Reviews: Inferno, Tales Of Terror & Van Helsing
From Zenescope Entertainment
Three new one-shot stories out this week from Zenescope Entertainment - Grimm Spotlight: Inferno, Grimm Tales Of Terror: 2023 Valentine’s Day Special and Van Helsing: Deadly Alchemy.
Grimm Spotlight: Inferno
Mercy Dante is back! From the depths of the Inferno rises the demon-hunting, ex-gun-for-hire, assassin with a conscience on a new mission for the Devil. This time around, Lucifer sends Mercy to Las Vegas, aka Sin City, where she must track down a most dangerous enemy with a personal connection to the leader of Hell, who will stop at NOTHING to remain free.
STORY RALPH TEDESCO, DAVE FRANCHINI & DAVID WOHL
WRITER RALPH TEDESCO
ARTWORK DANIEL MAINE
COLORS MAXFLAN ARAUJO
LETTERS TAYLOR ESPOSITO (OF GHOST GLYPH STUDIOS)
LETTERING ASSIST MARIANO BENITEZ CHAPO
EDITOR DAVID WOHL
PRODUCTION & DESIGN CHRISTOPHER COTE
As a re-introduction to Mercy Dante, this one-shot story works out well. She is a character we haven’t seen for a while, so it’s good to see her back, and hopefully, this means more to come from her, her team and the demons she hunts.
As a one-shot, we get plenty going on, with a good setup involving taking advantage of the gullible and taking their souls. The interest of Lucifer is well done, and I enjoy the back-and-forth between the Queen of Hell and Mercy.
Regarding action, although there is a tease at the beginning, the action doesn’t start until the final third. What we do get is a fun montage of battles against demons.
The artwork is well done, with the grotty hotel and its patrons being shown well.
Will we see more in the future?
Grimm Tales Of Terror: 2023 Valentine’s Day Special
Can you feel it? Love is in the air! And what better way to celebrate than with four horrifying tales guaranteed to make your hot blood run cold. Featuring love potions, serial killers, renegade cupids and a dating app from Hell, this is one Valentine’s Day gift that will definitely keep on giving!
STORY JOE BRUSHA, DAVE FRANCHINI, DAVID WOHL, HONOR VINCENT
WRITER HONOR VINCENT
ARTWORK JUAN FRANCISCO MOTA (1-18) ALESSANDRO UEZU (19-32) DARIO TALLARICO (33-36) RICARDO OSNAYA (37-55) MASSIMILIANO LA MANNO (56-72) COLORS LEONARDO PACIAROTTI (1-36) JORGE CORTES (37-51) MAXFLAN ARAUJO (52-54) WALTER PEREYRA (55-72)
LETTERS CHAS! PANGBURN
EDITOR DAVID WOHL
PRODUCTION & DESIGN CHRISTOPHER COTE
A selection of ‘romance’ horror stories in time for Valentine’s Day this year. There is a horror twist, and that is what we get!
First up, we get a story which appears to be a serial killer story. It’s pretty clever and contains some of the classic tropes. Then we get a really good twist at the end, which I didn’t see coming! Some fun use of the art here as well.
Next up is a trail of revenge and some good use of mythology. There is the flip side of love, which builds up well - twisting and turning until we get to a grand finale! I like the use of the characters here, and the descent is well played out.
The mythology goes full-on in the penultimate story, with good use of an app, mixing in some old mythology and adding something new. I had no idea about this myth/rite and was intrigued all the way through. The artwork was enjoyable, and the crossover with Keres was well-played.
Finally, we have a dark and sad story. However, the comeuppance at the end is immensely gratifying. The build-up is very traditional, but it does take a dark turn with some good pieces throughout the story - leading to a good ending.
This was a good selection of stories, with Keres being the connective tissue.
Van Helsing: Deadly Alchemy
After months of dealing with the remnants and ramifications of her father’s vile experiments, Liesel Van Helsing returns to the place where it all started, the laboratory of Abraham Van Helsing. Besieged by the horrors of her father’s past, Liesel realizes that some pages should be left unturned.
STORY DAVE FRANCHINI, DAVID WOHL & PAT SHAND
WRITER PAT SHAND ARTWORK HAKAN AYDIN COLORS GROSTIETA
LETTERS TAYLOR ESPOSITO (OF GHOST GLYPH STUDIOS)
LETTERING ASSIST MARIANO BENITEZ CHAPO
EDITOR DAVID WOHL
PRODUCTION & DESIGN CHRISTOPHER COTE
Tying off the ongoing issues Van Helsing has had with her father's legacy, this issue deals with that rather well. On top of that, there are some lovely little easter eggs put in here that can be run with for the future.
Before Van Helsing infiltrates her father’s lab, we get some excellent flashbacks - not only to her past but also a taste of things to come. With a strange gas and the location of the lab. It’s well played out and adds to the story later. Some obscured facts also come into play as well - some good use of Checkovs Gun!
This issue has the right amount of mystery and action, with monsters, hybrids and more. Her family's history is played out here, and the difference between what is real, what is memory and what is false is shown up well.
There are some excellent hints as to who else is behind it all, with some good storytelling and something for the future. Van Helsing has her work cut out here, and the monologue in the story works in well with the adventure and her thoughts.
What next?