GRIMM TALES OF TERROR 2024 HOLIDAY SPECIAL, by Zenescope on 12/11/24, follows Keres as she narrates four chilling tales to freeze your blood and stop your heart on a Winter’s Night.
Credits:
- Writer: David Wohl
- Artist: Dario Tallarico, Alessandro Uezu, Massimiliano La Manno, Allan Otero
- Colorist: Maxflan Araujo
- Letterer: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Artist: Riveiro (cover A)
- Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
- Release Date: December 11, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $6.99
- Page Count: 54
- Format: Double-Sized Issue, Anthology
Covers:
Analysis of GRIMM TALES OF TERROR 2024 HOLIDAY SPECIAL:
First Impressions:
Grimm Tales of Terror 2024 Holiday Special is a decent anthology to give you a taste of terror in time for the holiday season. Everyone loves watching terrible people get their comeuppance, so David Wohl delivers the good stuff in copious amounts. That said, the first short story, which sets the stage for everything that comes after, falls short for its lack of a proper conclusion.
Plot Analysis:
1886
In 1886, Arthur and Maria Toscano arrived in New York to look for a better life and build a legacy for their infant son, Aaron. When Arthur’s strong work ethic rubs a local gang the wrong way, a fiery night filled with mob violence becomes the Toscano family’s undoing.
David Wohl begins the New York-set Holiday tale of woe on a somber note when an immigrant family meets a disturbing end at the hands of a gang that may or may not be human. The short does a fine job creating an inciting incident for what comes after, but the rationale behind the Toscano family’s fate is flimsy. That said, Dario Tallarico’s expressive artwork nails the sense of panic and fear.
1936
In 1936, Tommy Morrison looked over the construction work his gangster employers tasked him with completing after they took over a New York building to settle a gambling debt. His orders? Finish the building as quickly as possible while cutting every dangerous corner he can. Unfortunately for Tommy, the ghosts of massacred residents don’t want anyone hanging around the land where they died, especially a grifter like Tommy.
Wohl leans into the Karmic Justice horror with a tale about a jerk who meets a fitting end. Tommy is just the kind of guy who wouldn’t lose any sleep over tenants suffering in unsafe conditions, so his fate is a satisfying one. Unfortunately, Alessandro Uezu’s art is our least favorite of the anthology.
1986
In 1986, Noah Lowrie intended to make the Holiday party at his company’s NYC office one to remember. Slighted for opportunities and relegated to the mailroom, Noah had the smarts to watch how the executives managed their money and where to cut his slice of the pie when nobody was looking. When Noah seizes his chance to embezzle at the expense of innocent pensioners, Noah soon finds his attempt at corporate greed will land him someplace much hotter than a tropical island.
Wohl’s tale about a disgruntled employee who pays the price for his selfishness and greed goes to unexpected places, thanks to Massimiliano La Manno’s surreal imagery. The Creepshow/Tales From the Darkside vibe in Wohl’s script is the strongest in the anthology.
2020s
Jason is a cutthroat executive who buys companies at bargain prices and destroys any executive who says “No.” Jason’s every need is handled by his AI-driven robot assistant, Amy, who thinks Jason could do better than his current girlfriend, Clarissa. When Jason announces Clarissa is moving in, the dog Clarissa gave Jason disappears, starting a chain reaction of mystery and murder… but it’s not what you think.
Wohl’s final tale of woe presents the karmic fate of a man who treats people like the companies he buys and sells. The AI robot is a modern take with lots of potential to build a layer of paranoia, but the twist ending is convoluted enough to be almost confusing.
Overall, Grimm Tales Of Terror 2024 Holiday Special presents four scenarios of karmic justice (well, three tales and one setup) when terrible people meet terrible ends. David Wohl uses the “cursed land” mechanism to give the anthology an interesting aspect of generational horror. Plus, a brief epilogue scene involving Arthur Toscano’s life after death has potential.
Art Samples:
Final Thoughts:
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GRIMM TALES OF TERROR 2024 HOLIDAY SPECIAL delivers four tales about people living on cursed land in New York who meet untimely ends. David Wohl’s collection of generational horror is relatively solid, albeit imperfect, and the contributions from each artist are very good.
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