Only a great fool eats what is served before him … especially if it is given by someone in stripes!
Creative Staff:
Writer: Erica J. Heflin
Art: Giorgia Sposito
What They Say:
After years of torment at the hands of Wonderland and its many psychopathic denizens, Calie Liddle finally claimed a victory. By defeating the Queen of Spades, Calie assumed leadership of Wonderland. And now she cares for the realm that once existed to torment her family. With the White Rabbit and a newly reformed Cheshire Cat by her side, Calie seeks to transform the tainted realm to its former glory … But it will not be an easy task.
This is the story of Calie Liddle … White Queen of Wonderland.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The former White Queen and the Mad Hatter are still on the hunt for those corrupted by the Ace of Spades. His withered hand has reached into the realm of man and the influence of Wonderland has tainted many who wish to fall under his influence. The cult of the Wondermen reaches far and wide, so the search for its deluded members has taken longer than they thought until they reach their current destination: a town where the local police have found mutilated bodies and a confused girl. When they question her, in her ravings she admits that she was tested as to the strength of her love for her boyfriend and then abruptly ends the inquiry after she gets hungry.
As Violet licks her wounds, the group begins to muse if the girl’s rantings were in reference to the infamous pair of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. These deluded tests might be a way to bring themselves closer to the world of nightmares and thus, a way to broker a path towards entry to that realm. However, how can they dare to assess such a claim without endangering themselves? The longer they wait, the more victims will be claimed, so is this the time to chose the safer path? Calie and Violet find only one path open and so the answer is clear: they must enter the lion’s den and hope that they are able to pass the trial without exposing their true intentions. But, is this worth the risk to their relationship so that they may claim victory or is this end of their escapade in pursuing Ace?
In Summary:
This is one of the most disturbing Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Wonderland issues that I have read, and that is saying much considering the series has been running for over eight years. Perhaps it is the taboo of cannibalism which makes this such a chilling story, but whatever the reason, Erica Heflin manages to keep it undertoned without any overtly nauseating scenes. It is this consideration for the reader which makes this an intriguing story, but at the same time, it cleverly masks itself as still being from that fantastical land with the inclusion of the faux Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Heflin then ties the whole together through the apt usage of Cheshire’s monologue, of how he has become disenchanted by staying in the world of man; his complaints of being forced to stay whereby dulling his senses and the musings of being constrained even more by having to eat Calie and Violet’s questionable choices for what passes for food gives us a comical lean for such a sombre subject. What could have been a dubious tale of forbidden nourishment has now become lessened by the feline’s intervention – a wonderful way to defuse the situation.
And if Heflin’s story wasn’t depressing enough, Giorgia Sposito adds to the glorious feast with her sullen display of refinement to an otherwise questionable subject. The way which she moves the story along with the underlying subject of food really ties the whole narrative together; she is able to vividly show how such a basal instinct drives primal needs with powerfully moving scenes, all while evoking emotions through those same illustrations: hunger is to sadness, satisfaction is to joy and on the other side of the coin, it can also be equated to disgust when Tweedles are involved. All of these extremes revolve around Heflin’s narrative and Sposito is able to tangibly invoke them with her marvelous work. But when we look through Cheshire’s eyes into the Liddle’s world, those same hungers question his existence and that too is shown by his distaste for what he does not consider sustenance. The dichotomy of what one side recognises as nutrition and the other sees as filth brings the story together as a whole, finishing the meal until we are served dessert with the next issue.
Wonderland’s toxins have once more poisoned another happiness which we take for granted as Heflin and Sposito display in such repulsive fashion. This issue of opposites makes one think as to how such pleasure can be taken from the act of ingesting nourishment, but at the same time, it can also turn over to the anguish of not being able to sustain oneself with edible food or the lack thereof. If the Tweedles are the chefs for the banquet, I will respectfully decline the invitation, taking care to keep a watch on my back if they ever need more supplies!
Grade: A
Rating: M (Mature)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: May 4th, 2016
MSRP: $3.99
