Indie Comics Review: Grimm Tales Of Terror Quarterly: H. H. Holmes

Review: Grimm Tales Of Terror Quarterly: H. H. Holmes

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment

Story By: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, and Dave Francini

Written By: Jay Sandlin 

Art By: Rodrigo Xavier and Allan Otero

Colors By: Maxflan Araujo and Vinicius Andrade

Letters By: Carlos M. Mangual

Review By: Kendra Hale 

Summary

Most of us have heard of H. H. Holmes, toted as America’s first known serial killer who lured his victim’s to his “Murder Castle”. He and his deeds have been explored through several pop culture medias and historical documentaries.  Seems right that he finds his way into the Zenescope world as well.  With enough twists to make your head pull a full Exorcist reference, let’s dive into this quarterly. 

Welcome to the Gemini Hotel, grand in scope and design. Readers are welcomed in by witnessing the death of a poor young lady who has quite the mysterious death. It is because of this death that we meet Detective Sarah Murphy, an ex-cop who has become private security for the hotel. Granted, she has very good reasons for leaving her post and going private.

While Sarah and her boss, the owner of the hotel, Walter Lewis, are looking in the room where the death occurred, a man walks in. Introducing himself as Inspector Harold Myers, he beginning showing them all the signs of cause of death that they missed. Some of which are questionable as to how he knows.  

As a self proclaimed expert on H. H. Holmes, Myers is seeing the connections for the trap doors, hidden springs, and other traps. He begins to tell Holmes tale to Murphy as they make their way through the hidden interior of the Gemini with the maintenance man and Lewis. Nothing is what it seems in any regard and everyone is a suspect as bodies begin piling up…will anyone make it out of this revised Murder Palace alive?

Positives

Grimm Tales Of Terror Quarterly: H. H. Holmes has the subject matter as an immediate positive. For fans of true crime, it was a joy to see the research showing up in this book. Jay Sandlin gives us a cohesive tale that plays both in reality and in the fantastical. The artwork is diabolically delightful as it switches between Rodrigo Xavier and Allan Otero, each giving a fantastic view in this world. 

Maxflan Araujo and Vinicius Andrade give vibrant colors when needed and then when dealing with the supernatural switch the tone to match. Some of my favorite scenes hold torture implements or hell fire. The colors amplify the details and make the tale whole. 

Negatives

There really aren’t any. There were some parts that were predictable, but others that made up for that predictability. 

Verdict

I advise a read, this was great ride.  If you are a true crime buff this hits those sinful notes, plucking them in time with the chaos.