Review: Grimm Fairy Tales Vol.3 #2
From Zenescope Entertainment
Tome Of Blood And Shadow Part 2
The third volume of Grimm Fairy Tales continues with issue #2 from Zenescope Entertainment.
A new era for Zenescope’s Flagship title continues here!
The Tome of Blood and Shadow contains entries to all the monstrous creatures that exist in our realm—but there is a new scourge, the Hollowborn, that has no page in the infamous book.
Now, Red Agent is near death after facing just one in battle, leaving Keres and Shang in a frantic search to discover what they are, why they’re here and, most importantly, if they can be defeated before they destroy the hallowed halls of Arcane Acre as well as all the heroes within!
Writer: Joe Brusha, Artwork: Al Barrionuevo, Colours: Jorge Cortes, Letters: Taylor Esposito (Of Ghost Glyph Studios), Editor: David Wohl, and Production & Design: Christopher Cote
Grimm Fairy Tales Vol. 3 #2 from Zenescope Entertainment is one of those issues where the tension doesn’t just rise—it tightens. By the time I reached the final pages, it felt clear that this chapter exists to pull us deeper into the overarching mystery, layering questions on top of the ones we were already carrying.
Splitting the team is always a risky move in stories like this. Even when there are clearly two separate threats demanding attention, dividing your strength rarely feels like the safest call. That underlying sense of unease adds to the suspense here. Still, from a reader’s perspective, the decision pays off. It gives us two distinct action styles running side by side, which keeps the pacing brisk and the momentum strong.
The secondary threat kicks off with reports of a werewolf attack, and that plotline quickly escalates into a frantic, high-energy battle in the woods. The chaos of the fight is balanced nicely with sharp banter and solid teamwork, which helps flesh out the dynamics between the characters even in the middle of combat. Just when it feels like the situation is coming under control, the story pivots and reveals something far more dangerous lurking behind the scenes. That escalation works extremely well, and the attached cliffhanger lands hard.
At the same time, the rest of the team focuses on uncovering who attacked the Red agent and organising a rescue. This thread leans more into investigation and strategy, but it’s no less tense. There are setbacks and small victories along the way, and the sense that this threat might be connected to Keres and her powers adds another layer of intrigue. It suggests that what’s happening isn’t random—it’s part of something bigger and potentially much more personal.
By the end of the issue, the mystery has only grown more complex. With double cliffhangers driving both plotlines forward, there’s a real sense that this story arc is building toward something significant. Questions are piling up, and that’s clearly by design.
The artwork deserves special mention as well. The action scenes are dynamic and easy to follow, with powers depicted in a way that feels impactful rather than cluttered. I was especially impressed by some of the panel layouts and staging choices—they add energy and guide the eye smoothly through even the most chaotic moments. Overall, this issue does a strong job of balancing character, action, and suspense while deepening the central mystery.
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
