December 14, 2022

ODPH Podcast

Boom Studios, Comics, Entertainment, Magic, Pop Culture

GRIM #6 (BOOM STUDIOS)

December 14, 2022

ODPH Podcast

Boom Studios, Comics, Entertainment, Magic, Pop Culture

Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay points, the comic book review blog for the ODPH podcast. For this entry, arguably THE best comic series to debut in 2022 has finally returned to the local comic shops! GRIM #6 by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano picks right up where the game changing first story arc ends. Trust me when I say, the life and times of Jessica Harrow has been some of the most complete storytelling you will come across! Let’s not wait an ger ad take a deeper dive into Grim’s return, shall we?

GRIM #6 - On Sale December 14th
Creative: Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano
Credit: Boom Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

In case you’re new to this series, Jessica Harrow is a reaper, helping to guide dead souls to the other side. When a routine assignment goes off the track, Jessica realizes there is more mystery to her than she can even fathom. The journey has shown some insane twists and turns with the current stat quo being she (along with her friends Eddie and Marcel) are now trapped on Earth thanks to Adira. There are so many amazing moments going on with this series that fortunately for readers, GRIM Vol. 1 SC Discover Now Edition is hitting the stores this week as well!

However, this issue kicks off with a trip to No Man’s Land 1917. The scene is intense as war is fully in gear and soldiers mounting attacks. There is a notable red marking on their foreheads. As a solider lines up to shoot, he is killed by opposing fire. His body falls at the feet of a very notable character of the series: DEATH!

From here, the story shifts back to a gentleman walking into a club and catching the act performing on stage. This gentleman is Harold, the messenger, who approaches the singing group after the performance. Harold informs them of changes, but the trio already is aware of the shifting events of the afterlife.

At this stage, the story now shifts to Jessica (as well as Eddie and Marcel) are attending a music festival. This has been the first moment to adjust from the events of last issue and their apparent exile. Jessica takes a break from the music to clear her head with a walk. On this break, she runs into someone with the same mysterious red marking on their forehead like the soldiers at No Man’s Land. What happens next will throw everyone off! What does this stranger do? What is the secret behind the marking? What is going on with the epilogue. Welcome to the new phase of Grim! Readers will have much to be buzzing about with this issue.

Phillips doesn’t skip a beat with the returning arc! The mystery of the red markings should be something big when it’s all said and done. The introduction was pulled off exceptionally well. There are so many questions to guess at (granted,it’s the first issue back), but that’s what makes Grim stand out from other books. It’s constantly keeping readers on edge and not letting things tire. Seeing Harold pass along about the changes happening is another plot point to watch for. Pacing was great as the major players had enough panel time to hook new readers into the story. Seeing how Jessica is processing last issue’s event capped off a strong return.

The art of Flaviano (with Renzi’s coloring) takes this whole story onto other levels. One area that is always noticeable is the way music is incorporated into each issue. The lyrics of the song playing always stand out on the pages. Napolitano’s lettering makes them all pop on each scene. From the club scenes to Jessica zoning out to some Bruce Springsteen, these moments don’t go unnoticed by any reader. The statue scenes with Jessica at the festival really shine. This book has a style all it’s own and visually, there’s nothing like it on the shelves. You need to see it all for yourself.

FINAL POINT: Welcome Back Jessica Harrow! Grim #6 kicks off its’ latest arc with a perfect blend of amazing writing and phenomenal art. Phillips, Flaviano and the team show no sign of slowing down the momentum of this series any time soon. Get this book and vol. 1 TPB at your comic shops this week!

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Grim #6. Thanks for reading!

September 28, 2022

Ken M

Boom Studios, Comics, Horror, Magic, NYCC, Pop Culture

GRIM #5 (BOOM STUDIOS)

September 28, 2022

Ken M

Boom Studios, Comics, Horror, Magic, NYCC, Pop Culture

Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay points, the complementary comic book blog to the ODPH Podcast! For this entry, we’re checking out the final story chapter of the initial arc of Boom Studios’ smash hit new series! GRIM #5 by by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano for Boom Studios has been nothing but a runaway success. Multiple printings right out the gate and Jessica Harrow is in top contention for best new character of 2022 without question. Let’s not waste any more time and jump into the latest installment, shall we?

GRIM #5 - On sale September 28th
Creative: Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano
Credit: Boom Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Jessica Harrow’s (after)life as been nothing short of an adventure. Being a reaper and guiding a stray soul into the ever-after, the soul escapes and Jessica follows suit into the land of the living. Once there, she crosses over where she can be seen as a human. With the mystery of how this happened looming overhead, Jessica has been on the run from Adira, her boss who doesn’t want her searching any more. She’s not he only one invested in Jessica as The End, a force of nature who is looking to restore balance. The journey has led Jessica and her friends to Las Vegas in search of Death, who has been lurking in Sin City for quite some time.

This issue kicks off with Death explaining to Jessica his connection to Adira. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as the twisted history unfolds. However, that’s not the only reveal as Jessica finally finds out the big secret about her: she is Death’s daughter!

With that feel-good moment, it becomes an after thought when The End crashes the party. What happens from here will shock everyone! Does Jessica survive this encounter? What factor does Adira play in this? And are readers ready for that final page?! You simply can’t pass on this issue!

Phillips continues the excellent work with this story. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Phillps throws everything out the window and hits you with something you weren’t expecting. This issue had many reveals, none arguably bigger than the reveal of Death being Jessica’s father. The fallout from that delivers on all points. This series never misses on perfect timing and placement for huge moments. The final parting points of this issue will have fans clamoring for the next issue. Jessica’s story is far from over and that’s a win for everyone.

Flaviano forges another visually impressive issue. The entire conversation with Death and Jessica easily connects with readers. The full page reveal drives home the importance of the moment. The battle with The End felt epic and it’s resolution couldn’t have been depicted better than what Flaviano presented. Even the subtle song lyrics for “My Father’s House” by Bruce Springsteen (which music has become a staple of this series) capped off a phenomenal read.

Overall, Grim #5 closes one chapter and will have fans begging for more after reading this issue. Phillips, Flaviano and company keep their hot streak rolling with another fantastic issue of one of the best series at the LCS! Highly recommended!

Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you thought of Grim #5! As Always, thanks for reading!

August 24, 2022

Ken M

Boom Studios, Comics, Horror, NCBD, Pop Culture

GRIM #4 (BOOM STUDIOS)

August 24, 2022

Ken M

Boom Studios, Comics, Horror, NCBD, Pop Culture

Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary comic book blog to the ODPH podcast! One of the best new series of 2022 continues its epic debut story arc with another must-read issue! Grim #4 by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano for Boom Studios has been an absolute smash since it debuted in the local comic shops. Last issue left readers with a final page that raised many questions. How does this latest issue fare? Let’s take a deeper dive and see, shall we?

Grim #4- On Sale August 24th
Creative: Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano
Credit: Boom Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The saga of Jessica Harrow continues to take some very exciting turns. After a routine job of guiding a dead soul into the afterlife as a reaper goes sideways, her (after)life has been turned upside down. After somehow crossing over into the land of the living, Jessica starts searching for answers. None of which her boss Adira is happy with. With Adira trying to stop her search for the truth, Jessica and her friends make an escape from The End, who is trying to silence this situation once and for all.

This issue jumps in (literally) with Jessica’s team making a leap from a tower to escape The End. During their free fall, The Scythe she wields opens up a portal. Where that portal leads: Las Vegas! Meanwhile, Adira assesses the situation and determines Jessica has Death’s Scythe! She sends The End to find her in Vegas. While in Vegas, Jessica somehow saves a drunken party-goer from being killed. However, that interaction turns out to be more than it seems. What happens that changes the course for Jessica? It’s a surprise that will have fans talking along with a final chapter of the issue that sets events in motion.

The story of Jessica Harrow keeps taking such great twists, all thanks to the incredible writing of Phillips. Jessica’s world is one that never feels predictable and always keeps things exciting. The mystery of who she is has been great to follow. This issue shines when she makes the save on the party-goer. Jessica shows why there’s something more to her with her heroic actions. This issue focused more on the journey’s of both Jessica and Adira, which is no a bad thing. It gave Jessica moments to dive into her own mystery. On the flip-side, Adira, while not featured heavily, made the most of the time on page. The pace kept things moving and will invest readers from the opening page to close. Excellent job.

This book has such a unique feel to it, all thanks to Flaviano & the rest of the art team. It always has panels that pop right off the page. None bigger this issue then when Jessica makes the save. This vision of Las Vegas also sands out thanks to the coloring work of Renzi. When there, it stands out with its use of pink/purple as a backdrop to the strip. Readers can’t help but be locked into its surroundings. As someone who’s visited Vegas many times, this felt like the energy you see when you’re in Sin City. The final panels put a solid exclamation point on this issue!

Overall, Grim #4 proves why this book is an absolute can’t miss. Phillips, Flaviano and company continue to make one of the coolest books on the market with the work being put in here. The story of Jessica Harrow keeps getting better and better so make sure you stop down to your LCS this week and get this book!

Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you thought of Grim #4. Thanks for reading!