During the 1950s anthology style horror comics were in vogue. These macabre and controversal stories paved the way for many tropes and idioms in the horror genre as we know it--including in movies, literature, and games.
Nowadays horror comics usually are one long story. Such is the case with Locke and Key or The Walking Dead. But a few companies are creating comics that pay tribute to the EC and other horror comics from the 1950s.
Arguably the best new horror anthology style comic is Zenoscope's Grimm Tales of Terror. Zenoscope has taken the classic formula and created a series of one shot stories for each issue of the series. The style is reminiscent of art and stories from the 1990s and early 2000s while still remaining true to the classic 1950s formula.
Each issue is hosted by death, a buxom and beautiful woman, who is there to ferry the souls of the dead and punished to hell. She adorns many of the covers in classic pinup fashion.
Nowadays horror comics usually are one long story. Such is the case with Locke and Key or The Walking Dead. But a few companies are creating comics that pay tribute to the EC and other horror comics from the 1950s.
Arguably the best new horror anthology style comic is Zenoscope's Grimm Tales of Terror. Zenoscope has taken the classic formula and created a series of one shot stories for each issue of the series. The style is reminiscent of art and stories from the 1990s and early 2000s while still remaining true to the classic 1950s formula.
Each issue is hosted by death, a buxom and beautiful woman, who is there to ferry the souls of the dead and punished to hell. She adorns many of the covers in classic pinup fashion.
Issue #2 of the series (the first issue I was able to find at my local comic book shop) is a classic relic hunting story gone horribly wrong. (Something akin to The Mummy).
Two brothers, relic hunters, are dead set on finding their deceased father's legacy. Their father was hunting a ancient relic--a statue of a spider queen or goddess. One of their father's friends offers to help them in their search.
However, things go horribly wrong when greed overpowers the group. But ultimately the spider queen is real and wants the three men to feed to her spider children.
This issue's story is enjoyable and straightforward. I came into the story expecting almost exactly what I got. Three greedy and power hungry men get devoured by their passions in the worst way possible.
The art, as always with Zenoscope, is brilliant. The storytelling and panel layout is easy to follow and fluid. The only real downside is that maybe the story was a little too straight forward. There wasn't a twist or surprise ending--a frequent staple of pulp horror comics from the 1950s.
Two brothers, relic hunters, are dead set on finding their deceased father's legacy. Their father was hunting a ancient relic--a statue of a spider queen or goddess. One of their father's friends offers to help them in their search.
However, things go horribly wrong when greed overpowers the group. But ultimately the spider queen is real and wants the three men to feed to her spider children.
This issue's story is enjoyable and straightforward. I came into the story expecting almost exactly what I got. Three greedy and power hungry men get devoured by their passions in the worst way possible.
The art, as always with Zenoscope, is brilliant. The storytelling and panel layout is easy to follow and fluid. The only real downside is that maybe the story was a little too straight forward. There wasn't a twist or surprise ending--a frequent staple of pulp horror comics from the 1950s.
Summing it Up
This is an enjoyable entry in the Grimm Tales of Terror series, but it isn't the best. While the story is rewarding and stays true to its classical roots it comes off a little flat with no twist ending or interesting character development. You can't go wrong with this issue, it is still good, but prepare for even better and more exciting horror tales in future issues!
Language: 1
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 1
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 5
Overall Rating: 3
Language: 1
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 1
Scare Factor: 2
Fun Factor: 5
Overall Rating: 3