When Keres is involved … never assume it will be a normal holiday.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini, Terry Kavanagh, Erica Heflin & Ben Meares
Artwork: Deivis Goetten, Julius Abrera, Marcelo Basile & Eman Casallos
Colors: Jorge Cortes, Fran Gamboa, J.C. Ruiz & Ceci de la Cruz
Letters: Fabio Amelia
What They Say:
From shocking twists on classic literature, to brand new takes on modern day urban legends, this terror-filled series re-imagines the creepy stories you know and love for a new generation of readers. Keres, the goddess of death, loves to punish those she deems deserving of her wrath, and many unsuspecting people who cross her path are about to learn a harsh lesson about morality.
Content: (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Costume Party
In preparation for her favorite holiday, the Goddess of Death invited some skeptical guests to her All Hallows Eve party, but they were not impressed. In lieu of receiving their wanted adult celebration with unlimited alcoholic drinks and uninhibited social intermingling, the trio are instead treated to an evening of horrific tales fitting to the season. While they may think Keres’ choice of decorations are old fashion, it is the stories which express another side of the holiday … one which they will soon never forget.
Jack-O’-Lantern
In the rural villages of Ireland, there is a tradition to keep evil spirits away during All Hallows Eve, and the fishing village of Claddagh is no exception, aside from school teacher Mr. Walshe. While class bully Geraldine continues to pick on the Dunphy brothers, the instructor is startled by a sudden appearance of Mayor Butler who insists in following the old practice of craving Jack-O’-Lanterns to protect the children. Although this man of science does not believe in such superstitions, he gives into the leader’s insistence and allows the class to carve the vegetables. Perhaps they serve another purpose than to frighten away mischievous phantoms – or is there some other reason from which they still exist?
Scarecrow
As three college friends are walking through the corn fields in Indiana, interest was sparked by a story of hidden pirate treasure told by Aaron, and though Nichelle and Chels were skeptical to the truth behind such tales, the former did have an idea along similar lines. While the possibility of such sea faring gold was almost impossible, there was the rumor of Civil War forces confiscating civilian possessions as they made their way through this area, with some having made it into soldier pockets. After finding a few silver coins thanks to a metal detector, they push their way through the grassy stalks, but when a sudden rustle from within made one answer with a swing from the device, the companions soon find themselves panicking from the results. What can they do in the middle of nowhere and will they be able to survive the results?
Poison Candy
Old Man Miller has the reputation around the neighborhood as being a strange person, and as such, people avoid going near his house whenever possible. However, what they do not know was he has lived a long life and remembered how he used to run outside and play pranks, not like children these days, who are too busy with their modern devices. This is why he loves Halloween, the one day of the year when he can see kids going from door to door begging for treats, but of course never to his place. Due to his standing in the community they stay away, and since he is not well, perhaps it is for the best, however just in case someone does decide to come by, Miller is ready with plenty of treats. This lonely man can still hope, wishing someone would stop by and break the taboo to visit … but will it be enough?
In Summary:
As the season for spooks and horror taints the air, we know Grimm Tales of Terror will not disappoint and this year is no exception as we receive an overflowing bag full of ghastly goodies. For when Keres greets us at the front door, you can expect nothing less and with a splendid congregation of scholarly talent, this special can only get better as the narrative progresses. Dave Franchini begins the issue with a wondrously thrilling yet calm prologue, introducing each epically disturbing tale and then concludes via a very satisfying epilogue, making this issue worthy of our favorite Goddess of Death’s reputation. But this does not mean the other writers can ease up by allowing the previous story to carry the weight, on the contrary, it appears each tries their best to top the prior narrative. For as we start with a serene retelling concerning the origins of Halloween by Terry Kavanagh, he gives us the first sincere clue this book will not be a straight forward horror trilogy, but will still take its influences from the holiday. However as Erica Heflin weaves her story with one of the mainstays for the holiday, the faceless scarecrow, the adventure takes a nod to forlorn revenge, with influences from Stephen King’s classic Children of the Corn. And yet the carnival of frights is not over as we are lead into the final standard by Ben Meares, centered around a forbidden house and the mysterious person hidden therein, granting the special a hint of an urban legend and the dangers contained therein, making it all the more supernatural. Every tale grants the reader a different view of the holiday, and with each a separate focus as to what makes the day frightening to different people, but they all lead to a singular conclusion – human ignorance. All played upon a lack of understanding, allowing for the imagination to create a viable explanation as to we cannot understand as truth or myth. It is this innocence of knowledge which allow the audience to make their own decisions, whether for good or bane, and in the end experience real comprehension as to what life has to offer.
And while the stories may create atmosphere, it is up to equally skilled artists to craft those words into a visual experience which compound events into moments of terrifying memories, and this selection has just those intentions. As before the intensity of this special climbs in earnest, with illustrator Deivis Goetten and colorist Jorge Cortes opening the issue with a disarming beginning, presenting Keres with a demeanor akin to an alluring hostess proudly showing off her collection of ghoulish amusements; even with all her outgoing charm and appeal, the haunting surroundings are made all the more grim due to an effective usage of somber colors, making for moments between main stories all the more chilling due to a mixture of adult fun and implicated horror. But just as before, the dismay considered within each tale shifts to fit the mood, and Julius Abrera does a profound job in downplaying the violence within a small Irish town, until it is too late. Fran Gamboa and J.C. Ruiz’s subdued palette also do an excellent job in communicating the nostalgic setting with inclusions of a sepia framework and darker tones within each panel, only accenting specific moments to heighten times of crisis and allowing effective use of lighting to change the mood. However when we reach Marcelo Basile’s contribution to this special, there is a drastic transition to a rougher and grittier drawing style, which somehow works with this horror aspect, but the choice in doing his own coloring is upsetting from the start, even as the limited array of tones toward the end makes his closing all the more chilling. However as we reach the finale, it is the humorously poignant display by artist Eman Casallos and colorist Ceci de la Cruz which bring out the best of what All Hallows Eve has to offer – the joy of being a child and getting as much candy as you can, all reinforced by the reality of what people expect. I could not but smile seeing a mini Van Helsing within the opening scene, Tina’s fearless attitude leading her gang of raiders to hit as many houses as possible, even when she chooses to go to Old Man Miller’s place … how could you not admire such courage? De la Cruz’s choice of darker colors provokes an ominous sense of the season, allowing the reader to feel the essence of that magical night, however you cannot but also see the happiness as they interact with the one person their parents warned them about, all outweighed by the pleasure of giant bars of chocolate. This final story truly encompasses the basis of the holiday: a bubbling cauldron of laughter, sugary sweets, garish costumes and the frightening aspect of the worst happening, even if it was all for fun.
We expected a lot from Grimm Tales of Terror 2018 Halloween Special, and it does not disappoint with formidable stories which eerily suit the season and a grand spectacle of terrifying artwork. The escalating horror helps to keep the reader entranced by this volume, allowing for peaked interest once each tale come to a close, all with an unexpected need for its continuation. This memorable special brings with it all we expect for a Zenescope Halloween issue – thrills, chills, mischief and a lesson that all is not what we expect it to be, especially when Keres is involved. It is what we want from the title and also what we need for this ghoulish holiday.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: September 12, 2018
MSRP: $3.99