Choices are simple … but accepting the consequences are not.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Al Barrionuevo
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
After a brutal attack by the Hollowborn, Avril Williams has disappeared, and a severely injured Red Agent, along with Keres and Skye, must journey to a ravaged temple in eastern Europe in a desperate attempt to find her before it’s too late. Along the way, they discover a dark truth about their new foes that leaves them questioning everything… Meanwhile, Mystere and Kalen Vale are sent on a mission to help a victimized populace, only to realize that the Hollowborn aren’t the only deadly monsters hunting them…
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Events from two days ago are still fresh in Britney’s mind, recalling how she was helpless as haunting abominations assaulted both herself and Avril, and though they fought valiantly, the blonde witch knew their efforts were ultimately in vain, even as Red Agent boldly attempted to protect her companion, and yet as these black robed skeletal abominations pressed their advantage, Williams knew it was only a matter of time until they were overwhelmed, deciding to surround her friend in a shield which pushed her outside and returned an injured warrior back to Arcane Acre. After the heroines were returned to moments after Waters’ exile, with Skye forced to hold a ritual circle to protect against these same foes, it is only now did Keres understand the awful truth behind Avril’s captivity, and yet there was an unsettling mystery behind how they knew the Goddess of Death, deepening the grim reality and adding to the significance of the situation, as Williams is painfully forced to serve as a living portal for these foul creatures. Yet as Brit witnessed her partner being tortured, she pushed forward past the wards in order to touch an outstretched hand, even as the Guardian voiced her concerns of their protection beginning to fall apart, knowing it would not last much longer, the barrier quickly crumbling as Waters desperately strained to reach her cherished friend, all as companions on both sides of the struggle frantically warned this stubborn woman to keep her distance from this inevitable conclusion.
In Summary:
It is hard to imagine that it has been twenty years since the Grimm Universe first took shape, a collection of territories called the Realms of Power which were comprised of Wonderland, Myst, Neverland, Oz and Earth, and though these worlds largely depended upon native champions to save their own people, defending themselves from numerous threats which ravaged the lands, both from without and within, it has also been the responsibility of the Guardian of the Nexus to keep watch over all, with the latest dynamic women being those from the Mathers family. Yet as the years slowly passed and a courageous Sela faced foes both strange and familiar, this burdensome torch was eventually passed to her once rebellious daughter Skye, with her heavy burden enshrined within the fascinating pages of Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 2, until her task became increasingly difficult as an omnipotent adversary named Father Time threatened all within the apocalyptic Once Upon the End of Time saga. While a handful of heroes may have secured a flimsy victory at a great cost, this arrogant being would not allow his loss to be for naught, declaring to himself after remolding the universe to suit his needs that ”All that remains is Earth … not untouched, but reborn … the slate wiped clean, the game reset … and the final chapter ready to begin.“ It is from this weighty task that writer Joe Brusha forcefully propels invested readers toward a new journey in Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 3, with a devoted Keres now accompanying Skye and those she has always seen as her extended family, and while these formidable women’s approach to overcoming obstacles may be unique, an enthused audience cannot but recall the ominous declaration from Father Time as the story arc concluded, boldly proclaiming ”… the monsters are no longer contained … nor are they spread out across the realms. They are all on Earth … free to roam … and hunt … and kill as they like. “
While an enthused audience for Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 3 may have been confused as to the reason for separating the allies of Arcane Acre, it is only now can we begin to understand the implications of these actions, with our heroes having to face disparate foes, all as they battle amongst themselves in trying to choose the right way to protect what they each consider important. Yet as we watch Avril once again make a painful choice for Britney, loyal fans cannot but question why this tragedy mirrors what happened in Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 2 #75, when the brave witch resolved the only way to save the world was to close the gate on Cthulhu, just as what we are currently witnessing with different foes and destination, making one wonder why Brusha would replace one torturous exile for another, all while still having no understanding as to how she escaped from the prior dimension. It is from this similarity that insightful readers may ponder by Waters does not have a more frantic reaction to Williams’ sacrifice, since when the prior incident occurred, Red Agent collapsed on the spot, but this time she is more driven to save her friend, with perhaps being able to return a few moments after her departure and able to observe the pain being motivation to fiercely fight since history seems willing to repeat itself.
As one tragic crisis unfolds, readers cannot but wonder how Mary and Kalen are able to tolerate each other in a small town in Montana, as the premiere showed a caustic tension between the pair, but now they are forced to cooperate in order to survive being hunted by a pack of werewolves, all while attempting to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the populace. Although it is impressive how the assassin and oracle work together to thin down their numbers, and yet it is undeniable that the lycanthropes have a fierce tenacity which make them more efficient hunters, never allowing this prey to escape as some pursue and others keep track of their movements, keeping mounting pressure on these weak humans even if their numbers may seem to dwindle amid foolish resistance. However, it is due to this valiant struggle Mystere learns about the terrible atrocities perpetrated against the hamlet’s inhabitants, allowing interested readers to admiring how Medina relentlessly seeks the truth, unfolding to horrified fans that these people were forced to accept the transformation in order to end the mental suffering of being constantly stalked by ruthless predators. And yet their torment would not end that easily, to have one source of psychological anguish replaced by another as they are forced to become hunters themselves, all to satisfy the sadistic pleasure of the Alpha as he watches with delight, their only chance for release being a quick death. While a sympathetic Mary may understand the nature of this distressing contest, one cannot but feel the dislike for Vale stirring again, projecting the callous nature of a warrior forged on the battlefield, rejecting the need to offer mercy to cruel enemies, no matter the pertinent circumstances.
The unsettling opening presented by Al Barrionuevo boldly sets the mood for this story, even as Jorge Cortes tonally creates an ominous environment thanks to limited lighting contributing to an unseen pressure emanating from these skeletal beings, one cannot but shudder at the ominous presence of these visitors, cold eyes hidden within dead blackness, all as the scene is fractured by tentacles of ebony with silent shadows watching, not knowing if they are here to observe or invade amid what seems to be barren trees threatening to take over abandoned ruins. It is only when we return to what follows can we reflect as to the helplessness Brit feels, to witness these confident women fight with determination, and yet Barrionuevo does not hesitate to extenuate alluring curves, skin tight suits grip long legs as wondrous shadows accent primary colors from Cortes, all as chiseled features scream in silence, with the brilliance of blinding explosions that make this tragedy both beautiful and sorrowful, even as haphazard presentation adds to the confusion of this mortal battle. While we may sympathize with the outcome of this inevitable clash, it is the bitter relationship between Kalen and Mary that is painful to watch, for though we cannot but admire the snow white backgrounds, once pristine streets littered by footprints from charcoal dressed prey, with daring insets projecting the accepted chaos as they fight for their lives. They heaviness of Cortes’ dimmed atmosphere adds to the tension of the chase, with dramatic flourishes of chilling spirits and harsh blade lending to the desire to survive, their owners’ personality speaking as to how each either offers mercy or slaughters with brutality, all as oddly tilted panels add to the frenzy of the fight. Even as Mystere understands the plight of the freed populace against this cold assassin, it is the closing taunt from the Alpha and his pet which make insight readers wonder if this pack may have an ally, as the blonde mane and blue eyes supposedly point to someone who is dissatisfied with how her friends ignore the pain of someone they supposedly hold dear.
Although interested readers may start to understand how the Tome of Blood and Shadow is influencing this latest volume of Grimm Tales, one cannot but question if there is some underlying connection between the various races of the Hollowborn, even as normally cooperative protectors begin to fight amongst themselves when trying to understand contrasting outlooks toward these foul enemies, making one wonder if some unseen foe is pushing forward a twisted scheme to divide our heroes, even as the world continues to teeter on the brink of mayhem. As amazing artwork and provocative colors tease the audience to watch as once trusting friends now see each other as wary competitors, it is these bold struggles that make our enjoyment of these chaotic pages all the more pleasing, each carefully constructed layout slowly unfolding the growing doubt which the audience feels building as we progress through this maze of misery. Yet as we pause to understand how Keres is involved with all of these disparate events, it is the skeletal beings who seem to be at the heart of this story arc that unleash a new problem for the Goddess to conquer alone, not able to share her growing concerns with even the Guardian, we cannot but be curious as to why will only confide with the Dark Tome and not her mortal allies, leading to an avoidable mistake that will lead to more problems than even Arcane Acre can hope to survive.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: April 22, 2026
MSRP: $4.99
Richard Gutierrez
?????? (Itadakimasu!)
I’m hungry for anything Japanese – from sushi to manga to anime!
And if comes with a side of comics, that makes me even happier! Put it on a platter and watch out!
I’m a messy eater … so better get me a BIG napkin! (Or better yet, just let me use the tablecloth!)
