Anything can become twisted once it has been tainted … especially by the corruption of Wonderland.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Erica J. Heflin
Art: Ferran Sellares
Colors: Leonardo Paciarotti
Letters: Christy Sawyer
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):
Callie and Violet have been taken by the Tweedles and now they have seen the pair’s larder, the location where they keep the others welcomed into their home. The sweet smell of straw which once perfumed the stables is long gone and has been polluted by a stench of something far worse. Horses once kept here, their passive whinnies of contentment occasionally heard are now no more, the barn is silent. There are still animals being kept here, but the four hoofed has been replaced by those who used to walk on two feet, being tended by Dee and Dum. The new masters care for their new beasts, as if they were livestock, and as such they harvest the herd when the time for culling is near. And that time will come soon … much to soon for their unwilling captives.
However, the White Queen and her daughter will not allow themselves to be fed upon by these grotesques. Gluttony has been the bane for those of caring hearts and that hunger has fed them well. They know how to break their prisoners, how to make them give into the fear which surrounds them and despair from lack of hope. This technique has fractured the psyche of many and filled the stomach of the jailers, a notion which the newest captives will not allow happen to them. Violet will free her mother so they may escape, but how can they if their fellow detainees do not wish the same fate? Time has worked against them, corrupting their minds so they no longer know any other home but this fetid place. But they must be freed, even if it is against their will, for better or worse. Now if only they can pacify the monstrosities which serve as guards, vile deceivers most foul.
In Summary:
Just when I though that this story arc couldn’t get any more unnerving, then writer Erica Heflin releases the true beasts in the form of the Tweedles. The depths of human depravity have shown a new side, all thanks to the bony hand of Ace, but who knew that his influence could reach so deep into the human world? The sickness which has been shown seems to have taken a new turn, and it appears to be effecting Callie. We all knew that it was his agenda to twist the former Queen so she could not, or would not want to retake her throne. However, this new dagger which he has impaled into her back is doing a marvelous job of dividing her loyalties. He has torn asunder her confidence by attacking the love she once held and now it is only that which keeps Violet by her mother’s side. The horrors the Liddles once saw in Wonderland are now following them, and this tragic abomination is feeding upon them once again. It is only a matter of time until either they break her or she does the same to them.
Just when I thought this tale couldn’t get any more depressing, then Ferran Sellares and colorist Leonardo Paciarotti had to add their contribution to the narration. The stark bleakness which Sellares portrays from the beginning magnificently sets the tone and Paciarotti’s palette opens the gates to the madness even wider, enshrouding the pages as a whole with his skillful use of colors; this cleverly sets the mood with subtle changes which one does not notice until the effect overcomes the reader with the same delusions as the captives. It feels as if we are descending into the same depths as the Tweedles, the horror etched onto the faces of their prisoners tells the story more elegantly than mere words could ever do and the reactions hammers shut the coffin as we find there is no turning back.
Accents of crimson magnify the panels as we watch Sellares unfold the terror, trying to calm it with a placid face, but then that serenity is shattered with the next scene. Every image heightens the previous, building the apprehension of what will happen next, with it all decorated by violent splashes of Paciarotti‘s chemistry, the hues of blood making us feel more nauseated every drop sown into the ground. The pulse pounding tension reflects the same doubts which Callie feels, whether anyone will leave the place alive, and then last page turns the stomach, knowing that we will never look at food the same ever again. How can it get any better if it leaves that much of an impression, we can only hope that it will with the next issue.
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Wonderland is coming to a close and the team of Heflin, Sellares and Paciarotti are leaving us with an unpleasant taste in the mouth. But this development only makes us want more, to see how much more convoluted the story can become before the end. With each step the Liddles take, they delve deeper into that bottomless rabbit hole and we can only hope they will not impale themselves upon Ace’s talons.
Grade: A+
Rating: M (Mature)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: June 22nd, 2016
MSRP: $3.99
