Grimm Fairy Tales: Robyn Hood Legend continues the story of our female Robyn Hood who has escaped from a dark, brutal Nottingham into the modern times. Once in the big city, our heroine turns herself into a Green Arrow type vigilante, patrolling the city and taking from the criminal rich and giving to the poor. But, even though she is trying to let the past go and embrace her new life, she can’t seem to escape it. Her old choices and her old mistakes haunt her dreams, making her shun companionship, and keeping her sealed tight in a world of self-imposed despair. And then things suddenly get even worse!

For one night, Robyn’s past literally comes to life. Maid Marian, Guy of Gisbourne and Will Scarlett, who she thought was dead, appearing in this world. And they have come in search of her, to take her back to Nottingham, so she can help their ragged tag group of former enemies defeat the Dark Horde that she left behind.

From reading a few comic collections from the Grimm Universe, I generally expect these stories to have two essential features: really hot chicks and incredibly dark stories. Here there is definitely the former (Robyn is a scantily clad vigilante, of course), but the creative team has toned down the darkness and gore, making this comic story more about the character’s relationships with one another. And that actually works, because the narrative about Will’s love for Robyn (especially our female archer’s reluctance to embrace that love and why) and the flashbacks about Sir Guy of Gisbourne’s past were both well handled, turning what could have been ho-hum plot lines into something a bit deeper and more meaningful. Hell, the creative team even transformed Maid Marian into more than just a damsel in distress.

Overall, Robyn Hood Legends was a well written and illustrated comic collection. Patrick Shand did a really good job of creating a new wrinkle in the Robyn Hood mythos while tidying up the past storylines. The art was very nice, if not spectacular, and the covers were stellar as always. You might not find anything earth shattering here, but it is still a fun comic collection to try out.

This one is recommended for people who like fairy tale re-imagining, Zenescope, masked vigilantes, bows and arrows, and really hot chicks.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them both for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.

I was provided the this issue of Wonderland Asylum after issue #19 by Netgalley for a fair and in biased review. I have a full and complete one ready to post later on. For now, here is a brief summary of my thoughts.The artwork in Woderland Asylum is phenomenal. I enjoyed the sarcasm and humor.that was continued through each of the lands. Although I didn't read the previous 19 issues I felt that the introduction provided enough background information to include the reader as to where the graphic novel plot was at that point. The extra art work of alternate covers at the end was a perk. Besides the art work were the coloring and the metering which were magnificent as well. In total I felt the comic could be read as a stand alone. This graphic novel has adult themes, language, and situations. I look forward to see what else www.zenescope.com will develop.

The art work that was done on this graphic novel is amazing. I feel that the introduction of the story was enough to catch the reader up to allow this read to almost function fluidly as a stand alone. However, I feel if I had read the #19 other issues before this, I would understand much more into the madness and depths of the story than I currently do.

It just happens that at the point that I was planning on calling the reading of this book done for the night, I came across a most wonderful quote. It has been a long day...plus my insomnia and the heat have been making everything an extreme effort for me.

For What is a Realm of Dreams with no Dreamer?

I'm so excited that Wonderland Asylum is one of my first graphic novels to review from Netgalley. Thankfully the site provided all of the information about the publishers and artists. I was able to go to www.zenescope.com and check out much more of their art. 

Now I'm making the quick journey over to their Facebook page to Like as well, www.Facebook.com/Zenescope . The art is amazing and the story line has caught me from the start. I'm hoping I can earn my way in the ranks for more of these graphic novels. As most of you know I was a huge fan of The Walking Dead graphic novels and own both of the Compendiums. The galley that I've really been anticipating are the Fables. 

But for right now I'm enjoying Grimm Fairy Tales presents Wonderland Asylum which takes place after Wonderland #19. So to really get into this series I have 19 back issues to read. I think instead of a sugar daddy I'm going to need a book daddy. DO those even exist? If they do.....I'm  here  <-----------------

Zenescope’s Grimm Universe is about to undergo some dramatic changes. For while the ancient war between the Dark Horde and the Guardians has been raging for ages and Wonderland and Neverland have already fallen to the monstrous Jabberwocky and the soul-devouring Pan, now an even greater threat has arisen, as the Dark Queen returns. Her aim to unleash an Age of Darkness upon all four Grimm Realms: Oz, Neverland, Wonderland, and Myst!

Standing against the Queen’s dark tide will be almost the whole Zenescope pantheon of characters, including the Realm Knights and especially Dr. Sela Mathers. But will even such an epic collection of heroes hope to contain the unbridled power and evil of the Dark Queen?

That is the over arching question that begins to be answered in this graphic novel, which is the first volume in what supposedly is going to be three "Age of Darkness" collections leading up to the Realm Wars series. A war that will change the Grimm Universe forever!

After finishing Age of Darkness Volume I, all I can say is that it was a decent read with some interesting stories. The Dark Queen one-shot at the beginning of the book nicely introduces the vile villainous and then sets the Realm Knights into action. The stories that follow contain some really interesting character-driven stories that bring the superhero/mystical action down to real world level, making it clear that all this immense universe changing stuff does not happen in a vacuum and does effect ordinary people. Unfortunately, like many compilation graphic novels, these stories do not have a common plot line that seamlessly drives a reader from one story to the next. Instead, the story bounces around from one character and situation to another with little connection, leaving a casual reader confused about what the hell is actually going on. A major let down for me: i.e. casual reader.

As for the artwork, it is very good. Stylized, action-oriented with the mandatory scantily-clad and sexy ladies throughout. But, as you read the compilation, you will notice that a different artist and/or art team has created each issue. While viewing different artistic styles and representations of familiar characters doesn’t bother me, I know that it does detract from some readers enjoyment of a story, so be prepared for the art to change as the story progresses.

All in all, Age of Darkness Volume I is best categorized as a setup story for the coming Realm Wars. If you are a dedicated fan of the Grimm Universe or a constant visitor, then this graphic volume is a must reading for the future shake up in the universe and is quite enjoyable. If you are just a person wanting an entertaining story that starts at point A and ends at Point B, I’d suggest that you skip this one and start your tour of the Grimm Universe in another place.

I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank both of them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.