Review: Grimm Fairy Tales #3 – Tome Of Blood & Shadow
From Zenescope
The adventure continues from Zenescope Entertainment, in Grimm Fairy Tales #3 – Tome Of Blood & Shadow.
After a brutal attack by the Hollowborn, Avril Williams has disappeared, and a severely injured Red Agent, along with Keres and Skye, must journey to a ravaged temple in eastern Europe in a desperate attempt to find her before it’s too late. Along the way, they discover a dark truth about their new foes that leaves them questioning everything…
Meanwhile, Mystere and Kalen Vale are sent on a mission to help a victimized populace, only to realize that the Hollowborn aren’t the only deadly monsters hunting them…
Writer: Joe Brusha, Artwork: Al Barrionuevo Colors Jorge Cortes, Letters: Taylor Esposito (Of Ghost Glyph Studios), Editor: David Wohl, and Production & Design: Christopher Cote
After the dramatic cliffhangers of the previous issue, this instalment wastes no time throwing you straight back into the chaos. It opens strong and never really lets up, maintaining a relentless, high-energy pace that keeps you fully engaged from start to finish.
We finally discover what’s become of Avril, and it quickly becomes clear that this story arc is pulling no punches. There’s a real sense of danger here—no one feels safe—and that tension adds weight to every scene. Keres, Skye, and Britney’s mission to rescue her is intense, but what stands out most is the underlying mystery taking shape. The connection to Keres is particularly intriguing; the fact that their enemy seems to know her hints at a deeper, more personal conflict that hasn’t yet fully surfaced.
The battle sequences are a real highlight. The way the characters’ abilities are combined makes for some visually striking and dynamic moments, and the artwork really gets a chance to shine here. Each character is given space to stand out, contributing meaningfully rather than getting lost in the action. It all builds to an ending that feels satisfying while still teasing what’s to come, especially with how neatly it ties into the Keres one-shot.
Meanwhile, the secondary storyline offers a different kind of tension. Mystere and Kalen Vale’s situation feels far more desperate, as they’re hunted by savage werewolves led by a particularly menacing alpha. There’s a raw, almost survival-horror edge to these scenes that contrasts nicely with the more power-driven conflict of the main group. The dynamic between Mystere and Kalen Vale continues to develop, and there’s a clear sense that their relationship is going to evolve into something more significant as the story unfolds.
Overall, this issue is a standout. It not only delivers on action and character moments but also expands the narrative's scope. The introduction of new characters towards the end adds fresh intrigue and suggests that the story is about to grow in both scale and complexity. It’s an exciting chapter that leaves you eager to see where things go next.
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