GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #3 – Review

GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #3, by Zenescope on 3/5/25, introduces a shy student to the Devil’s Chair, a mysterious brick structure that calls the Devil to all who sit on it. But is the myth real?

Credits:

• Writer: Dave Franchini
• Artist: Rodrigo Xavier
• Colorist: Robby Bevard
• Letterer: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Artist: Eric J (cover A)
• Publisher: Zenescope Entertianment
• Release Date: March 5, 2025
• Comic Rating: Mature (language)
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 30
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #3:

Plot Analysis:

Grimm Fairy Tales (Vol. 5) #3 begins with an introduction to Henry Dooley – a high school student desperate to go to college to escape his town and his less-than-affectionate parents. Today, Henry has a big problem because he failed his math test, and Matt, the local bully, failed by copying Henry’s answers. After a brief shoving match by the lockers, Henry’s teacher pulls him aside and introduces Henry to Melanie, a beautiful student willing to tutor Henry.

Later, Melanie urges Henry to hang out with her and her friends, including Matt, after school at the local site of The Devil’s Chair. Matt grudgingly minds his manners as the teens sit around the years-old oddity – a brick chair in the middle of a cemetery. It’s said that whoever sits in the chair will hear the Devil whispering to them, and they are obliged to leave an opened can of beer overnight as an offering or risk getting dragged to Hell. Matt goads Henry into sitting on the chair, but the laughter turns to concern when Henry appears to freeze as if he’s seeing or listening to something the rest can’t. Suddenly, Henry gets up and runs away.

Henry races home and locks himself in his room. Suddenly, a ghostly, beautiful woman appears to him and reassures him that she means no harm. Terrified, Henry backs away, but the woman tells him she’s come to answer his wish. A small spark leaps from her hand to Henry’s head, and he passes out. The next morning, Henry wakes up and believes it was all a dream. However, when Henry gets to math class, his wish for knowledge comes true when he aces his test with flying colors.

As the days stretch into weeks, Henry revisits the chair for more knowledge that will get him into college. For good measure, Henry asks for the skills to woo the beautiful Melanie. Unfortunately, Matt the bully gets suspicious of Henry’s performance and follows him. When Matt interrupts Henry’s chair session and threatens to destroy the chair with a shovel, Henry attacks Matt and kills him.

Thankfully, the ghostly woman has a solution for everything. To make things right, Henry will need to create a special offering. The issue concludes with giving up what you love to get what you want, buyer’s remorse, and the truth behind (underneath?) the Devil’s Chair.

First Impressions:

I like Grimm Fairy Tales (Vol. 5) #3, and it may be the best story in the episodic series so far. The legend is interesting, Franchini’s execution is dead-on, and the twist ending (yes, there’s a twist) is super cool.

Artwork and Presentation:

Longtime Zenescope readers are no strangers to Rodrigo Xavier’s art style, so it’s a big plus to have him on the latest issue. Beyond the presence of a ghostly woman, the majority of the issue focuses on normal looking teenagers doing normal looking things, but Xavier sells it through the spectrum of emotions Henry feels when things go from bad to great to horrible.

Art Samples:

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Story Positives & Negatives:

The Positives:

Grimm Tales of Terror (Vol. 5) #3 nails the central concept and potential of what this series has the potential to be – a worthy successor to Tales From The Crypt and other such episodic horror series. Teenagers taking dangerous risks is perfect fodder for midnight matinee storytelling, and the ending is a surprise hit.

The Negatives:

This point isn’t picking on a flaw so much as it points out where the story could have been improved. The preface page and the opening scenes involve the chair mention a relationship with the Devil and drinking an unopened beer can. It would have been nice to incorporate pieces of the legend into Henry’s experience to give the legend a hidden meaning or twisted truth.

Final Thoughts:

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GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #3 is the strongest tale of terror yet when Zenescope spins a yarn about a real-life haunted landmark. Dave Franchini’s tale of woe is perfect fodder for a popcorn film, and the art looks great.

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