GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #7 – New Comic Review

Grimm Tales of Terror Vol. 5 #7, from Zenescope on 7/23/25, attempts to unearth the chilling urban legend of the Slit-Mouthed Woman, but ultimately delivers a narrative as blunt as dull scissors.

Credits:

• Writer: Ralph Tedesco
• Artist: Julius Abrera
• Colorist: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
• Letterer: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Artist: Edgar Salazar, Robby Bevard (cover A)
• Publisher: Zenescope Enterainment
• Release Date: July 23, 2025
• Comic Rating: Mature (gore, language)
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 26
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #7:

First Impressions:

My gut reaction after finishing this comic was less a scream of terror and more a quiet sigh of “is that all?” It feels like a quick cash-in on a well-known legend, executed with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm or original thought.

Plot Analysis:

Grimm Tales of Terror Volume 5 #7 introduces the legend of “The Slit-Mouthed Woman,” a terrifying figure known globally and whispered about in fear. She is depicted with a grotesque smile and bloody scissors, and encountering her means facing her fateful questions. The story begins in Tokyo, Japan, where a man named Sota is confronted by this entity in an elevator after pressing the 13th floor, a clear sign of impending horror as he is found gruesomely murdered.

The narrative then shifts to New York, focusing on Steve and his girlfriend. Their evening is interrupted by Steve needing to leave to return home to his wife, causing friction as his girlfriend suspects he is stringing her along. Later, Steve returns home to find his wife, Mika, dead in a bathtub filled with blood, a scene that deeply shocks him. At Mika’s funeral, a tense exchange reveals that Mika knew Steve was cheating on her, with Mei accusing him and suggesting Mika should have left instead of taking her own life.

The plot thickens as news spreads about Mika’s death, with some speculating she killed herself after discovering Steve’s infidelity. A conversation between friends highlights the rumors of Steve cheating with multiple women, and Mika reportedly overdosed on Xanax and slit her wrists. One of Mika’s friends, feeling unwell, goes to the restroom and encounters a woman with a masked mouth, who then poses the ominous question, “Do you think I’m pretty?” This same question is later posed to other women, leading to violent outcomes, suggesting the Slit-Mouthed Woman is targeting those connected to Steve’s infidelity.

In a shocking turn, Steve is arrested and accused of the murders, with evidence like photos and surveillance footage placing him at the scene. Despite his claims of innocence, he’s incarcerated in the Coryell County Detention Center. Three weeks later, while imprisoned, Steve is also confronted by the Slit-Mouthed Woman. He recognizes her from his research into the deaths, and when she asks if he thinks she’s pretty, he answers “No.” The story concludes with Steve, now bearing the same facial disfigurement as the victims, being found not guilty of all charges in court, while the Slit-Mouthed Woman and other spectral figures are present.

Story

The narrative here is a paint-by-numbers exercise in horror tropes. It takes the compelling urban legend of Kuchisake-Onna and strips it of any nuanced dread, offering a predictable sequence of events that feels more like a checklist than a crafted story. The dialogue is functional at best, often clunky and uninspired, failing to give any real personality to the characters or to build genuine suspense. There’s a severe lack of originality in its execution, making for a forgettable read that relies solely on pre-existing folklore without adding a fresh twist.

Art

Julius Abrera’s artwork is a mixed bag, with some panels showcasing a decent grasp of anatomy and action, but overall consistency is lacking. Character expressions often fall into generic molds, failing to convey the intensity of fear or pain needed for a horror comic. Juan Manuel Rodriguez’s coloring is largely flat, doing little to enhance the atmosphere or distinguish between different scenes effectively. The panel layouts are straightforward and rarely contribute to the storytelling, which means the visuals rarely rise above being merely descriptive rather than evocative.

Characters

If you’re looking for characters with depth, motivation, or even basic personality, you’ve come to the wrong comic. The teens in this story exist solely as body count fodder for the Slit-Mouthed Woman. Sarah, as the protagonist, is given slight more screentime, but her arc is minimal and her reactions feel less like a terrified human and more like a character designed to navigate plot points. There’s no reason to connect with or care about any of them, making their inevitable demise feel less tragic and more like a necessary step to advance the thin plot.

Positives

The comic does leverage a fascinating and genuinely unsettling urban legend, which serves as an effective initial hook for horror aficionados. There are a few moments where the art genuinely captures the horrific nature of the Slit-Mouthed Woman, particularly in her more grotesque reveals, hinting at what could have been. Furthermore, the dedication to classic slasher gore, while not always polished, will appeal to readers specifically looking for brutal, no-holds-barred horror.

Negatives

This issue squanders its compelling premise, delivering a rehashed take on the Slit-Mouthed Woman that feels utterly devoid of fresh ideas or genuine terror. Its characters are remarkably flimsy, serving no purpose beyond being gruesome props for the spirit’s rampage, leaving readers with zero emotional investment. The dialogue is stiff and unnatural, tripping up any attempts at building tension or rapport. Compounding these issues, the art, despite occasional flashes of competence, often defaults to bland expressions and uninspired backgrounds, actively undermining the horror and making the entire experience feel disappointingly flat. It’s a comic that promises nightmares but delivers only yawns.

Art Samples:

Final Thoughts:

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GRIMM TALES OF TERROR (VOL. 5) #7 struggles to impress, offering a hollow retread of a classic horror tale. It aims for scares but misses the mark, delivering a predictable plot with underdeveloped characters and inconsistent art. While the core legend remains intriguing, this particular rendition does little to elevate it beyond a forgettable read.

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