In GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: HERCULES PAYNE VS. THE SCORPION QUEEN, available from Zenescope Entertainment on June 9th, 2021, Andre “Hercules” Payne is forced to undertake the 12 Trials of Oz as the Scorpion Queen’s champion when his loved ones are taken hostage.
The Details
- Written By: Joe Brusha
- Art By: Jason Muhr
- Colors By: Walter Pereyra
- Letters By: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Art By: Al Barrionuevo, Ivan Nunes
- Cover Price: $5.99
- Release Date: June 9, 2021
Was It Good?
It was mostly good.
Zenescope has a long history of blending an assortment of mythologies that don’t go together in creative ways that puts a unique spin on classic tales. Here, the issue mixes Greek mythology with Oz and wraps it all in urban fantasy. That’s something you don’t see every day, and the blending works much better than you might expect.
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The art is solid for this issue. In particular, the coloring work by Pereyra stands out with rich textures and gradients to give every panel a ton of richness and depth.
See for yourself in our GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: HERCULES PAYNE VS. THE SCORPION QUEEN preview.
The one down with this issue is how quickly and easily the main villain was defeated. It’s so quick and easy, the villain is almost downgraded to a non-threat, leaving you to wonder if the tension of the issue was justified.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Andre “Hercules” Payne is the half-human son of Zeus who uses his invulnerability and strength to clean up the crime-ridden streets that took the life of his cop brother. Sometimes his actions fall into the “ends justify the means” category with the destruction it causes, putting him at odds with his girlfriend, Karina, and her daughter, Maria.
The news crews and drug lords aren’t the only ones taking notice of Hercules Payne. The Scorpion Queen has come to town looking for some muscle to do her bidding.
One night, Hercules’ house is swept up in a tornado-like portal and dumped in Oz. The Scorpion Queen has taken Maria and Karina hostage, insisting Hercules undertake the 12 Trials of Oz to claim the throne for her as his champion.
Hercules agrees and reluctantly completes each trial by destroying and slaughtering every monster, beast, or warrior who stands in his way. Fueled by rage over the loss of his brother and the potential harm to the woman he loves, Hercules slowly becomes a threat to the innocent.
For the last trial, Hercules must destroy the sacred tree of the Boggers. When he arrives in the village, the elder casts a spell on the tree to show anyone who tries to harm it what will happen — death and destruction to the Boggers. Confronted with his misdeeds and the innocent death he almost causes, Hercules turns back and chooses to fight the Scorpion Queen.
During the fight, Maria and Karina are stung by the Queen’s tail. Hercules attacks with everything he’s got, but the Queen defeats him and decides to complete the last trial on her own.
We’re with the story so far, and it seems straightforward, but here’s where it takes an odd turn. Before the Scorpion Queen can destroy the sacred tree, the Boggers (small, munchkin-like people) defeat the Scorpion Queen by throwing sticks and stones at her.
Hercules couldn’t defeat her with his invulnerability and super strength, but the Boggers drove her off by throwing debris. It makes no sense and almost invalidates the entire story.
We conclude the issue with the elder Bogger giving Hercules one of the fruits from the Sacred tree, leading to a surprising result.
How Does It End?
Taking the fruit is the same thing as receiving the fruit as a gift, according to the throne’s guardian. Power comes with healing. Healing brings a new outlook on life for Andre “Hercules” Payne.
Final Thoughts
GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: HERCULES PAYNE VS. THE SCORPION QUEEN is filled with great art, great action, and an imaginative blending of multiple stories for something wholly unique, despite an impossibly hard to swallow conclusion, the ending has the potential for more interesting stories to come.
Score: 7/10
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