CINDERELLA VS. THE QUEEN OF HEARTS #1, from Zenescope Entertainment on 4/12/23, finds Cindy Munroe taking on contract killer jobs to make ends meet.
The Details
- Written by: Dave Franchini
- Art by: Jordi Tarragona
- Colors by: Robby Bevard
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Igor Vitorino (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: April 12, 2023
Is It Good?
Well, it’s something. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t get Cinderella as a character. She’s tens steps past wacky into an insane territory, but there’s nothing engaging about her character. Her references don’t make sense, so the humor isn’t there, and she kills good and bad people indiscriminately.
She’s not funny, there’s no method to her madness, and her stories (which could work as good things happening accidentally through Cinderella’s madness) don’t always work out. If there’s something special that makes Cinderella into a character readers want more of, it’s a mystery to me why.
If this admission sullies your opinion of Cinderella, my apologies. That wasn’t the intent. The goal is to let you know why the critique of this issue may be unusual.
CINDERELLA VS. THE QUEEN OF HEARTS #1 centers on Cinderella choosing to take on contract killer assignments to pay her bills, despite having a gold crown and a handful of unique jewels in her possession… and a hang-glider that magically appears from nowhere. When her latest assignment puts Cinderella on the hunt for the Queen of Hearts, Cinderella may have met her match.
To be fair to Dave Franchini, the pacing is excellent, there’s a good balance of wacky dialog and action, Queen of Heart’s obstacle course is imaginative, and the setup has potential. In terms of the structure of the comic, it’s got a solid foundation with good bones.
The major down point of this issue is the main character. She’s too annoying to like or take seriously in any aspect. Imagine Deadpool without the wit, moments of clarity, or enough moral fiber to not kill regular people out of recklessness.
So, where does that leave this issue, whether good or bad? If you know and like this version of Cinderella, you’re going to enjoy this issue. If you, likewise, don’t get this character, you’re probably going to hate this issue.’
To be fair (again), the art is great. Tarragonna’s style fits right in with some of Zenescope’s best titles. The action is energetic, and Bevard’s colors are first-rate.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Cinderella sitting in a barber’s chair, getting her “beard” trimmed. When a particular patron walks through the door, Cindy yaks off the fake beard and skewers the newcomer. Unfortunately, this is Cindy’s first day as a contract killer, and she just attacked the wrong man.
Later, Cindy finds and kills the correct target, but her troubles mount when the police come to evict her from her apartment for non-payment of her rent. She escapes through her window on a hang-glider while wearing expensive jewels.
Later, the head of the L.E.A.F. corporation gives Cindy her next assignment – the Queen of Hearts. We conclude the issue with terrible camouflage, a giant game of Mouse Trap, and pushing the wrong button.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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CINDERELLA VS. THE QUEEN OF HEARTS #1 is an odd start to an odd start starring an odd character. The premise about a crazy (former) princess turning hitwoman to make ends meet has potential, but the main character is so grating, it’s hard to get into the story.
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