Grimm Fairy Tales 2012 Holiday Special Review

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Grimm Fairy Tales 2012 Holiday Special Review
By Andy Frisk
December 5, 2012 - 19:51

Zenescope
Writer(s): Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Raven Gregory, Pat Shand
Penciller(s): Jamie Salangsang, Sebastian Cichon, Andrea Errico, Noval Hernawan
Colourist(s): Fran Gamboa, Sarah Perryman, Stuart Brown, Jason Embury
Letterer(s): Charles PRitchett
$5.99 US

A group of teenagers and their dubious older leader stage a "Holiday Scavenger Manhunt 2012" overnight in a local shopping mall that they all believe to be deserted. Two by two though the kids encounter a strange shopping mall Santa who appears to be staying the night in the mall. In return for his not calling the authorities, Santa insists that they listen a Christmas story. These aren't the usual Christmas stories though, as this isn't your usual holiday special. You're in the Grimm Fairy Tales Universe, where things aren't always what they seem, especially the shopping mall Santas...

Writer Pat Shand eloquently puts together three Christmas tales of horror: "Frosty the Snowman," "I'll Be Home for Christmas,"and "Twelve Days of Christmas" within the frame story "Here Comes Santa Claus" in usual Grimm Fairy Tales style. In "Frosty the Snowman," a murdered wife gets her revenge from beyond the grave with the help of a rather animated snowman. In "I'll Be Home for Christmas" a surviving twin can't bear the thought of not having her sister home for Christmas with her, but is she willing to trade places with her? In "Twelve Days of Christmas" a demented ex makes sure that his ex-girlfriend gets the opportunity to spend time with her new love during the twelve days of Christmas a little bit at a time, even though she believes he's out of town on a business conference, with the emphasis on the "bits." Finally, when Sela makes her holiday appearance towards the end of the frame story, the shopping mall Santa is revealed to be a particularly devilish nemesis of her's (and Santa himself). The two tangle, but sometimes the devil has his day...

Like most of the Grimm Fairy Tale tales, this year's holiday special is more darkly instructional than enlighteningly uplifting and that's just how readers of Zenescope's longest running and most wildly popular flagship series would have it. The stories are fun, and have a moral at their heart, but anyone looking for the usual "hearts and hearths" joyous tales need look elsewhere. This is Christmas for the fan of smart horror with a heart.

This year's special's artists, Jamie Salangsang, Sebastian Cichon, Andrea Errico and Noval Hernawan bring the stories to beautiful life. Every page is sharp and the stories shift visually from story to story smoothly despite the differences between the artists' styles. Personally, Salangsang's pencils stand out the most and are the most sharp, proportionate, and detailed. They all are excellent masters of their craft though and each page is a visual feast throughout.

If you're looking for something a little different this year from the usual Christmas fairy tale fare, Grimm Fairy Tales 2012 Holiday Edition is right up your alley.

Rating: 8/10

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