GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: MYSTERE: VOODOO DAWN – The Honest Review

In GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: MYSTERE: VOODOO DAWN, available from Zenescope Entertainment on April 21st, 2021, Mystere is called upon to stop an ancient Voodoo Lord from becoming a living god by consolidating the power of the Loa.

The Details

• Written By: Joe Brusha
• Art By: Babisu Kourtis
• Colors By: Grostieta, Fran Gamboa, J.C. Ruiz
• Letters By: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Art By: Igor Vitorino, Ivan Nunes
• Cover Price: $5.99
• Release Date: April 21, 2021

Was It Good?

Yes. This one-shot is this reviewer’s first exposure to the character of Mystere, and it’s a solid jumping-on point. Without giving you the origin story from the very beginning, Brusha peppers in facts and details organically to bring the reader up to speed without resorting to heavy info dumps of exposition.

The art is the typical Zenescope house style with excellent coloring. If you like Zenescope art, you’ll like this issue.

Check out our GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: MYSTERE: VOODOO DAWN preview to take a peek inside.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

Domingo, a powerful Voodoo Lord from the 19th Century uses his powers granted by the Loa for personal wealth and influence. When he gets too full of himself and declares himself more powerful than the Loa, the spirits he channels strike him down, remove the ring that grants him power, and leave him to rot on Earth for his arrogance.

Mary Medina is Mystere, a necromancer who can call the spirits of the dead to fight against evil. Or she used to be Mystere as she’s put mystical battles against evil on hold to settle into a more mundane life by running the New Dawn Shelter.

One day, Mary sees a new visitor to the shelter who introduces herself to Mary as Calista or Mama Cal, if you please. Mama Cal has come to bring Mary to South Carolina because she knows the new Chaos Lords are moving to restore Domingo’s power. A touch by Mama Cal’s hand convinces Mary to go along with the 10-hour road trip from New Orleans to Charleston, but they arrive too late.

The antique shop where Domingo’s ring was hidden has been ransacked and the new Voodoo Lords are still there after killing the shop owner. Mystere manages to fight them off but she winds up knocked unconscious before they flee with the ring.

Back in Louisiana, the Voodoo Lords swear submission to the Loa and place the ring back on Domingo’s mummified finger. His power of Wind and Rain is restored, but to ascend to godhood, he needs the power of the Loa mounted to Mama Cal. They leave to seek her out.

Meanwhile, Mama Cal explains to Mary that all mortals draw their Voodoo power from an assortment of Loa. Mary’s power comes from a Loa that stands at the crosswords between life and death and that’s why she’s able to bring for the spirits for help.

Domingo and his Voodoo Lords arrive to take Mama Cal’s Loa power. Mystere does her best to stop them but Domingo uses his power to call forth a hurricane that negates anything Mary can conjure. Eventually, Domingo takes the Loa power from Mama Cal, killing her, and Mystere is forced to flee with Mama Cal’s body as nearby civilians blame her and everyone casting spells as responsible for the hurricane.

Back in Louisiana, Mystere uses her powers to call for the spirit of Mama Cal to help her in the fight against Domingo and the Voodoo Lords. Together, they find the Voodoo Lords’ hiding spot in the Bayou and begin a battle against Voodoo spells, werewolves, demons, and every weapon at their disposal.

How Does It End?

Mystere’s Loa is not the only Loa that guards a crossroad. Mama Cal is more powerful than you can possibly imagine. And the Righteous Armor of God is a blessing and a curse.

Final Thoughts

GRIMM SPOTLIGHT: MYSTERE: VOODOO DAWN is an excellent jumping-on point with great action, a clear, concise story, and excellent art. Fans of Mystere will enjoy this one-shot. New readers will have a lot to like, as well.

Score: 8.5/10