Review: Grimm Fairy Tales #40
Say what you want about Zenescope, but they have been publishing a successful range of books even if at times the main book Grimm Fairy Tales can feel a little too episodic, given how the majority of their books are the mini-series format. Still, with Skye’s Odyssey now over, this issue could be a great jumping on point for new readers.
The one untied thread from recent events is that Shang, Skye’s mentor, is still missing. In order to locate him, Skye gets to enjoy the deepest darkest corners of the Grimm Universe, which leads to more question than answers at this stage and hints of dangers to come.
The book features a story by Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco and Dave Franchini, the latter is credited as the writer, Between the three of them, it’s left to Franchini to coalesce the ideas. Franchini does well enough in setting the scenes for the next chapter of Skye journey. There is a confusion, a misunderstanding, an evil forest and a library. The problem however is that in setting the scenes, Franchini falls into a bit of an exposition hole, darker than the sentient forest, that it seems he has no idea how to get out off. Maybe if someone threw him a pen, the way that someone threw her sword at Skye it would’ve helped.
The art is provided by Eman Casallos who gets to put Skye in all sorts of danger for quite a short period of time. By putting Skye through her paces Casallos gets to show his range of art, though this can be a tad inconsistent when it comes to perspective and facial elements. Still, the action poses and panels work well for the most part, though there is an odd splash panel of the forest with smaller than required heroine. Looking through the book, this happens quite a bit, which is a tad disappointing. With Zenescope you know you are going to get high production values and the colors by Jorge Cortes are no exception. Cortes get to have a lot of fun in the different environs which Casallos delivers with a scenery first kind of approach. Finally, letters are provided by Ghost Glyph Studios’ Taylor Esposito who adds a high level of professionalism and variety to the various dialogue elements.
Zenescope’s business model is certainly working for them; I just wish that they would somehow deliver more consistent material or at least consistently better material.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Story by;Â Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco and Dave Franchini
Written by; Dave Franchini
Art by; Eman Casallos
Colors by; Jorge Cortes
Letters by; Taylor Esposito of Ghost Glyph Studios
Published by; Zenescope Entertainment
Author Profile
- 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
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