GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #78, by Zenescope Entertainment on 12/6/23, finds the darkness spreading across multiple Realms as the Lovecraftian nightmare appears far from over.
The Details
- Written by: Dave Franchini
- Art by: Babisu Kourtis
- Colors by: Jorge Cortes
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Jeff Spokes (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: December 6, 2023
Is GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #78 Good?
If you thought Zenescope’s Year of Lovecraft was over, you’ve got a surprise in store. Dave Franchini pits Skye, Sela, and the Shang Gang against nightmares on multiple fronts for an action-packed issue in GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #78.
When last we left the Grimm Universe heroes, Skye came face-to-face with the King in Yellow, Sela brought Ivy back from the brink of death in the realm of Myst, and Diego made a friend out of one of Shang’s experiments. Now, the Shang Gang is faced with a student whose struggles with anxiety suddenly turn monstrous. Sela and Ivy reach out to an old ally for help. And Skye receives unexpected help from an old enemy against the King in Yellow.
To clarify, the Year of Lovecraft is over, so don’t get the idea that Cthulhu is popping up anytime soon. Instead, a different Lovecraftian nightmare threatens the world, so it’s fair to call this arc “The Year Of Lovecraft: The Sequel.”
What’s great about GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #78? Dave Franchini leans heavily on the action in this issue, bolstered by a few surprises and witty banter. Franchini brought his dialog A-game to this issue with dramatic (occasionally funny) character interactions that feel natural.
What’s not so great about GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #78? Franchini’s script splits the plot in three directions, and while each thread is interesting on its own, two of the three ends on a “to be continued in this other comic.” Branching out into other titles isn’t necessarily a problem, but that means the main story in this ongoing has the short straw in terms of development and page space.
How’s the art? Pretty good and improving. When Babisu Kourtis took on the post of regular artist, we weren’t big fans, to be blunt. Kourtis’s inks lacked a lot of cleanliness and finesse. Thankfully, Kourtis’s inks have improved significantly over the last year, and this issue is the best presentation so far.
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What’s GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #78 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #77 review to find out how Skye bumped into the King in Yellow.
We begin with Skye and the King in Yellow duking it out. Surprisingly, Skye confidently gets the upper hand and separates the King’s head from his neck. Unfortunately for Skye, a beheading is only a temporary victory, and King reassembles himself to attack. It takes the arrival of an old enemy to help win the fight.
Elsewhere, Sela and Ivy drop in on Orson of the Dragon Guard. Orson is content to stay in retirement instead of helping Sela stop whatever darkness is speeding through Myst. It takes the arrival of Pestis, Tabes, and Morbus to change Orson’s mind.
On Earth, Shang lectures Diego about recklessness in hiding and caring for a “thing” spawned in Shang’s lab. Before Shang can decide what to do with the thing, named Arthur by Diego, one of Shang’s students grows into a giant beast in the Arcane library.
We conclude the issue with Old Ones, fiery acid, and a nice nap.
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Final Thoughts
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GRIMM FAIRY TALES (VOL. 2) #78 joins battles on multiple fronts for an action-packed issue with great pacing, witty dialog, and intriguing developments. Franchini’s storytelling prowess is firing on all cylinders, and Kourtis’s art is better than ever.
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