Does even Cindy know who she is going to kill next … highly doubtful.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Fritz Casas, Marc Rosete & Manuel Preitano
Colors: Leonardo Paciarotti & Beezzz Studios
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Cindy’s bloodlust for Robyn is building as her mission for the Order of the Tarot extends into the other realms of power. Is any place safe when one of the craziest denizens of the Grimm Universe takes on the most insane realm it has to offer, Wonderland?
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
After her last successful jaunt in Arcane Acre, the blonde assassin is having even more fun romping around on her bunnicorn. What can be more amusing than being chased by the denizens of Wonderland? With an army of playing cards and the other villains after her for killing all of the Queens, they may think they have the upper hand, but can you really be sure with Cindy? Even as she dismounts her loyal steed, this psychopathic genius lies in wait, plotting and planning for creative ways to dispatch her next foes. But of course, when you’re dealing with the minions of this realm, it doesn’t really take much imagination to outwit them. Obvious ploys, which would be avoided anywhere else become diabolically effective, piling up the body count as each one falls into every trap. How could it be any easier? Even Callie and Violet are no match for her trickery … all finally joining her for one final tea party.
However, Cindy is not one to brag much, as recounts the escapades to her captive Britney, with the next destination in her tour of misery being the land of Oz. With the evil witches being having been previously slain, this realm is easily caught unawares, and any resistance is easily pacified. Now with new flying simian allies, Neverland is the following target on her murder spree … and her fun never seems to end. The Jolly Roger flies high above the ship as she assaults the defenders of this land. With every victory, Cindy claims more items of power and with each passing triumph, she adds more victims to the growing pile of bodies. However, much to her enjoyment, with everyone she conquers, the styles for slaughtering never grows tiresome and makes it all the more entertaining! But as with every trip, so too must this one come to an end as the quarry of the safari soon catches up. That woman in green just had to spoil this carnival ride, although who ever said that the pleasure had to end?
In Summary:
Just when we thought Cindy couldn’t have any more fun, writer Dave Franchini steps in and provides us with the nexus to all the realms. This issue gives all of the gory goodness which we expect from this series, and of course, her tongue in cheek humor which has pervades the story with enough laughs to offset the bloodiness. Terrible jokes and puns, sadistic way of killing heroes and the bunnicorn, who could not love this? But at the same time, as the title comes to an end, it still feels like we’ve seen it all. While we know in the back of our minds that the only thing that will satisfy Cindy is revenge against all who have wronged her, there are only so many ways you can kill a person. But of course, that does not stop Franchini from giving us more groaners with each and every death, and who could blame him? This is what makes Cindy … well … CINDY! Ever since Malec made a deal with Cindy Monroe and thus her into an assassin for the Dark Horde, she hasn’t known anything else. We really can’t blame her for the path she now gleefully takes, but as we wonder what would have happened if she never met Sela, you know that the Dark One would have just chosen someone else. And then, where would we be?
That first page says it all: Cindy racing from an angry crowd of Wonderland inhabitants, heads bouncing at her waist … astride a bunnicorn. How can you not smile from that lighthearted scene created by Fritz Casas? You can almost feel the joy Cindy has as she stalks each person; we know she loves her job, and yet the escapade in Tulgey Wood just shows how much as she mocks every character, the reader can hear her laughing to herself before springing the trap and going snicker-snack. And the morbidity continues as we watch Marc Rosete take on a more serious tone, if Cindy could ever be that word. But still we have that trademark sardonic wit, ever biting in her actions, having the right amount of disdain as she carries out the execution. And even though we may have two different artistic styles, Leonardo Paciarotti still manages to combine them into one story thanks to his remarkable control of colors, setting the mood, whether it be serious or comical, and allowing the audience to know that this is Cindy’s World … and there is no escaping it.
But perhaps the scariest scene of this entire issue was the one by Manuel Preitano with colors by Beezzz Studios. How can they spring that saccharin sweet, goodie goodie twist of cuteness on us without any warning? It is diabolical in the simplicity of warping Cindy to a world based one of Preitano’s other Zenescope works, Just Princesses. I laughed out loud when I saw this piece! The look of utter disgust on her face as she watched those kids plotting how to rescue someone … I am not surprised she didn’t slash out, but I guess there are even some line she won’t cross? It was that singular page which made this book, but I doubt we’ll ever see it again. Too bad.
The end is finally here … but with the same paraphernalia echoing in the background of each premiere page, you have to wonder what is really going on. It has been going too well for Cindy and not one hero has escaped her murderous rage on her pathway for vengeance. We know Voodoo said that the Order of Tarot wanted her assistance, but now that she has had her way through the Zenescope universe, is there anyone or anything left to conquer? I for one cannot wait to see how this story ends, but who is going to have that happy ending?
Grade: A
Rating: For Mature Readers
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: March 15, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
