Review: Grimm Fairy Tales 2022 Horror Pin-Up Special

Just in time for Halloween, comes the 2022 Horror Pin-Up special from Zenescope. Though truth be told, Zenescope doesn’t really need much of an excuse to go for the horror or pin-up vibes; it is their modus operandi after all.

There is a story that looks to introduce…..something before we head to Cheesecake City. A young lady has been caught up in some dodgy sacrificial type of affair and no amount of pleading is going save her. Time for someone else, for something else to take a hand.

The main, if you can call that, story is written by Zenescope veteran Dave Franchini and I have to admit how surprised I was at how dark the story was. Girls and bondage seem a bit of a trope, but the pleas of being a m other fall on deaf ears hint at something far more serious than the publishers usual fare. The dialogue evokes feelings of Ghost Rider or Man Thing with the use of “gaze”. It will be interesting what this not quite an ending will eventually lead into. Color me intrigued.

The art for the story is provided by Erik Tamayo who does a great job keeping the Zenescope house style going, yet manages to move away from salaciousness, using more defines aspects, such as fingers on the last panel. Facial aspects are also well represented here, an important factor when you consider that horror is the main thrust of this book. The colors from Grostieta are spectacular, it’s that simple; the use of greens is particularly striking. Taylor Esposito of, appropriately enough, Ghost Glyph studios is on hand to provide his usual level of high standard lettering.

This then bring us to the pin-up section of the book. All the heroines and villainesses of the Grimm universe get a run through as your favourite horror cosplayers. There is a mix of creative talents, with differing results, though it seems that Van Helsing gets more than her fair share of costume changes.

There is enough here for the whole range of Grimm fans, whether it be those who read Zenescope for the stories or for the cheesecake art that accompanies them.

Writing – 4 Stars

Art (Story) – 3.5 Stars

Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; Dave Franchini
Art (Story) by; Erik Tamayo
Colors by; Grostieta
Letters by; Taylor Esposito of Ghost Glyph Studios
Pin-ups by; Various
Published by; Zenescope Entertainment

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network