Grimm wonders come to those who wait … with patience serving as its greatest reward.
Creative Staff:
Artwork: Various
Colors: Various
What They Say:
Please join us as we celebrate our milestone anniversary with a very special collection of iconic covers that have graced our issues over the past two decades. Featuring the work of industry greats J. Scott Campbell, Dave Finch, Artgerm and many more, this is a celebration that can’t be missed!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Due to a lack of an opening story for Zenescope 20th Anniversary Cover Gallery, this unique special is allowed to dedicate a majority of the book to presenting milestone covers from the past twenty years, thus serving as a provocative reminder of how a beguiled audience has propelled the company forward, and hopefully will serve as powerful motivation for many more years to come.
In Summary:
It is hard to believe it has been a mere twenty years when we first witnessed a frightened young woman being drawn into a strange story book, escaping the depraved hands of an overly aggressive boyfriend, only to then wander into dark woods to deliver a basket to her Grandmother while wearing a red hood, this the formative beginning of Grimm Fairy Tales now but a distant echo for those who remember taking their first step into the unknown. Since then curious readers have beheld a delightful glimpse at cherished fairy tales in their truest forms, not the sanitized versions which would lull innocent children to sleep, but chilling stories tinged with lessons in questionable morality, showing stunned spectators that justice may not always prevail, but it is through failure real heroes may yet seize victory from the brutal jaws of defeat. Yet as we wearily walked along a twisted path that broadened our horizons beyond the flagship series, expanding past the restrictive confines of familiarity and into classics of literature conventionally dominated by male roles, it is due to the astute observation of clever writers who knew the fairer sex would attract a wider audience, but at the same time, it allowed them propose the unexpected and permit these former damsels in distress to become their own sincere protectors, delivering themselves and a tired reader from the stale tedium of traditionalism. And yet it is due to these admirable foundations that lead us to the current era, gone are the irritating stereotypes of helpless maidens being forced to wait for some brawny man to save them, boldly replaced by the refreshing concept of steadfast women being at the forefront to rescuing the world from an array of unspeakable evils.
Although we may miss an introductory short to guide a fascinated audience through a journey into the past, a daunting task to encapsulate the last two decades within a few pages of literary delights, it is the amazing illustrations and enchanting colors contained within each formative page which tells its own story, each signalling striking moments within Zenescope’s decorated history. And yet as enthralled readers wonder how such a selection could be made from the hundreds of titles and an unfathomable number of limited variations, it boggles the mind on how one picks from the staggering collection accumulated over the past two decades, charming highlights from each of those years to be condensed within a mere twenty-one pieces of fantastic artwork. While it may be a simple option such as the first issue of Grimm Fairy Tales, heroic archetypes who will make a mark on the future, a return to Wonderland, introduction to important characters or pivotal milestones from the flagship title, one cannot deny the prevailing aspects of each spectacular cover are to reflect a moment within an exciting image and the provocative display of the feminine form, in all its scintillating glory. The first thing a prospective reader will remember across a majority of the titles is the sexy depiction of its heroines, Zenescope has not shied away from gratuitous exposure of plentiful cleavage, enviable musculature and luxuriously long legs ending in a toned rear, all accumulating in idealized beauties who lure a mostly male audience toward high adventures, which rewardingly permits us to truly admire these formidable women, no matter how much enamored fans may lean toward their favorites, one must admit these audacious heroes have saved the world several times, and looking gorgeous while doing it.
Zenescope 20th Anniversary Cover Gallery may present itself as a captivating collection of covers leading up to this publisher’s Platinum Anniversary, but the miniscule sampling is a bit frustrating for seasoned fans who do not see a treasured piece within its confines, irritated by the extreme limitations of this special for not being able to show all of the visual delights depicted over the past twenty years. While we may have missed out on the tempting variations which are issued in limited quantities to a chosen few, this title could have been a chance to see what we have missed, and yet what we are shown are essential annual moments over the company’s long history, without any explanation as to the importance of each choice, leaving curious readers to make rash assumptions, which could have been remedied by a simple Editor’s Note denoting the reason behind each selection. And yet as we marvel at these tasteful artistic delights and appreciate the boldness of the feminine form, one cannot but appreciate this exciting assembly for the glamorous views of beloved characters in suggestive poses, all within an alluring menagerie of cheesecake shots, wondering how much time we will spend longingly staring at our favorites within their skimpy and form fitting costumes and waiting for an expanded sequel of this special in a future collection.
Grade: A-
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: June 04, 2025
MSRP: $4.99
