Is it better to leave the past in the past or try to change it if you can?
Creative Staff:
Writer: David Wohl
Artwork: Anthony Spay
What They Say:
Journey back to the 19th century, when Liesel Van Helsing was fighting vampires alongside her father, Abraham. But when tragedy strikes and takes the life of a loved one, Van Helsing will attempt to change the past by finishing her greatest invention yet. But is altering past events even possible? And if so, at what cost?
You’ve never experienced H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine” quite like this!
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Liesel has always been voracious in pursuing what she loves, whether it be inventing new devices or stalking the sanguine murderers who prey upon the helpless. And as such, she has watched many die by the fangs of the ones which she hunts; but when that tragedy strikes too close to her own heart with the death of her cousin Marcus, her two passions must now intertwine to try to undo her mistake. A machine for traversing the temporal barriers had always been a fantasy until Liesel made it a reality, but with due warning from her father, will she or should she try to attempt such a trip?
Abraham’s words of disturbing the fabric of time were ominous indeed, but her guilt outweighs her logic as Liesel will pursue this madness no matter the cost. After all, the apparatus does need to be tested, and if she can save Marcus in the process, so much the better. Therefore, a little outing will not cause any harm … or so she thought. For the fourth dimension is a fickle domain and it is not someplace where the inexperienced should wander, but perhaps this adventure is something which our favourite vampire hunter must discover on her own? After all, what damage can a little jaunt into the past cause? If only she obeyed the words of her father … then Liesel would not have to learn of the suffering her expedition will bring to the past or the future.
In Summary:
Of course, it would take our favourite mad inventor/vampire hunter Liesel Van Helsing to start the first time traveling adventure into the Zenescope universe and the narrative of David Wohl makes this a great adventure. To be quite honest, when I saw this, I was thinking that it would be a Doctor Who parody where she would finish the trip, come home and find out that she had irrevocably changed the future into something even worse than before, and leave it at that since this was supposed to be a one-shot. But the limitations that Wohl put into the story makes her think over the decisions before acting and makes it a more provoking and evoking when she sees what her actions have done for the future, or is that present? These What If? stories always make the reader think about what they would do if they were placed in a similar situation and makes it a wise choice for the issue.
Then to set the mood, artist Anthony Spay brings his splendidly detailed pages, with majestic nuances gracing the illustrations, making the reader strongly immersed into an already brilliant story. Each panel works with the next, drawing the viewer into a tale which just needs sound effects and voice actors to make this a time traveling blockbuster, but with vampires! What could be better? Who wouldn’t want to become Liesel’s companion in this trip to help chop off a few heads? A beautiful yet strong female lead, action with bloodsuckers, disaster and hope to change it, Spay brings it in abundance and leaves us wanting for more. You cannot but be moved with this story.
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Van Helsing One-Shot is a wonderful interpretation on a classic tale when you mix tragedy with the death of someone close and a time machine. We may know what they will do, but the journey to the end is always a wild ride. This Zenescopic adventure may be finished for now, but the hopeful Not The End cliffhanger wanting and waiting for the next issue. Let’s just hope we won’t have to wait too long!
Grade: A+
Rating: 17+
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: December 9th, 2015
MSRP: $5.99
