Doubts are the fodder for dreams and it from this those that nightmares are born!
Creative Staff:
Writer Pat Shand
Artwork Luca Claretti
What They Say:
Sela and her mentor Shang, along with their former enemy Belinda, have opened a school for a select group of Highborn and Falseblood teens with enhanced abilities. Their goal is to guide the teens who may one day be humanity’s only hope against evil from other realms.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Violet Liddle, the daughter of the White Queen on the rampage. She is under control of the Mad Hatter, the most malignant spectre of Wonderland. This insanity was waiting for a chance and now with the Convergence released, it has free reign over Arcane Acre; however, this new power wants to meet Skye, but who said she couldn’t have some fun along the way?
As the faculty tries to find a way back into the school grounds, it seems that the chaos has not gone unnoticed by Malec. This opportunity is a chance to bring back the Dark Horde and he cannot afford to miss it. But, if he thinks that he will not face opposition, he is sorely mistaken as Wulf and his friends give chase after the psychotic Violet and her helpless captive. The race to save the school has begun, and the prize is indeed great.
But as they descend deeper beneath the academy, the Hatter reveals that some secrets were meant to be savoured, such as the real reason why the children are being kept at the school. And as the malevolent spirit continues to taunt its pursuers, doubts are raised in each as to their reasons for being here until one falls before it is finally contained. Now with the Dark One’s forces gathering outside for the oncoming battle and uncertainty brewing within, the Mad Hatter’s final warning that the nightmare is just beginning has now begun to ring true.
In Summary:
The build up to the confrontation with the Dark Horde seems to be complete, but have Violet’s/Mad Hatter’s actions made things worse? It seemed that with every chance, she was constantly berating Skye, as if to wear down her defences. The Convergence wanted to meet her and now in such a vulnerable state, will she be easier to possess? Or is there something else that the entity wants?
This new story arc is now starting to make sense, but the build up towards the final confrontation is taking too long. I know that in order to spin a convincing tale, you need to develop believable characters and an encompassing plot, but sometimes in doing so, the point of the story is lost. Shand has spent the last three issues giving us both, but it’s getting too melodramatic – the teen angst is overshadowing action!
Although this issue is falling into the same trap, Claretti’s artwork does salvage the re-introduction of the Dark One. Why else would they bring in the main power player of the Grimm Universe if this is not leading up towards something major? Or am I reading too much into the storyline? Guess we’ll find out next month with the introduction of a new villain too!
Grade: B
Rating: 17+
Released By: Zenescope via ComiXology
Release Date: June 17th, 2015
MSRP: $3.99
