GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #2, by Zenescope on 2/12/25, recounts the legend of The Candy Lady, a woman who lured children to their deaths with the promise of a sweet treat. But is there more to the story?
Credits:
- Writer: Joe Brusha
- Artist: Daniel Mainé
- Colorist: Juan Manuela Rodriguez
- Letterer: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Artist: Eric J (cover A)
- Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
- Release Date: February 12, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 28
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #2:
Plot Analysis:
The story begins with a brief flashback to the town of Terrell, Texas in the early 1900s. A group of men finds bloody clothes and children’s teeth in a field, the latest discovery after a sting of children has gone missing. The fathers in the group long suspect that Carla Crane is behind the disappearances, and they believe she must be destroyed. The prologue ends with Carl Crane burned at the stake.
Now, Michelle Carson arrives in town to investigate and write a news piece on the recent reports that children are disappearing again. She encounters local children teasing a boy with scary stories that Carla Crane, The Candy Lady, has returned. Later, Michelle arrives at her parents’ home to a frost welcome. Her mother doesn’t approve of Michell’s career path or snooping ways.
During dinner, Michelle’s father receives a call that another child has disappeared. Michelle races to the crime scene to ask the Sheriff questions, but the Sheriff won’t cooperate. Michelle spots a boy on a bike nearby, so she acts on a hunch and approaches the boy to ask if he’s seen anything. The boy takes her to a nearby cave where dozens of children’s dolls are hung from the nearby trees. Michelle finds teeth in the cave but nothing else.
Michelle’s great-grandfather was the Sheriff presiding over the town when Carla Crane was lynched, so she roots through his belongings in her family home’s attic. She finds an old journal with several entries indicating her great-grandfather knew Carla Crane was innocent. Michelle confronts her parents about the journal, and their reaction leads to a horrifying conclusion.
The issue ends with the truth revealed, the wrong things made right, and an uncertain future for Terrell, Texas.
First Impressions:
Overall, Grimm Tales Of Terror (Vol. 5) #2 ain’t half bad. Joe Brusha’s cross between Candyman and the Blair Witch Project incorporates solid creep factor with an original spin. The twist reveal doesn’t quite have the full time needed to make sense, but it’s a solid spook tale.
Artwork and Presentation:
The must-have in any legend-come-to-life tale is a creepy monster to give you the chills. Daniel Mainé successfully achieves the task with a Candy Lady design that makes sense for the tragic history of the monster and is visually impactful in every scene she appears in.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? Joe Brusha’s spooktacular tale successfully integrates familiar tales of killers who turn into something much worse after death and puts a fresh spin on it that horror comic fans will appreciate.
The Negatives:
The twist reveal doesn’t quite come together. Without spoiling it, the incident that creates the Candy Lady isn’t what it seems from the reports, so the story needed enough innocuous clues to make the misdirects and red herrings meaningful. Here, you don’t get enough clues or misdirects, so the twist feels rushed.
Final Thoughts:
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GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #2 is another spooktacular entry in the one-and-done series when a reporter visits her hometown to investigate the supposed return of the Candy Lady. Joe Brusha’s ghost tale takes several familiar stories and blends them in a surprisingly fresh way, and Daniel Mainé’s art is rock solid, especially the monster design. That said, the twist reveal and the clues leading up to it don’t quite come together.
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