Paint them all red. It’s going to get messy … isn’t it?
Creative Staff:
Writer: Erica J. Heflin
Art: Manuel Preitano
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 Terror enjoys bringing the horror of one’s past misdeeds to the surface; for isn’t that what nightmares are – the subconscious trying to manifest and make sense of what the conscious has wrought? How many dead now lay at the feet of the conqueror and how many more must fall for Wonderland to become sane again … if that is possible?
Cheshire must face his past as he tries to make sense of the Terror’s ramblings. He cannot hide from his misgivings nor can he be forgiven for what he has done in service to the White Queen. The cause may have been just, but why did so many have to fall by tooth and claw to bring stability to the realm? Why did he have to slaughter so many of his compatriots so that others may serve? Where is the sanity in that?
As he relinquishes the fight to his liege, Calie knows that she too much face her demons in order to defeat this cowardly shade. But, what will he find? Will he find a delicious banquet of delicacies as he did in her savage beast or just scraps to tempt him into her mind? What must the true ruler of Wonderland do: succumb to her fears or face them to find strength so she may forge forward? There is only one answer … the one she has embraced so long ago.
But, as the Terror lays vanquished, what of their new ally, the Squire? Can she truly be trusted? Though she did bring the En Passant, was it all a ploy to gain their confidence? Truth in Wonderland is a two sided coin: one side shows what one believes to be real and the is reality. What does she bring and what is the cost?
In Summary:
En Passant is a special move in chess used to capture a pawn. The artifact had the name of that technique, but could Heflin have had a double meaning that term? In Wonderland, who really is the pawn and who is moves it behind the scenes? Nothing is as it seems and no one can really be trusted as Preitano’s psychedelic artwork makes real Cheshire’s nightmares.
This issue’s story shows how one’s actions can have consequences and that those same deeds can haunt you if you cannot accept those results. It seems that Cheshire’s bravado was meant to hide his feelings of guilt; he still has not forgiven himself for all of deaths by his claws. But will this truth help him or cripple him? Perhaps he should confine in the Queen to draw on her strength to conquer his own misgivings?
Has the Squire has shown her true colours? Or was she really on their side? Her silence now speaks volumes as her actions may now unravel the palace from the inside. Nightmares abound in Wonderland and its feast may have just begun!
Grade: B+
Rating: 16+
Released By: Zenescope via ComiXology
Release Date: June 3rd, 2015
MSRP: $3.99
