Calie will never give into Wonderland … it will surrender to her.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Raven Gregory
Artwork: Allan Otero
Colors: Grostieta
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
As vast changes spread and wreak havoc in the world of dreams, Calie finds herself face-to-face with the latest incarnation of Wonderland’s twisted denizens… the new and improved caterpillar. While Calie fights for her life, Violet learns what the Duchess and Wonderland both want. The truth may drive us all mad.
Content: (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
The last thing Calie remembers was being confronted by a monstrous abomination of a Caterpillar, and now she finds herself falling into the suburban setting of a local supermarket … where strangely, no one takes any notice. Brushing of the debris from her impact crater, our heroine still cannot understand how anyone can ignore the chaos this crash has caused, and curiouser still is how everyone goes about their business. However before her temper can build in fury, the confused wander is pulled into a walk-in freezer by a cautious woman named Patricia who calms her down so that she can explain the truth behind this place. Although this location may appear real, in reality everything and anyone they see are figments of memories from a man named Albert Monarch, this store’s owner within Calico, Montana. For decades he charmed the people of the town and helped whenever he could, but what they did not know was he hid a dark secret – this grocery store was his hunting grounds. Everything seemed fine until the authorities finally caught on to his crimes and cornered the man within this very location, and with nowhere to go, the mirror appeared before him and offered a deal: if he serves Wonderland, Monarch could continue his misdeeds for all eternity – and he accepted.
However as Calie learns more of the mysteries behind her new foe, Violet finds herself restrained within the court of the Duchess, her voiceless children attending their visitor’s every need, as long as she doesn’t leave their side. But as the regally clad woman approaches her captive, this cautious girl does not let down her guard, eyes darting left and right for any lapse in judgment, all to beckon a means of escape. However as honeyed words close the gap between the past and present, this duplicitous ruler has an ulterior motive for getting this close to the former child of Wonderland – all she wishes for is information on how to bring this realm back to its former glory, a simple task. Although this may not seem like much, Colette knows it will require some meticulous picking through Violet’s memories, but she is not concerned getting her hands dirty, as long as she can find what is required. Although when the chore is done, the guest has no idea of what was taken or how it will be used … which is what her worries all the more disconcerting.
In Summary:
Just when I thought this series couldn’t become any more unsettling and wondrously memorizing, writer Raven Gregory slips in a twist which cracks a new path through the mirror and forces it open toward a new level of insanity. What makes this issue more effective is the two fold attack – one upon Calie and her fight to subdue a new Mad Hatter, the Monarch and then we see Violet’s struggle against the Duchess, each both being able to stand on their own, but also allows for personal attacks on the Liddle family, the former rulers. It is in this way do we see how the madness of Wonderland has claimed new servants to dictate its will, all while propagating from each victim’s own personal desires, thus allowing to anchor their psyche into a firm manipulation of their wills. As such, the path to victory is swayed toward a fanatical wish for accomplishment, the prey thinking if they fail on the long term goals of this realm, they will also lose any chance for success in their own goals – which in these cases would be correct. And yet within this distorted view these masochists gain power over others, the Monarch over Calie and the Duchess against Violet, in both struggles they push their control all while underestimating our heroines; and though the daughter still has yet to begin her fight, you cannot but automatically cheer for the Liddles, wanting then to win against the insanity which they have faced before, all if not for the peace of Earth, but also for tranquility within their own lives.
While the narrative itself is strikingly powerful, it is the magnificent artistic efforts of illustrator Allan Otero and colorist Grostieta which make this issue my favorite visually thus far within this series. They have your attention from the start with a seemingly normal display and subdued tones within Calie’s adventure, all until she makes an impact inside the supermarket, thus allowing sanity to gradually tumble downhill from there in utter bliss. However the one detail which seems insignificant are the costumes which are chosen for Calie, her mother Alice’s dress and that for Violet, her own mother Calie’s outfit when they first entered Wonderland on their own. Although we may not be privy to the deeper meaning of these clothes, on the surface they signal a new beginning within this altered realm, the persona being familiar, but the motivations are just as twisted as before.
However after the reader overcomes the seemingly normal set-up for the women, we are given the signature distortion which shows us this is Wonderland and not some delusional nightmare which one can be aroused from … it is their new reality. And nothing signals such an unsettling fright as the initial double page layout – I am thoroughly impressed by the synergy for this build up: to show Violet being comforted by the Duchess, her fears laid to rest with gentle words and soothing stokes to her cheek and then the shocking scene which I will certainly not forget anytime soon – the big reveal. And what makes it all the more effective are the warmth of Grostieta’s colors, and while they may be darker gradients which denote something sinister coming, they engender a sympathetic tone concerning Otero’s mood for the scene, one of a mother soothing a child before they break some bad news upon them unexpectedly. These emotional panels are disarming, you begin to remember Colette was once a caring parent before her trip to the land beyond the mirror, but this realm has now twisted her into what she is now, the Duchess. With this calming memory settled in the reader’s mind, this deceptive team shatters the placid atmosphere with what I consider one of the most disturbing moments within this entire franchise.
It is horrendous, the sound effect text is essential to galvanize such primal violence, with the Duchess showing her truest colors – she will do anything to make her dreams come true. The shock on Violet’s eyes, empty and barren is reflected within the clear ferocity of Colette’s, her goal is near and she will not stop until it is within her grasp. Then the smiles, her victim unable to emote any feelings, almost as if she is frozen within the moment, while the Duchess is bloodthirsty and hungers for the meal to come … the prey and the hunter. Then what focuses our attention and cements it for this event are the vivid action lines and electrifying bolts of energy, their momentum strengthened by the clever contrasting tones to the royal purple gown and headdress, all elements seeking to add to the shock factor, making you take notice of this story turning action. And yet just as sudden as the event, you cannot but admire this callous woman, her violence is shut off as quickly as it occurred, replaced by the calmness of a woman of pure breeding, making the scene appear as if it was a minor inconvenience. This is what makes the story so intriguing – kindness and violence balanced within one person, if it serves a purpose, the Duchess will go to any lengths to achieve her desires and those of Wonderland.
This issue of Revenge of Wonderland by far the most stunning for the series, both in a literary sense and visually compelling to tell a fanatic’s dreams made manifest. You cannot but admire both sides, heroes and villains, each moving forward by any lengths to seek what they wish for the most, whether they be morally ambiguous or serve someone’s sense of justice. Who is right and who is wrong is irrelevant as long as Wonderland is on their side, but for the time being, I cannot wait to see what will happen next and what kind of shocking turn this talented team will spring upon our unexpected audience.
Grade: A++
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: October 24, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
