.  At the behest of Druanna the group sets out on a journey that she believes could dispel the evil from Myst once and for all. 

The fantasy adventure story.  The genre where geeks of old herald from.  Very little satisfies more than reading a tale of danger and heroism combined with knights, magic and princesses.  Pat Shand has delivered just such a story with this new series from Zenescope.  With this first issue alone, we get to see the makings of an epic fantasy in the spirit of The Lord of the Rings, or the Inheritance Cycle (for you younger readers out there).  If you haven’t figured it out by now, I really enjoyed this first book of the series.  As a big fan of the fantasy genre, this issue really kept me interested.  Plus it’s a nice diversion away from the norm of the Grimm Fairy Tale universe (also a logical one given the group of characters that are usually dealt with).  Pat Shand has done it again with this one.  With great works such as the Robyn Hood and Unleashed series under his belt, I’m looking forward to where this adventure takes our cadre of companions.  And although this is a mixed art team (you should all know my feelings on that subject by now), I must commend the quality of the line work of Sergio Osuna and David T. Cabrera.  They’ve got a nice, modern comic style with just that hint of the old fantasy style.  Suits this series perfectly.  And let’s not forget the fantastic colors by Francesca Zambon, that really make these pages pop.  All-in-all, the beginning of another great series from Zenescope.

Once again I’ve run into a series that I had no problems with.  The writing and art really work well together and the overall concept is a great one.  So, without nit-picking through the story I give this one the thumbs up and the map at the end is a nice touch too.

Steel your hearts and sharpen your blades because you’re now on the journey of a lifetime.  Quest will take you to the far reaches of Myst and down to its darkest depths in order to win back its former glory.  If you're looking for excitement and adventure, look no further, as Quest will deliver all that and more.  Don’t worry though, no quests will be necessary to make it to your local comic shop (unless you live out in the middle of nowhere).  Take heed!  We leave at dawn!  For more information about this issue, please visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Zenescope is Bringing Grimm Fairy Tales Animated to SDCC

Grimm Fairy Tales Animated (Friday July 19^th,12:00–1:00, Room 4)—Zenescope Entertainment co-founders and co-producers Joe Brusha (Grimm Fairy Tales, Neverland, Oz) and Ralph Tedesco (Grimm Fairy Tales, Inferno, Salem’s Daughter) along with director/producer Jon Schnepp (The Venture Bros, Metalocalypse, ABCs of Death) discuss the Grimm Fairy Tales Animated pilot. Come find out about this horrific re-imagining of the Grimm Fairy Tales from Zenescope Entertainment, Titmouse Inc and Schneppzone. Find out how the project came to fruition, and what big names have gotten involved in the project. With talent like Lena Headey, Chris Hardwick, Briana Evigan, and Robert Forster (to name a few), this project is turning a lot of heads!

For more information on Zenescope’s plans for San Diego Comic Con, visit www.zenescope.com or follow their updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Zenescope Entertainment was founded by Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco in 2005, and has quickly grown into one of the top comic book and graphic novel publishing companies in the world. Zenescope's Grimm Fairy Tales and subsequent spinoff series such as Wonderland, Neverland and Robyn Hood, which put a dark twist on classic fables, are some of the best-selling and longest-running original independent comic books on shelves today. Zenescope publishes and develops both original and licensed material and has worked with dozens of clients that include Discovery Channel, History Channel, CBS, Lionsgate TV, Mandalay Vision, New Line Cinema, Titmouse Studios and many others.