All good things must come to an end … or perhaps a new beginning.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Deivis Goetten
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
While Merlin and Mordred fight an all-out war that will determine the fate of Camelot and possibly the world itself, Skye and Shang try to find a way to stop them and destroy the all-powered Grail. Don’t miss this special anniversary issue of Grimm Fairy Tales.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
The final confrontation has arrived – the Order of Tarot with its Emperor prepares their assault to reclaim the Grail from his brother, but first he must rally this troops. As the pompous Mordred starts his arduous tirade of proclaiming yet won victories, this ambitious ruler also voices his suspicions of traitors among their midst, only to have his conjecture answered when the King of Wands responds to these wild accusations. Ali, former student of Arcane Acre and a betrayer of friends once again reveals his vile hand, calling out the weakness of their king and how he could not protect his own Empresses, all before another infiltrator unveils her own desire for revenge – Morgan. As this powerful sorceress seeks justice for wrongs done to her in the past, it is only then do the true depths of this treachery unfold as new invaders enter the throne room, that in the form of her teacher Merlin and his Knights of the Round Table. Sibling rivalry has come to the forefront and now these two brothers must settle their differences in the only way they know … a fight to show who is stronger and which may claim the true power of the Grail.
However as these miscreants vie for control over a legendary relic, Skye and her allies have their own plans to thwart this sorcerer from gaining his desire, knowing they cannot count on the Realm Knights for assistance. But as Shang mentors his students, friends and compatriots, an unexpected visitor makes his presence known via an ebon plume of ethereal smoke: the harbinger Judgment. He has returned to Arcane Acre, this shelter for Highborn and Falsebloods to master their powers, with a warning for these protectors – their foe has collected all the pieces of the Grail. With everyone unsure of what they just encountered, the Guardian herself is uncertain if they can trust this ally of the Order, however Shang will not take the chance this messenger’s warning was not truthful and asks Mathers to gate them to Camelot. But as these crusaders prepare for the journey, Merlin and his followers are tasking themselves with something far more sinister – the completion of the artifact. As the Knights of the Round Table surround a stone ritual dais and await their just reward for this righteous crusade, the ceremony is interrupted by the inevitable arrival of heroes to save the day, but have they arrived in time or will this dance of death become one of finite futility?
In Summary:
After the epic build-up to this spectacular landmark issue, I can sincerely state all the tales leading up to this climatic cliffhanger have been worth it. Ever since we were introduced to elements from Order of Tarot within the past two years, readers knew some group had to take up the power vacuum left by the death of Malec and dissolution of the Horde, but it was never made transparent with much certainty. But as new characters made their impressions on the Zenescope Universe and unique individuals came to the forefront, it became clear there were some who would make a more forceful impact more so than others, and it is only now can we fully comprehend the focus this publisher was attempting. Writer Joe Brusha’s varied and scattered stories at first seemed nonsensical, but now that this issue brings those tangential tales in line through a wondrous tapestry, all of my misgivings are now unfounded. However, while the differential series still need some adjustments to make for a fully realized strategem, the underlying foundation is sturdy and allows for this issue to crystallize into something worthy of the lead up to what will surely be a phenomenal statement that will shake the Universe to its core … with some exceptions.
With all of the series encompassing a variety of side stories and introduction of new characters, there were bound to be some plot holes, and unfortunately, this climactic issue brings focus to a few glaring ones – namely the exposition of the Order’s superior power. Grimm Fairy Tales: Tarot brought all of the elements together and allowed readers to comprehend their span across several titles, collecting characters introduced from other series, namely Ali and Cindy to become the King of Wands and the Queen of Swords. And while Talisman and Nataliya have now accepted their roles as the King and Queen of Pentacles, although their role within this narrative was short but understandable, it seems highly unlike our favorite homicidal blonde would stand back and do nothing during Merlin’s assault; after all Cindy loves nothing more than to let loose and kill anyone and everything within her path, and yet, she did nothing, seemingly either captured or also fled with the traitors, which in itself is very doubtful. But the most incomprehensible component within this narrative is how the Order of Tarot was so easily defeated, after all they demolished the Order of Light within the aforementioned title and seemed unstoppable, but now they are decimated by Merlin and his Knights of the Round Table … all due to overconfidence and betrayal – it does not seem possible. It was almost as if Brusha wanted to wrap up the fight so as to proceed to the spectacular showdown with Skye and her allies, but if this was the case, then why create an inclusive build up over the past few years just to end it with a pitiful conclusion? It would make more sense to have the showdown between brothers be the deciding match and then have the confrontation against the Guardian of the Nexus be the title round, but instead, we are left with a counter punch which leaves us disappointed as to the ending. But of course, due to title discontinuity, readers know some of our heroes will survive, spoiling the build-up to the continuation and what will of course hopefully be a worthwhile showdown.
Correspondingly with such a wide-reaching landmark, you cannot deny the stunning visual representation within this book is what makes these pages stand out, so much so by which they easily outshine any previous issue in their respective grandeur and spectacular representation as to the characters and their bold ambitions. Amazingly talented illustrator Deivis Goetten has your attention from the beginning, creating a domineering atmosphere with a singular portrait of the Emperor, his sinister existence made all the more menacing thanks to Jorge Cortes’ ominously dark palette, allowing for gradients of black to barely veil his all-powerful presence, elegantly accented by touches of burnished gold and muted scarlet on the throne. And yet this projection of a suffocating malice continues onward thanks to this brilliant synergy of tyrannical imagery and oppressive mixture of shadows and slivers of color working together so magnificently you cannot but feel somewhat nauseated by the brutality within the extended conference room. Then add the haunting choice of using black word bubbles for this ruler’s words and we are left with a mood of sheer maleficence, only to be barely lifted at times by nuanced touches of crisper tones to emphasize living beings within this frigid mausoleum. Even as you watch this undead madman rant to his followers, this wondrous artistic team does not forget to keep the reader engaged, be it via a subtle suggestion of allure by exposure of a shapely leg, it is just enough until the setting explodes with the unusual switch to a white framing, allowing for our attention to be shifted to Ali and his grandiose transition. You cannot but be impressed by this modest transformation from a suffocating cryptic atmosphere to one of formidable exuberance, challenging the unmoved skeletal visage with an almost imperceptible shift in emotion, from amused to perturbed by this impudence. And it only gets better from there … if that is at all possible.
Even if the suffocating inclusive of a black veiled environment meant to intonate hopelessness is oppressive at times, you cannot deny the effectiveness of this simple technique is used to its utmost efficacy to grant us wonder as to this splendid scenery. While this filter may present muddy images at times, the overall effort of presenting a merciless atmosphere is easy outweighed by this minor inconvenience. One cannot deny this scene film works to Goetten’s advantage, allowing for a strength and definition to be produced upon his illustrations without overpowering the clarity with darker lines to denote power. Every panel creates its own miniature panorama of excellence, paralleling both Evil and Good with their own equality of ambitions to conquer the other, either out of sheer malicious satisfaction or the knowledge they have punished those who would do cruelty. This issue has been a wondrous menagerie of artistic supremacy, every page seemingly with an inbred need to surpass the previous, but when seen in an all-encompassing magnification, you cannot deny any issues which follow this brilliance will be hard pressed to excel in its sheer resplendence or dazzling accomplishment.
Grimm Fairy Tales has in the past presented us with spectacular escapades into wondrous lands to show its audience the scope of the Zenescope Universe, and yet this landmark issue is remarkable in the fact this splendid adventure has been confined to one realm by considering how wide-reaching a single man’s ambitions can be in themselves. And while the book may have has some stumbles in the undertaking, one cannot deny the dazzling momentum by which it propels readers via a dizzying narrative and rapturous artistic sublimity. Merlin may have been introduced as an interesting side character which some may have not deemed important, however, due to his unkept motivations he has exploded into someone who cannot be denied due to his sheer audacity. And while we may have once seen his enthusiasm prove to be too grand for his wishes, it seems the time for a greedy wizard to achieve his desires has finally arrived … no matter how many will have to suffer – or all due to that selfish zeal.
Grade: A+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: January 09, 2019
MSRP: $5.99
