Always expect the unexpected … especially when Robert Ripley is involved!
Creative Staff:
Writer: Ben Meares, Oliver Kaplowitz, Dale Mettam, Annie Nocenti & Howard Mackie
Artwork: Deivis Goetten, Marcelo Basile, Renzo Rodriguez, Moy R., Fred Harper & Lucas Meyer
Colors: Ceci de la Cruz, Robby Bevard, Marco Lesko, Fran Gamboa w/J.C. Ruiz & Jorge Cortes
Letters: Charles Pritchett
What They Say:
This two issue series includes duo forty-eight-page anthologies of some of the most phantasmagorical oddities in the Robert Ripley collection, written and illustrated by an equally mind-blowing mix of comic book legends and rising stars. Featuring writers Howard Mackie, Victoria Rau, Ben Meares, and many more! You’ll have to see it to believe it!
Content: (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Framing Sequence
A skeptical man and his wife are visiting the captivating Ripley’s Odditotium in Brandon, Missouri, and as all guests, they are greeted by a hypnotic hologram of the collector and encouraged to enjoy his displays from around the world. And while she may be fascinated by the exhibits, he is annoyed for having to spend time within such a boring place, until he spots an unusual piece …
Egyptian Cats
In ancient Babylon King Camnyses demanded the daughter of Pharaoh Amasis as his prospective wife, all in an effort to appease the greedy king, but not willing to hand over his daughter, the wily ruler sends a body double. Not fooled by this flimsy ruse he demands his advisors to prepare for invasion; although her father is willing to face the inevitable, Princess Nitocris boldly states their patron goddess Bastet would have protected Egypt if she was allowed to go to Persia. However this parent is will not allow such a sacrifice, for is they abandon their values, then they cannot call themselves Egyptians … but is this the right choice?
Frozen Girl
In frosty upstate Minnesota a worried girl is in a rush to get home before a winter storm closes in, however as she speeds along the icy road, more concerned about changing the radio station, she does not see a vigilant rabbit before it is too late. Slamming on her breaks the car swerves and spins out of control, before it abruptly crashes and violently impacts against a tree. Thinking it would be better to try to walk home instead of spending the night in a cold car, she begins her long trek down the isolated road, but can she make it back before it begins snowing?
Irish Giant
During the late 18th century a kindly boy named Charles was born to a rural Irish couple, and while they were happy, it was quickly noticed he was growing at a faster rate than others his age. As the years passed, his dimensions progressed but a generous nature never waned, even when he decided to move to London to earn his fortune. However once the man arrived in the prosperous city and continued to help those in need with his eight foot height, there were those who were jealous, including a certain doctor who wanted to learn his secrets and would do anything to fulfill this thirst for knowledge.
Winchester Mansion
The Winchester name has always been known for the manufacture of deadly weapons of war, killing several thousands at the hands of conquerors using their famous rifles. The family quickly grew rich from the profits and its patriarch William married a beautiful woman named Sarah, and thorough this union they welcomed a young girl named Anne, but this joy did not last long. The child died at a young age and while her husband threw himself into his work, his wife fell into a deep depression, only to grow worse when he too passed a few years later. Even though she inherited the family fortune this did not bring any happiness, and so to soothe her own sadness Sarah consulted a medium to see what had brought all this tragedy … and it was a very ominous reading.
Stingy Jack
Long ago there was a nasty bully who took great pleasure in tormenting his fellow pub patrons by the name of Jack, and while many wanted to pay him back for the foul tricks, it was only his silver tongue which freed him from numerous wanted beatings and granted many free drinks. One night a mysterious stranger entered this tavern as he was searching an easy mark, and it was his dapper manner of dress which stood out, indicating this might be another person which he could easily swindle. Complimenting this gentleman’s clothes Jack immediately started up a conversation and told the barkeep to set them up with a round of the house’s finest, all to be paid for by his new best friend. It was only when he was addressed by name did they all sense something strange, with Jack being taken aback when told this man could see the blackness of his soul due to all the troubles he stirred up for others. Laughing at this ridiculous generalization, Jack contends the only way he could know this is if he was the Devil himself … to which the boulevardier confirms with a sly grin.
In Summary:
While the first issue of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! concerned itself with believable and relatable tales of tragedy and strange twists of fate, I found this book more suitable to the somber side of humanity – focused on the grim nuances of permitting people to succumb to their own foolish choices, allowing for a richer and more disturbing turn of events. When I think of Zenescope, these are the kind of stories which I most enjoy, reading a narrative driven by a person’s own decisions and seeing those events fully bloom into something which becomes extraordinary, whether due to outside forces influenced by those motivations or skewed due to a wrong path chosen. You cannot fully blame the character for their inclinations, but once their own personality becomes slanted toward one moral side or a significant twist of events, it cannot be changed and must be faced for better or worse. It is these powerful incentives which allow such talented writers as Ben Meares, Oliver Kaplowitz, Dale Mettam, Annie Nocenti and Howard Mackie to present wondrously flesh out tales which have anchors in reality, thus causing the reader to reflect on the narratives with equal passion and insight as to what they would have done in the same circumstances. But at the same time when you look upon the people themselves, it almost seems as if their options lead to a warped self fulfilling prophecy – no matter what they chose, fate had laid out a plan long in advance. This is especially true with this finale, each person had a simple choice to make, and yet no matter how contradictory to logic or common sense they chose, it always lead to something dreadful happening and leading to their recognition in the Ripley’s Odditotium … and this is what makes this series so satisfying on a primal level.
With such a rich calliope of human drama, you would think the artwork should also echo these strange twists of destiny crafted with such literary excellence, and it does all thanks to the skillful illustrations by Deivis Goetten, Marcelo Basile, Renzo Rodriguez, Moy R., Fred Harper and Lucas Meyer plus the emotive palettes of Ceci de la Cruz, Robby Bevard, Marco Lesko, Fran Gamboa w/J.C. Ruiz and Jorge Cortes, in all their wondrous splendor. While at times the artistic displays may be crude compared to some more refined portrayals within the issue, they all wonderfully suit the mood of the story, allowing for the reader to become impassioned with the narrative and allowing it to produce an harmonious attitude for the audience when reflecting on the depth of the tale. It is then when the color selections materialize the emotional fervor within each episode, either producing a somber undertone or allowing for the unfolding events to gradually envelope the viewer – either method produces a dramatic effect, only encouraging for a more in-depth look into the results of hasty actions or foolish decisions. Through this elementary visual collaboration the reader is allowed to understand how simple choices can lead to consequences, either understandable or haunting, and leave us wanting even more.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has been an enjoyable escapade into the weird and unexpected, and however you may interpret the actions of human fallacies, it usually results in a learning experience for generations to come. While the odd may be strange and the unexpected is surprising, either way they leave us with an impression which will hopefully make us all the more wiser, even at the cost of the foolish. Either way this finale only leaves us with the understanding that no one can comprehend everything and it is through comprehension of all available knowledge do we only become truly enlightened.
Grade: A-
Series Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: November 14th, 2018
MSRP: $5.99
