The final battle approaches … but can or will anyone survive?
Creative Staff:
Writer: Pat Shand
Artwork: J.G. Miranda
Colors: Ceci de la Cruz & Slamet Mujiono
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Ali Devenar has made a deal with Death, a Horseman of the Apocalypse, and it is does not bode well for his past friends. But then again, after the loss of Hailey, he has never wanted anything from those at Arcane Acres who he used to call his companions; if Death can give him what he wants, then Ali will make that contract, no matter what the cost or the consequences. All this Harbinger wishes is the return of the Dark Light which Marian capture in their last battle – present it to him as an offering and he will be able to re-shape the world as he sees fit. But even as these two beings negotiate as to compensation, Marian and her former best friend Robyn are trying to make amends as to their actions from the start of the cataclysm. Both are sorry for their mistakes, but with the end of the world looming, they decide to end with a clean slate and settle everything they regret.
However, as the two former inhabitants of Nottingham renew their relationship, it seems that Cindy is not playing well with the rest of the coven. Polly has taken account of her past deeds and they are not happy with this blonde’s transgressions and thus are giving chase. But while this mob of witches may want to resolve matters, the last Horseman Famine has other plans to this escapade and makes his appearance. This bringer of hunger will have revenge for Robyn’s part in pacifying his brothers, but does she have Cindy’s help in this battle? The once psychotic murderer is now conflicted as to what she must do, for a previous dealing with Death presented an offer for survival. As her partner futilely launches wave after wave of projectiles at the ghoulish demon, this once overconfident assassin is now quivering as to her indecision. Will she make the right choice or is this truly the end of the human race?
But even as Robyn and friends face off against a seemingly unbeatable foe, Hades and Liesel spend one more night together. The God of the Underworld reminiscences about their first date and how she asked how many people he had killed – his answer was as indifferent as his personality itself. For the millennia he has lived, he forgot all of the things he had done … until now. His once healthy skin now corrupted by the touch of the Pale Rider, his veins painting a rotting pathway to his own death. Hades has made peace with his quickly approaching mortality, for he knows nothing can be done to stop it; he will not live another sunrise, but this god will not wait for his own demise, even if he accepts it – while his love does not. Angelica herself has recovered and she too is willing to help her father met his end, and they as a family shall meet this final adversary, and whatever fate it may bring.
In Summary:
Just when I thought Pat Shand couldn’t outdo Van Helsing vs. Frankenstein, then I read this title and am left totally speechless! We all knew that this series would have an impact on the Zenescope universe, but the sacrifices, both meaningless and nobly selfless, were more than I could have ever imagined. I am still shocked by the deaths of some of the most popular characters in the Grimm Fairy Tales mythos, but their tragedies also do fulfill the purpose for the closure for this storyline, even if the loss is so gut wrenching and heartbreaking.
Since the end of the series Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Robyn Hood and the beginning of this title, we always knew that the repercussions of the Cabal’s actions would have some meaning on the world. But who could have ever guessed that Shand’s story could shake us to the core this phenomenally and with such fervor that I would still cry whenever I re-read this series? At first the actions of these misfits seemed only congruous to preserve the pact that self serving group had with the Horsemen, but once they had to reassemble to further reinforce the portal, we saw how unsteady the alliance was in actuality. From the very start Robyn and Marian had disagreements on how to best settle the contract, and it was from here that everything began to fall apart. That tragedy was the blow which broke apart one of the most endearing friendships I have ever witnessed in a graphic novella and of course, it was also the single stumbling block which predicated the fall of everything to follow. Nothing was ever the same – the consequence of that single disagreement would trigger what was to come and in part, also allowed the Horsemen to progress as far as they could within the narrative. If they never allowed this mistake to take hold as firmly as it did, then perhaps the reverberations would not have had such profound and lasting effects for us all. But then again, if Shand never orchestrated such an incredibly inspiring tale of relational drama, then we as readers would not have enjoyed it as much as we do.
However even with the best of narratives, nothing can be presented to the audience in a visual medium without the talent of someone as amazing as J.G. Miranda. His striking splash pages and impressively audacious double layouts are so incredible that sometimes you just need to stop to stare. From the very start, he gave us a spectacular display of this cataclysm: breathtakingly extensive landscapes which portrayed the gradual decay of the world, astonishing enemies who chilled us to the bone – making us believe in the existence of the Four Horsemen, sensational battles of such complex diversity that you are dumbfounded by the depth of detail and most important of all: the brilliant expressiveness of each characters’ face. This last element was the most telling of all, the remarkable representation of such vivid emotion that a single panel could communicate an overwhelming torrent of feelings that words were not necessary; but then Miranda further links each following expression with a flurry of equally emotive nuances, ones which merge into a scene that would be barren without such a display of raw and unfettered emotion.
But these illustrations themselves would have no meaning in their primal state, it takes the skill of people such as Ceci de la Cruz and Slamet Mujiono to breath life into this vast canvas. From the premier issue de la Cruz cast a spell upon these mammoth landscapes, decorating the work of Miranda with a dizzying array of colors that synergistically combine into an arrangement which gives us something comparable to a cinematic masterpiece. From the blush of a color on a subtle cheek, the dismal greys and shadows of barren ruin, the neontastic energy of forbidden spells and eye popping effects and the frenetic explosions of unimaginable battles of an epic scale, none of this would be possible without her mastery of the artistic palette. You have to shudder in complete awe as to her pages, the grandeur of these overwhelming portraitures in which she can encompass and contain such ferocity that the viewer must stop reading just to stare at the beauty … even if the subject can negate the inspiring mood which her colors bring to the scene. The title as a whole is a dazzling treat, one of visual majesty and at the same time, with a flip of a page, can bring the audience to a standstill by the nauseating beasts which stand in the path of victory.
However while de la Cruz brings us into this world with her incredible portrayal of stunning environments, it is Slamet Mujiono who brings it to a fitting end with a depressingly morose, if not completely satisfying, close. While both colorists are tasked with defining and enhancing Miranda’s illustrations, it is Mujiono whose skill brings those last pages such a somber tone that we ourselves cannot but feel sadden even more by the subject matter. As the heroes bury their dead, the darkened filter which we see the characters brings a tone which drawings alone could never elaborate or hope to emphasize. The image of a full moon in a cloudless sky, people illuminated by crackling torches, figures dressed in black and their skin overcast by the lack of light – this all brings such a heartfelt sadness that you cannot but help to shed meaningful tears. The story has come to an end, but the suffering thanks to these images has yet to set in and will continue once we close the book.
Grimm Fairy Tales: Apocalypse is a masterpiece which will be forever be vaulted to being one of my favorites from the Zenescope universe. Shand’s wholly satisfying story of unfettered violence and emotional earnestness, plus the unequaled artistry of Miranda and de la Cruz which envelopes the reader within an environment which delivers on both a visual and poignant level, creates a tapestry which leaves us feeling so drained that you cannot but help to be fulfilled and yet empty at the same time. This alchemic concoction of unyielding heroes versus the unfathomable power of impossible odds presents a tale which is so primal in the telling that it will become a classic to which others will be compared.
As I close this review, I cannot but help to remember Dylan Thomas and his refrain: Do not go gentle into that good night. When I read this series, that singular line kept echoing in my head – its haunting meaning and poignant sentiment so beautifully underlined my understanding of the narrative. And now that it is over … the combination of story and poem tugs at my heart so much so that it is unbearably painful. I will sincerely miss the characters now missing from the Grimm Tales mythology, but at the same time, their passing leaves a hole which may never be filled or an opening for something even greater.
Grade: A+++
Series Grade: Unbelievably Mind Blowing!
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: February 15, 2017
MSRP: $5.99