Publisher: Zenescope
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artist: Ediano Silva
Colourist: Ivan Nunes
Release Date: 28 December 2016
Price: TBC

We inherit lots of things from our parents: freckles, blue eyes, bad temper, sometimes money, but in Skye Mathers’ case in Grimm Fairy Tales #1, she inherits her role as Guardian of the Nexus.

For those who don’t already know, Earth is the Nexus of the Universe, surrounded by four realms of power: Wonderland, Oz, Neverland and Myst. With the help of a mystic book and her mother’s old mentor, Shang, it’s now Skye’s job to keep all the realms safe from all the nasties that would seek to do it harm. Personally, I’d have preferred the cash.

But Skye is made of nobler stuff and in Grimm Fairy Tales #1’s Red Riding Hood based tale of werewolves, sheep killing and unrequited love Skye begins her journey to become a full-fledged hero.

Grimm Fairy Tales #1 is a reboot of Zenescope’s longest running series which finished with issue #125, so there’s plenty of backstory about the denizens of Arcane Acre for you to get your teeth into if you want. Or, you could just jump on board right now and go with the flow. X-Men overtones will make you feel right at home with Grimm Fairy Tales #1’s setting and tone, but familiarity, in this case, breeds not contempt but anticipation for the future.

There’s an excitement in Grimm Fairy Tales #1 that hasn’t been seen in its Marvel forebear for many a decade. Ediano Silva draws a mean werewolf (and I mean that in a good way) and his femme fatale art is beyond compare. Joe Brusha handles the mix of familiar fairy tale and new twists with a deft touch and serves up a tale that may be grim, but is definitely not to be sneezed up. Join the ride with Grimm Fairy Tales #1 and see it through; the best is yet to come.

 

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker