Wonderland always needs to play … even when you don’t want to hear the call.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Raven Gregory
Artwork: Allan Otero
Colors: Grostieta
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
As the Duchess continues to claim victims from the real world, Calie Liddle does her best to ignore the signs that something ominous may be drawing her back into a battle she long thought she and her daughter Violet had escaped. Meanwhile, Violet’s investigation into the missing children leads her to believe that the realm of madness has indeed returned, and the nightmare that is the insanity of Wonderland is only beginning.
Content: (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Marie finally found the proof she was after – appreciation Wonderland is real and all of the stories Calie told were true, but does she truly want understanding or is it something else? The woman who steps through the looking glass claims to have all of the answers, but as they depart from this land, the one on the other side is not what the curious redhead expected. However, it is far too late for any further objections as the poor girl is made a servant of the court, as with the missing children this new royal had taken previously, all to their silent disagreement. Although this voiceless arrangement may have been reached without protest, it does not mean others have not been watching … as a sudden jolt back to reality stirs curiosity within the Liddles, but to different extents.
Now that Violet is awake, she takes up her regular routine, searching for sightings of her former life or disappearances linked to that forgotten time and she finds one which is too coincidental – the missing daycare class. Seeing no other option than to investigate, the daughter makes arrangements and drives to San Diego, only to find the crime scene cordoned off and all the easier to let herself in. While a cursory survey reveals nothing and makes her think Calie might be right, it is only once she looks deeper into the bloody scenery does a secret reveal itself. Taking the utmost haste to wake the only one who might believe her, Violet heads to her mother’s condo, only to find the former Queen non-responsive to the wild allegations about Wonderland. It is not the first time she has made such outlandish statements, but as the annoyance mounts, her daughter sees the withdrawn nature of this parent – only multiplied by uninhibited self-medication to quiet the voices inside. Overcome by indignation, Violet leaves in utter frustration determined to solve the problem herself, not wanting to face this useless person who does not want to acknowledge the truth of their past. But is this the end of this conflict … or does someone else have something else in mind?
In Summary:
This title becomes all the more invasive as we delve deeper into the pervasions of this new ruler, but at the same time, the contagion of lunacy lures us in with such subtly we cannot but cannot wonder if we are going mad ourselves. It is through the fiendish manipulations of circumstances by which writer Raven Gregory crafts a story that allows the audience to tentatively step into the tainted waters of Wonderland; this hesitant development permits new readers to question what is happening, but also acknowledges the understanding of previous fans to comprehend there is something else happening which connects to the past. It is this looming narrative which makes the title such a pleasure to read, knowing there are plans happening beyond the mirror, but at the same time on Earth, Violet has her investigative obsession to keep herself occupied. It is this change in family dynamic which has the most pronounced effect on the narrative: in previous titles, we have watched Calie be the one in charge, with her rebellious daughter along for the ride only due to the family curse and obligation. But now her child is the one who has to take the lead, roles reversed in the former Mad Hatter becoming protector due to the abdicated White Queen having fallen into a version of PTSD, turning to self-medication of drugs and alcohol to forget the past, even as she relives it in her books. However the most powerfully moving event of the story was seeing Violet confront Calie after discovering the kidnappings, trying to convince her mother Wonderland is stalking them, and the dream has become a nightmare once again, only to have her heartfelt plea turned away. It is shocking to see the once domineering monarch reduced to a shell of her former self, all due to her being too consumed due to self-pity. However all of her harsh words are for naught as we see a familiar white rabbit, shockingly reminiscent of the same one Alice saw so many years ago … and we all know what happened after those traumatic events. And yet even with that turning point, the most repercussive moment is to see Calie’s premonition become reality and defining what she will do for her child, even return to what she hates the most … Wonderland.
As we become haunted by the narrative itself, this title would not be as powerfully effective without the visually absorbing imagery of Allan Otero, lending both beauty and a sense of chilling delusion to the insightful story of lunacy given form. To witness the journey of Marie at the beginning is disarming, watching as she follows an alluring regal woman through the looking glass, and yet it is made all the more fascinating thanks to the subtly rich colors of Grostieta, lending a remarkable realism to this innocent opening. The control of shadows allows for gradual disclosure within the scene, gripping every corner and curve making it seem as if this is a world being reborn, but once this temptress springs her trap, the alarming use of brighter tones via vivid action lines and startling burst of light makes the reader aware something is going to happen within this escape to madness. And yet as we return to the real world, Otero still makes us question if sanity is far away with his disarming dream sequence and the amusingly innocent sleeping moon frame – blissfully snoozing in peaceful slumber and on the opposing side, the nightmarish consequences of bad dreams. This duality within the issue is gripping, seeing the steadfast determination of Violet to chase down delusions as the former and Calie tries to smother them through denial and depressants being the latter. It is unreal to watch the younger become the stronger of the two, even as the once determined White Queen tries to deny any of it was real. These two beauties are both captivating in their strengths, but it only once the child is pacified do we see the true power of a parent. We know something has happened when observing the white rabbit becoming reality, but is the captivating page toward the end in which you cannot but smile, seeing that single panel with a black garment bag wrapped with locks, chains, and yellow Caution Keep Out tape, allowing us a hint that Calie does not want to open this package. This is the new beginning … and with its unveiling, nothing will be the same again.
Revenge of Wonderland may tempt us with a carrot to go down the rabbit hole, but it is the strength of an ever-changing narrative and captivating artistry which keeps us coming back. To see the allure of a new ruler tempt innocents through the looking glass is disarming, but it is the strength and determination of the Liddle family to keep the portal closed which makes the narrative so enticing. Role reversal is a classic literary method to resurrect the interest within established characters, but in this case, it is amusing to watch the younger become the responsible one as the parent tries to rebel against reason. However as we return to stories which beguiled readers so long ago, this new title introduces us to the madness which will hopefully persuade another generation to embrace it with equal admiration once again.
Grade: A+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: August 15, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
