The best stories may be fiction … until they are proven otherwise.
Creative Staff:
Story: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini & Brian Studler
Writers: Brian Studler, Joe Brusha & Billy Hanson
Artwork: Deivis Goetten
Colors: Maxflan Araujo
Letters: Fabio Amelia
What They Say:
This volume reprints Grimm Tales of Terror presents: The Bridgewater Triangle and the short story “Curse of the Wampanoag” published by Zenescope Entertainment. First Edition, October 2021
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Danny and his friends are taking a field trip to Hockomock Swamp located in the Bridgewater Triangle of Massachusetts, but as he tries to explain his fascination with the area all they can do is make jokes and complain about having some breakfast. After stopping at the local diner a familiar red headed waitress asks the group why they are in the area and with the technical explanation she understands his interest but has one warning: do not spend the night in the swamp. Although the rest are wary of local legends and wish to heed the woman’s advice, Danny insists on ignoring it since he is more concerned of learning the truth behind these tales. But as they discuss the wrongs done against the Wampanoag people who lived here and how in their anger invoked a dark god named Hobomock, they quickly discover they are lost and now have no choice but to camp in this forbidden area.
After setting up camp and relaxing before a warm fire, the friends have Danny tell them about various lore and monsters of the area but one inhabitant sparks their interest – pudwudgies are mischievous creatures who roam the marshes and for the most part harmless unless provoked. The night progresses with more stories of about the area but they finally decide to turn in, but one couple is not interested in sleeping but other nocturnal pursuits, but there is not enough room in the cramped tent. Going against their better judgment Jeff and Terry wander off into the forboding darkness until they discover an abandoned summer camp and decide to go exploring, as they roam what are supposedly rotting cabins an odd event occurs – a discarded rubber ball bounces into their path. While they may think it was just the wind after searching the rooms their wanton desires come back but the mood is broken with another toy rolling across the floor. With anger taking over Jeff shouts into the night to find nothing, however as he comes back Terry hears something scurrying unseen around the dark corners with frustration made worse as the intruder begins to laugh at their escapades. Taking up the closet weapon the pair decide to face their opponent … but are they ready to see what has followed them from the haunted woods?
In Summary:
With the series finally coming to memorable end, it is somewhat disappointing a majority of the narrative was dependent upon the clichéd trope of slasher films: driving characters into an impossible scenario and then slowly pick them off one by one, and sadly this conclusion was no exception with Danny finally finding what he was searching for throughout the title. Although it was satisfying to see the foundational elements which writer Joe Brusha had created within Grimm Universe Presents Fall 2019 make a return with literary contributions by Billy Hanson, the issues leading to this finale were more based upon human needs and fears rather than a stirring basis for the curse of Hockomock Swamp: the slaughter of the Wampanoag by John Laxton which lead to cryptids being released into the area. But thankfully Brusha and Hanson are able to refocus our attention to the true intentions of the original tale, and as such we are given something which is truly rooted to the underlying meaning and thus the thrills of this finale are more meaningful to what Danny always intended this trip – to search for the elusive creatures which drew him to the Bridgewater Triangle. And while we were momentarily lost, this wondrous closure helps to round out the introduction and bring everything full circle, allowing for the tribe to have a new voice which is all the more repercussive thanks to his loss, with the trauma made more purposeful as Danny relives memories and see his friends and their painful suffering, allowing the details now burned into his consciousness all as he thinks his escape is complete.
Even as we are submerged within the gloomy setting of Hockomock Swamp, one cannot deny it is the incredibly intense illustrations of Deivis Goetten which allow the audience to become so enthralled with these stunning stories, with the emotional emphasis and pronounced anxiety brilliantly displayed within Maxflan Araujo’s glorious scenery, which are so elegantly painted with such definition one cannot but stare in awe to witness the nuances one misses after a casual glance of the page. This spectacular combination of visual elements allows the reader to become absorbed within this memorizing panorama of the unknown, and while you are stunned by the forgotten features of firelight reflecting off an actor’s face or a subdued full moon making people appear to be even more mischievous, it is this undeniable synergy that makes every panel a masterpiece unto itself. You cannot but smirk as Danny tries to impress Rachel and then feel his pain as he wallows in misery, all while hearing someone else succeed as he attempts to ignore the celebration which threatens to keep him awake all night. This somber expression is a welcomed introduction of something menacing to come, even if there is no musical cue to signal the event, it is the inescapable horror etched onto his face which allows us to know something is approaching … and this time we acknowledge it is the last to face his fears, even as the audience strives to steady our nerves for the frightful turn of events, all with the charming embrace of adrenaline which we know is warning of a chilling end.
While Grimm Tales of Terror Presents: The Bridgewater Triangle may have begun with an interesting premise for the title, however somewhere along the way it became sidetracked via tangential stories instead of being dominated by what could have been a more memorable foundation. However with amazing imagery and spectacular colors, one cannot deny the series still was able to keep our interest until it was maneuvered back onto the right course through this morbid swamp, allowing the reader to become mired within the fear contained within. With the premise now set, we can only hope a welcomed sunset will greet us once again over the horizon for a chilling welcome back into the stories of a forgotten but wondrous place of true horrors.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: October 06, 2021
MSRP: $12.99
