GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #76, from Zenescope Entertainment on 10/4/23, reminds Skye Mathers that the Cthulhu nightmare might not be over.
The Details
- Written by: Dave Franchini
- Art by: Jordi Tarragona
- Colors by: Jorge Cortes
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Igor Vitorino (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 4, 2023
Is GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #76 Good?
If you thought the Year of Lovecraft was over, guess again. Dave Franchini hits Skye with nightmares that portend more Lovecraftian troubles on the horizon in GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #76, and it’s a sure bet Skye and the Shang Gang are in for a bumpy ride.
When last we left Skye and the Shang Gang, they defeated Dagon and his allies at the Mountains of Madness to prevent Cthulhu’s release from his eternal prison. With the worst behind them, their allies buried, and Skye’s mother returned from the dead, all attention can focus on healing and rebuilding. Now, Skye’s recurring nightmare about a tentacled horror stirs the suspicion that Dagon’s allies are not finished, and Baba Yaga hatches a plan to bring death to Arcane Acre.
To be clear, the Lovecraft horrors are suggested but not shown. Franchini looks to be setting up Baba Yaga as the main villain for the next arc, but the influence of the Old Ones is present. We’ll see where it goes.
What’s great about GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #76? Although their troubles are far from over, it’s nice to see the Shang Gang take a moment to breathe and level set. You get a feel for how the relationships have either deepened or changed after their recent adventure, and Skye’s awkward interaction with her resurrected mother foreshadows human drama in the future.
What’s not so great about GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #76? One of the principal problems that created so much drama for the group in the last year or so was the lack of communication, specifically from Shang. How do we go through all that world-ending adventure, status quo changes, and lessons learned for Skye to turn around and kick off the next arc by not communicating what she’s experiencing with Shang or anyone else? Poor communication that leads to trouble is the kind of chuckle-headed play that reduces a character.
How’s the art? It’s unclear if Jordi Tarragona is taking over art duties permanently, but this style is a significant improvement. Tarragona’s lines are clean. The action is solid, and the character acting is expressive. Tarragona’s figure work has a slightly cartoonish exaggeration to it, but the art looks great overall.
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What’s GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #76 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #75 review to find out how the final battle at the Mountains of Madness turned out.
We begin with Skye waking up from a terrible nightmare involving the recently deceased Tamora and Cthulhu. Life on Arcane Acre is slowly returning to normal, but Skye’s dreams persist. When Skye gets up and prepares to meet with her mother, she finds Sela waiting to tell Skye she’s leaving to reacquaint herself with the realms as a way to get all her memories back and catch up with old allies.
Suddenly, a small explosion echoes from a nearby room. Diego accidentally sets off a magical blast while toying with one of the artifacts. The group has a nervous laugh over the incident, and Skye explains she’s leaving as well to visit Tamora’s house to look for any forgotten items of power.
We conclude the issue with a white lie, a small, beckoning voice, and enemies reuniting.
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Final Thoughts
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GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #76 finds the Shang Gang getting back to normal, but the enemies fighting to bring back Cthulhu have hatched a new plan. Franchini’s story has a strong central mystery, and the art is a noticeable improvement over the last year.
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