Review - Keres: Blood & Shadow
From Zenescope Entertainment
A new one-shot tale that ties into the goings-on in the Grimm Universe from Zenescope Entertainment in Keres: Blood & Shadow.
The enigmatic Goddess of Death’s past has been shrouded in mystery—a secret that has never been revealed to any human. But when a new deadly threat, known as the Hollowborn, emerges and begins to wreak havoc on humanity, Keres realizes the only way to defeat them is to revisit the shocking events that made her.
Guest starring Henry Lovecraft as well as Holmes & Houdini, this epic tale will change Keres’ life forever!
Writer: Joe Brusha, Artwork: Hakan Aydin & Allan Otero, Colors: Robby Bevard, Letters: Taylor Esposito (Of Ghost Glyph Studios), Editor: David Wohl, and Production & Design: Christopher Cote
Concentrating on Keres, this one-shot story takes a closer look at her life before she became the figure we now know, while also answering a question that was raised in the latest issue of Grimm Fairy Tales. It’s always interesting when a story steps away from the main narrative to focus on a single character, and in this case, it works particularly well, giving readers a deeper understanding of Keres and the path that led her to become the Goddess of Death.
Alongside this character exploration, the issue also gives us more information about the mysterious Tome, which has been warning of catastrophic threats from all directions in recent issues. While we do get a few more clues about its purpose and importance, the story wisely holds back from revealing everything. That larger mystery clearly remains part of a long-running storyline in the main series, and this issue adds intrigue without spoiling the bigger picture.
Nevertheless, this is an excellent issue in its own right. It not only explores Keres’ past, but also delves into her mindset in the present. Seeing her thoughts and fears laid bare gives the character a much greater emotional depth, especially as she finds herself drawn into the underworld alongside Henry Lovecraft. Their journey into this dark and dangerous realm provides both tension and insight into how Keres views her role and the forces surrounding her.
An aside on the supporting cast of characters in this issue: they were an excellent choice. Although Holmes takes more of a back seat in the narrative compared to previous appearances, it’s still a smart move to keep these characters involved. Their presence helps maintain the series' wider universe while also serving as a reminder of their skills and personalities. It also feels like there may be a subtle tease of a future storyline involving them, which adds an extra layer of intrigue.
Once the story moves into the underworld, things really start to escalate. There is some well-crafted action as Keres faces off against demonic forces as well as elements tied to her past. The battles are not just physical, but also symbolic, forcing her to confront the darker aspects of herself and her history. This ultimately leads to an interesting revelation that strengthens her resolve, allowing her to confront both the literal demons around her and the figurative ones within.
The artwork deserves particular mention here. With the story moving between different locations and incorporating flashbacks, the visual storytelling does an excellent job of keeping everything clear and engaging. The action sequences involving demons, gore and twisting tentacles are particularly striking, but the quieter moments are just as effective thanks to some excellent close-up work that captures the characters’ emotions and reactions.
Overall, this feels like a significant issue that ties in nicely with the ongoing events of the main series while also expanding the mythology around Keres. At the same time, it plants a few seeds that could easily grow into important plotlines in the future, making it both a satisfying standalone story and a meaningful piece of the wider Grimm Fairy Tales universe.
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
Henry? His first name was Howard...