Review: Grimm Universe Presents Quarterly: Steampunk
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Story By: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini, Lou Iovino
Writer: Lou Iovino
Artist: Alessio Mariani, Rodrigo Xavier, Ismael Canales, Allan Otero
Color Artist: Maxflan Araujo, Marco Brakko, Edwin Estrada
Letterer: Tyler Esposito (of Ghost Glyphs Studios)
Review by: Kendra Hale
Summary
In this massive 72-page Quarterly, the lines between realms have thinned. Escaping his dying steampunk world, Abraham Van Helsing Jr. and his crew of pirates have found their way to Earth, and the fun is just beginning for readers. In the middle of a biochemical drug war, where the most important thing is money, will those from outside of this realm have the upper hand? Let’s dive into Grimm Universe Presents Quarterly: Steampunk.
A Little Glass Vial
The setting is South Central, Los Angeles and readers are in the middle of a drug deal. The drug of choice is Ether, but as always seems to happen, nothing goes smoothly. But not to worry, Van Helsing Jr. and the rest of the crew are ready for a brawl. After the fight is over, Abraham stakes his claim on the city…but he isn’t the only stakeholder.
Ash, the current crime lord, has had an iron grip on this city, and is not too happy with this invasion. But even though he doesn’t have other realm knowledge, he has his own tricks and ruthlessness to spare. He even has a scientist working on experiments that involve living people who have taken the Ether. His scientist finds out some pretty interesting information that will change the drug game in L.A., but his knowledge and inventions have a cost.
Flashbacks Of Harder Times
Abraham has a ragtag crew that features all the best types of personalities. Among them are Captain Manx, Ezzie, Kade, Adora, and Calder. In this feature, we get a chance to look back into the past and be introduced to, not only, these characters, but how they formed these strong bonds as a crew.
It is really cool to see the stories and the deepening of the characters. It makes you care more as you watch the story unfold and genuinely care what is to come next. Readers will get a conclusion to this futuristic drug war, but there are two rather large loose ends that will be played out later, and they are tasty!
Positives
Grimm Universe Presents Quarterly: Steampunk provides action and adventure in all the right ways. It is genuinely a story where you can be popped into this universe and be fine with not knowing anything. It leaves you wanting so much more of this crew and their adventures.
The level of talent in this jam-packed issue is fully on display in all aspects. Lou Iovino gives us a cohesive story brought together by a slew of artists set on immersing the readers. The attention to detail is brilliant for a comic with steampunk as the theme, and the color palette matches the tones wonderfully.
Negatives
None. As stated above, you don’t have to be up to date with any of these characters in order to understand the concept or the plot. Nor do you need it to appreciate the artwork on display.
Verdict
Grimm Universe Presents Quarterly: Steampunk is an excellent jump into the Zenescope Universe and it’s a thrilling adventure, for sure. Action packed and a blessing for any steampunk fan. Lou Iovino and the team have given us a wonderful dip into the seedy side of dealings and I am excited to see what is next!
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