KEYS OF CTHULHU (ONE-SHOT), from Zenescope Entertainment on 8/23/23, follows Avril Wiliams and Phoenix on vacation when Dagon’s forces interrupt tropical bliss to claim the keys to free Cthulhu.
The Details
- Written by: Chas! Pangburn, Dave Franchini
- Art by: Ricardo Osnaya
- Colors by: Maxflan Araujo
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Al Barrionuevo (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $6.99
- Release date: August 23, 2023
Is It Good?
KEYS OF CTHULHU (ONE-SHOT) brings the Grimm Universe one step closer to the climactic finale of the Year of Lovecraft as Dagon slowly gathers the keys necessary to unlock Cthulhu’s prison. This time, Chas! Pangburn and Dave Franchini identify the final two keys as Avril Williams (witch) and Phoenix (fire elemental). Filled with plenty of magical action and monsters, the big draw of this comic is the building momentum toward Chthulhu’s release.
Pangburn and Franchini’s script centers on Avrial Williams and Phonexi enjoying a little R&R in Costa Rica when they encounter Dagon’s demonic forces. Avril and Phoenix are the last two keys needed to complete Dagon’s ritual to release Chthulu from his ancient prison, so the race is on to escape or suffer a fate worse than death.
One of the big criticism’s we’ve had about the Year of Lovecraft across Zenescope’s line is the lack of focus. It took quite a while to gain clarity about who the main villain should be and what they’re trying to do within all the attacks and sorties against the collective of Grimm heroes. You got a Lovecraft tone but a disjointed arc.
Thankfully, the pieces are coming together. We now know the main villain is Dagon, we know what Dagon wants, and the consequences to the world if he gets it. If you’ve been put off by the lack of focus and direction in Zenescope’s titles surrounding the year of Lovecraft, now is a good point to jump back in.
What’s great about this comic? Prior to this last year, Avirl and Phoenix took a significant backseat to the Grimm Fairy tale characters. It’s nice to see characters with potential get more development and page time to earn readers’ attention. The challenge presented is bigger than our heroes can overcome, and Dagon gets one step closer to his goal. In short, this oversized issue makes significant progress in the arc and the characters.
What’s not so great about this comic? There’s a lot of back and forth, primarily with Phoenix urging Avril to fight the forces trying to control her mind and the same in the reverse. At the two-thirds point, the battle starts to feel repetitive, and when almost the entire issue is one fight, repetitiveness is a downer.
How’s the art? Ricardo Osnaya’s art style is decent enough for the script provided. Osnaya’s figure work, especially on the perspective panels, gets a little too exaggerated, almost becoming cartoonish, but it’s good enough for most of the issue. The big plus comes by way of Maxflan Aruajo’s gorgeous coloring.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a prologue at the Mountains of Madness, Dagon and his assembled keys prepare to release Cthulhu as soon as they acquire the last two keys, Avril Williams and Phoenix.
Elsewhere, Avril Williams and Phoenix enjoy some romantic time in Costa Rica on a well-earned vacation. When they set out for a leisure stroll near the beach, they stumble upon a cave ripe for exploring. The cave, however, has a pair of snakelike monsters waiting to pounce on the unwitting keys. During the fight Avril is knocked unconscious and confronted by an evil version of herself, taunting Avril to give in to Dagon’s control.
Avril fights offer her darker half and wakes up just in time to help Phonex to defeat the snake demons. When they believe their fight is over, a portal opens nearby. The Dark One, Tempest, and Ramsey arrive with a small army of Dagon’s minions to capture the last keys.
We conclude the issue with a little Red help, more portals, and a lost key.
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Final Thoughts
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KEYS OF CTHULHU (ONE-SHOT) brings Zenescope’s year of Lovecraft one step closer to completion as Dagon sends his minions to capture the last two keys. You get plenty of battle action presented with decent art, and the overall arc takes a significant step forward, but the battle-heavy issue gets repetitive after a point.
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