Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast!

For this entry, we’re at the conclusion of the second arc of arguably the coolest book at the comic shops. Since its’ debut, this book from BOOM! STUDIOS has been a staple on readers’ pull lists and with good reason. The story of Jessica Harrow has a whole energy and vibe unlike anything else you are picking up. The series is taking a small break until July so it is a perfect time to catch up if need be, but luckily we have one more issue to discuss until then. Grim #10 by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano sends the ever-evolving mystery into its’ semi-hiatus with an issue we need to discuss. let’s not wait any longer and get into a closer look, shall we?

Grim #10 - On sale April 26th
Creative: Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano
Credit: Boom! Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

On a routine job being a reaper in the after-life, Jessica Harrow had no idea what was going to spiral out of control following her accidentally crossing over into the land of the living chasing a runaway soul. Her aunt Adira had put plans in motion to keep Jessica at bay from finding out what caused such an event. A being known as The End came looking for her to set everything into perfect balance. With the help of her fellow reapers Eddie and Marcel, Jessica set out for answers. What she found along the way was the revelation that her father was DEATH! The happy reunion was interrupted by The End and the fight ensuing led to Death’s demise. It also led to Adira banishing Jessica and her friends to the living world, executing her plans to the letter.

While stranded in Las Vegas, it is discovered that people can no longer die and bear a mysterious red marking on their foreheads. Jessica appears to be the cause of this. While diving into the reasons for this, Jessica crosses paths with the the Sisters of Fate. The Sisters have a plan to fix this but Jessica is not on board. Meanwhile Marcel and Eddie find out via Anabell (another reaper) that Adira has sent all the reapers to hunt down Jessica and bring her back. During this talk, they confront what appears to be a devil who attacks Marcel for previous actions in his living years, resulting in sending him to Hell. All the while, her human mother Lilah breaks out of jail and has a party with vested interest into a amulet in her possession.

This issue picks up with Jessica trying to fin a way to help Marcel after the Devil they faced kicks them out of his realm. Eddie is visibly emotional and blaming Jessica for not caring. trying to wrap her head around what just happened, Jessica is comforted by Anabell about what to do next. Anabell attempts to instill some confidence in Jessica. She comes up with an idea to solve all their woes: Jessica needs to take back her father’s scythe. The only problem with that is it is in Adira’s possession.

Speaking of problems, Lilah meets with the mysterious figure who wants the necklace she is carrying. Readers see a new player make a big impact from the unveiling of their identity. Switching gears back to Jessica, the pep talk finally seeps in and she’s ready to go. With the plan in place, Jessica, Eddie and Anabell make an attempt to steal the scythe back. Readers see how this plays out and need to brace for some big moments. It’ a perfect build to get to the closing act. These all lead towards a final page that will send readers home amped up and counting down the days till issue #11.

BREAKDOWN: Phillips sends things off (for now) with an excellent issue. Jessica’s new stat quo has been one she’s been denying this entire arc. Granted, it is a lot to take in with secrets begin revealed but Jessica finally has the moment where she has no other choice but to go for it. Phillips sets this up perfectly using Marcel’s fate as the deciding factor. The conversation with Anabell works superbly as readers see Jessica face those doubts head on. It comes across as a supportive talk and readers will see Jessica find ready to face what lies ahead. The payoff is big once the final act starts and is amplified even more with the closing image. Lilah’s story is slowly coming together, but the introduction of the new figure looks to create a bigger impact on Jessica’s life in the next arc. Their conversation might have been brief in comparison, but the situation Lilah is in now looks to be another challenge thrown in Jessica’s way down the road. Excellent final scenario to leave readers on until the next chapter begins.

This might sound like a broken record at this stage, but how amazing is Flaviano and Renzi’s art? Going for a four wide panel page blueprint, the art drives home how Jessica is impacted by the loss of Marcel and what Fate is lining her up to do. The panel structure also gives the conversation between Jesscia and Anabell a more personal feel as the reader is sitting in on the frank talk about what needs to happen. Jessica’s range of emotions stretch from anxious to scared to this sequence but ultimately end in confident once she accepts what she needs to do. The introduction of the new character also needs to be highlighted. It is a flashy one page panel but instantly connects to the readers that they are something we haven’t seen in this series yet. The debut is bold and charismatic thanks to the coloring of the sequence. Once the story swings back into the final moments, Flaviano’s set-up for the new landscape is eye catching with a near full page panel of their location. It adds to the closing images and where the story heads with the mic drop moment to wrap up on.

FINAL POINT: Grim by Phillips, Flaviano, Renzi and Napolitano has taken readers on quite the journey following the mystery of Jessica Harrow. With this second arc concluding at issue #10, Jessica’s denial of her destiny is answered when forced to address it. Strong writing and amazing art sets comics’ favorite reaper on her inevitable course with a finale that is sure to keep fans amped up for the eventual return.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Grim #10. Thanks for reading!