Be ever bold, ever vigilant and most importantly … never underestimate the enemy.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Ario Murti
Colors: Ivan Nunes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Don’t miss this special tribute issue to the women and men who help preserve and protect our freedom! Featuring an all new short story set in the Grimm Universe and special pin up artwork by some of the industry’s top talent.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
A mysterious cloaked figure strides confidently forward through the hallowed halls of The National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. as she pays honor and respect to the relics of the past. This person has not come to this sacred place with any ill will, but instead roams the corridors with a sense of dignity, to remember the fallen and those who serve this country valiantly. But as she progresses and reflects upon the sacrifices of her forebears, it is the present which fills this intrepid champion with a sensation of unease, knowing what awaits her at the end of this journey will not be as gracious as the passage of time itself.
In Summary:
As always with any of the marvelous Zenescope pinup specials which the publisher has produced over the years, one would ordinarily think the collection of cheesecake would be the draw for these issues, but in this singular case, your average reader would be completely wrong. If you are familiar with the previous books presented to us by writer Dave Franchini, then you know it is his stories which make the issues so unique, and this is no exception, or rather one of his best narratives. But of course, this is due to the character which is the basis for the telling, however at the same time, she is one which is a mystery due to the lack of information which the audience has received. The first time we ever saw this siren was during the Kickstarter project for Grimm Fairy Tales Coloring Book Boxed Set; however she was only revealed after a certain monetary goal was reached and even then, there were no details given aside from that stunning image and her name – Belle. And now after a month worth of speculation, a partial revelation is finally given within the literary treasure which is the Grimm Fairy Tales Armed Forces Edition.
Although in order to keep the subtlety of this new character intact, Franchini used the classic film technique of an obscured figure walking into the room; this effect of combining a cloaked person plus the vitality of a determined and gallant internal monologue adds to the mystique of a lone stranger walking into the museum, and in all other ways, astutely introduces her to the readers for the pleasure of all. The words she uses reverberates to the patriotism of history, the strength of her convictions and a will to drive forward due to family legacies; but what makes one chuckle is the addendum Belle adds at the end of the story, signaling all of these strengths are only but half of her resolve, making us think her true strength is something to hold in complete awe. While the mythology of Zenescope has always held the heroine in high esteem, this singular introduction appears to project something more, a sense of power to protect those who need it most, even if they never know who it was which saved them. It is this intrigue which makes this woman someone whom we can look forward to knowing even better … all through the painful wait until next year.
And as we become enveloped within this gripping and gravitating story, it is the artwork of Ario Murti which makes reading this tale all the more satisfying, and the excellence of presentation strengthens the character into someone we would not want to meet in a dark alley. The decision to synchronize her monologue with a tour through the museum gives her tale solemnity as she honors her father’s ancestors, every thought and statement linked to an artifact or image which fortifies that perception into something more, solidifying her convictions. The American flag, George Washington’s uniform, an old cannon, a Civil War ironclad, replica of the Iwo Jima Memorial and even her absent father, all of these pictures invoke memories which connect her history to the present, into something which makes her stronger. And while these images may be simple and static, the detailing which Murti puts in each of the panels within this five page spread is so effective that text boxes only help to magnify the strength of every picture, and when they are combined, it helps to project an even more decisive collage of Belle’s virtue in fulfilling her destiny. Then add Ivan Nunes’ command of the digital palette to this tapestry and it reveals an added spectrum of her narrative: the opening is cold and austere, harkening through history, a darkness which cannot or will not be forgotten, but accented by remarkable moments of clarity. They start with cold shadows but gradually warm up with brighter colors until we come to a memory of her father, with a cloud filled sky streaked by sunlight streaming down, illuminating him in a heartfelt light. All of these pictures compose what is our heroine, from the past to the present, giving her the will to strive forward into an uncertain future. As the old saying goes – sometimes simplicity is the best solution, but you can always inject it with power.
Grimm Fairy Tales Armed Forces Edition is an alluring compendium of variant covers and past promotions which any dedicated Zenescope fan will want for their collection, but once again it is the story which is the real prize of the book. While we may have been enticed by scantily clad heroines and villains within scandalous versions of armed forces uniforms, all of these serve only as distractions for the true purpose of this title – promotion of a new savior to the Zenescope mythos. However, I cannot believe I am saying this, all of the cheesecake is a waste since the tempestuous tale was too fleeting and only serves to whet our appetites of what is to come. I know I will not be the only one who cannot wait for the true arrival of Belle in January, and only wish we had more to tide us over. Let us hope we will receive more temptations as patiently watch for the announcement of her title with bated breath.
Grade: A-
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: August 23, 2017
MSRP: $5.99
