GRIM #13 (BOOM! STUDIOS)

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

For this entry, we are checking out a series that transcends comics. Since its’ debut, GRIM from Boom! Studios has been more than just “reading a comic”. It literally has been an experience and vibe all its’ own. With unique visuals and an ever-engaging story, the life and times of a reaper and her friends have never been more featured in such a stand-out way. Now on its’ third arc, all bets are off on how Jessica Harrow gets out of the latest situation she finds herself in.

GRIM #13 by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano breaks away from the main story to focus on a dive into one character’s personal hell (literally). Let’s not waste another moment and jump into this incredible series, shall we?

GRIM #13 by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano (Boom! Studios)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Since readers have been introduced to Jessica Harrow, they have bared witness to danger following her at every moment. From an initial runaway soul transfer to finding out she is the daughter of Death, “It’s Complicated” is arguably the easiest way to describe her life. Along for the ride are two friends: Eddie and Marcel.

In the current arc, Jessica was betrayed by Annabel, a fellow reaper to Adira, the current reigning figure of the afterlife. Adira is also Jessica’s aunt. Annabel has had ulterior motives for what she does. Working a deal with Kelly (a devil), Annabel uses Marcel’s soul as payment. Feeling the pressure of her plans caving in, Adira tries pleading with Jessica to assist her in a surprise twist. However, Jessica has never lost sight that Marcel is gone because of her scheming.

This issue finally catches readers up to what happened to Marcel as Kelly sent him to hell (literally). The story begins with an “Act 1: Creation” introduction like a play. A narrator speaks in French to let the audience know the back story. Suddenly, the story lands in France 1898.

Marcel and his lover Henri are in the Cabaret watching the narrator. The couple’s playful banter camouflages the situation at hand. Henri pleads his case with Marcel until they wind up on stage in-front of the crowd. The scene turns quickly as Marcel is confronted with questions if he is an angel or devil? While trying to escape the mob, the breaking of Marcel has begun with haunting questions.

What level of Hell has Marcel wound up in? Readers quickly see that Marcel is being forced to relive his past mistakes along the way down. The mood is brooding and at times, Marcel becomes shaken at what he is witnessing. There are more acts to follow until the final destination is hit but is it truly the end? There is much to break down in this emotional issue.

GRIM #13 by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano (Boom! Studios) Cover: Zu Orzu

Phillips pens a tale of self-exploration, forcing Marcel into uncomfortable territory. Due to the tragic way things ended with his lover previously, the writing reflects that pain. The pacing takes Marcel’s decent into personal hell slowly enough that readers can feel the torment.

The conversations of Henri and Marcel vary from playful to anger with more in-between. Once the final act starts, the tension built unloads into a boiling point. Its’ resolution concludes the issue on an intriguing note as to where things go from here.

Flaviano and Renzi construct the visuals in another standout way. Marking the acts in Full Page Panels let readers know what level Marcus was descending into. The coloring inside the Cabaret gave a distinct feel as Henri and Marcel’s banter took the chapter into a noteworthy direction.

This is mixed in with strong images ranging from a frightening end to the middle act while raising the emotional tension between the two in the final act. The closing panel poses some questions but completes the torturous journey for now.

GRIM #13 by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano (Boom! Studios) Cover: Cully Hamner

FINAL POINT: 9 OUT OF 10

The descent into personal Hell makes a lasting impression in the pages of Boom! Studios’ hit series. Phillips presents the emotional turmoil of a tortured soul with the always impressive visuals of Flaviano, giving this series a feel and look like no one else. There is no excuse to pass on this issue on New Comic Book Day!

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know your thoughts on Grim #13! Thanks for reading!

GRIM #12 (BOOM! STUDIOS)

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

For this edition, the coolest book at the LCS has returned for another arc via BOOM! Studios. The story of Jessica Harrow came back with a big return last month. Now with things looking very dire, an unexpected offer was made that could literally change everything.

GRIM #12 from Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano ushers in the next chapter of the latest story. Let’s take a closer look and see what’s going on, shall we?

GRIM #12 from Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano (Credit: Boom! Studios)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *** PREVIOUS ISSUE REVIEW

Currently, life for Jessica Harrow isn’t exactly going all so well. After a series of events following the deadly battle between The End and Death, people stopped dying. This lead to the Reaper’s powers starting to fade.

With no Death, Adira (Current ruler of the Afterlife & Jessica’s aunt) has been trying to avoid an uprising from the reapers while eliminating the threat to her position as ruler. She made Jessica the prime target for blame. After an assistance from Annabel (a reaper with ambitions of her own), Adira has imprisoned Jessica and fellow reaper Eddie.

However, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” has become Adira’s motto now. Annabel is trying to unleash an evil as payment for betraying Jessica and using Jessica’s friend Marcel’s soul as payment to Kelly (a devil). With the pressure rising, Adira visits the pair in their prison and does the unthinkable. Adira is willing to give Jessica Death’s Scythe to handle this looming issue.

Meanwhile, Jessica’s human mother Lilah has escaped prison and is being courted by Life, who wants an amulet in Lilah’s possession. Offering the world hasn’t been enough so far, but he is determined to get it.

This issue starts with a flashback to the initial encounter between Death and Lilah. readers witness how Lilah’s past caught up with her and changed her future forever. Fast forward to the present and Life makes another play for Lilah’s amulet. Just when he thinks he’s got it locked up, Lilah turns the tables on him.

At this same moment, Adira pleads her case to Jessica. During the conversation, something happens with the sycthe that no one sees coming!

What happens now? Will Jessica take the deal? Can Lilah continue to deny Life? There is much more to process as the story heads into a new direction that will eave fans guessing at what is about to unfold!

GRIM #12 from Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano (Credit: Boom! Studios)

GRIM #12 from Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano (Credit: Boom! Studios)

BREAKDOWN: Phillips devotes a big portion into Lilah’s story. Seeing the initial encounter between her and Death starts putting together pieces to the larger puzzle at hand. The interactions with Life prove there is more going on with her than she is letting known. Since her introduction, she has been a character shrouded in mystery. With this issues structure, readers can start building a strong reaction to her.

Jessica’s current situation is another great swerve to the story at hand. The tension between her and arguably the book’s best character Adira continues to lock readers in. The endgame is very unclear with Adira and that’s nothing but win for fans. Seeing where Jessica ends up by this issue’s conclusion will keep things exciting until the next issue hits. One guarantee with this series is to always expect the unexpected.

Flaviano and Renzi make a big splash with the art for this issue. The moment that Lilah is shot, the perspective from seeing it through her eyes is a unique visual that readers will feel as the story plays out. The biggest image that will “WOW” readers is a moment with Jessica that gives more clarity about the destiny she is running from. It is a full page panel that screams in volumes! The final act is anothe rvisual hit. Where Jessica lands up and who/what she encounters makes a bold statement with an excellent backdrop. With this series, the art is a sure-fire win each time out.

GRIM #12 from Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano (Credit: Boom! Studios)

GRIM #12 from Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi & Tom Napolitano (Credit: Boom! Studios)

FINAL POINT: 8.5 OUT of 10

The latest installment of Comics’ favorite reaper dives head-first into the power struggle of the afterlife with a can’t miss issue. Phillips’ excellent writing is complemented by the always impressive art of Flaviano to showcase the dangers unfolding not just for Jessica, but her mother as well. There’s a reason why this is comics’ coolest series at the LCS on New Comic Book Day.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know your thoughts on Grim #12. Thanks for reading!

EIGHT LIMBS (HUMANOIDS)

Welcome to a brand new edition of Parlay points, the comic books review blog to the ODPH Podcast!

For this entry, a new project coming out from Humanoids that brings the world of Muay Thai to the forefront. if you are unfamiliar, Muay Thai is a style of Martial Arts focused on striking an opponent. It is also known as “The Art Of Eight Limbs” due to its’ focus of eight areas of physical combat. Eight Limbs (OGN) by Stephanie Phillips, Giulia Lalli, Lee Loughridge, and AndWorld Design showcases the art along with the strength of family growing through fighting. Let’s take a closer look and see what’s happening here.

Eight Limbs (OGN) by Stephanie Phillips, Giulia Lalli, Lee Loughridge, and AndWorld Design (Credit: Humanoids - cover by DAN PANOSIAN)

The story begins with two teenage girls fighting outside of a school. With a crowd around, the teachers run in to stop it. They take a girl named Mari into the principal’s office. Readers quickly see this isn’t a random fight. Mari has had three in the past month. With her caseworker, Ellie, pleading her case, Mari is now expelled from school and looking for a foster home.

Meanwhile, class is in session with a trainer showing off elements of the martial art: Muay Thai. Her name is Joanna Carr. Carr is a former strawweight (115lbs) champion who is now enjoying the family life with her husband and young daughter. After the class leaves, Carr takes time to hit some pads. All the while, she’s remembering her glory days of fighting. Readers see how the fighting spirit never goes away in Carr. In the sparring session, she questions if she made the right decision to retire.

When the family returns home, Ellie is there to ask a big favor. With all other options expired, Ellie asks if Joanna would house Mari for a few days. Without a second thought, Joanna accepts. Her husband isn’t too pleased with the idea, but Joanna pleads her case. Ellie helped Joanna out over the years and she’s now paying it forward.

When Joanna tries introducing Mari to the world of Muay Thai, it seems to become a bonding experience. Readers see that things seem to be shifting in a positive direction. It becomes short lived when a miscommunication sends Mari into a dangerous path.

What reaction does Joanna have to Mari’s new direction? How can Joanna save her? Readers see Joanna fight not only for Mari’s safety but her own struggles with the past. The final act builds off the momentum of Carr’s spirit refusing to quit. Action is never a shortage in the latter half of this story. “Eight Limbs” will leave readers with a greater understanding of a fighter’s heart and what’s really worth fighting for in the end.

Eight Limbs (OGN) by Stephanie Phillips, Giulia Lalli, Lee Loughridge, and AndWorld Design (Credit: Humanoids)

Eight Limbs (OGN) by Stephanie Phillips, Giulia Lalli, Lee Loughridge, and AndWorld Design (Credit: Humanoids)

For anyone who doesn’t fully grasp why fighting is an emotional artform, this book will change your min. Phillips opens up with relating her own personal connection to the art. It is a very emotional insight to a fighter’s mind. This translates into the story very well. Does a fighter ever stop fighting? That is the overall theme of Carr’s story. When the last bell has rung, can she let go of the past? The parallels with Carr and Mari reflect each other to forge why Carr is so protective of Mari. Seeing herself relived thru her is an element that readers can see develop.

However, the biggest point of the story has to be the reason behind the fight. Phillips breaks down the complexity of the art and walks readers thru when it’s used. The “Behind The scenes” flashbacks of Carr’s fights drives home what readers can sense without stepping in the ring. As an avid MMA Fan, the dissection into the fighter elevates this story from being just another redemption tale. Events move briskly to get to the main event It doesn’t hamper the story and offers a solid build for the final confrontation. The ending plays into what Carr’s true motivations are and leaves readers with greater knowledge into the art.

Lalli and Loughridge create a lasting impression of Carr’s art within these pages. The breakdown of Carr’s initial teaching hits with a great seven panel page. Another key page is the full page breakdown of the Wai Kru by Carr. Both make the case for what is the reason behind the strike. The flashback sequences show off the highs and lows of the fight. The emotions pouring out of those panels are inescapable. Seeing Mari’s hesitation to Joanna’s welcoming nature balances out their overall beginnings. There is no shortage of great action panels as Mari and Joanna face their competition. They pay great respect into featuring what is involved in the combat exchanges. The art team closes the tale out with a lasting final image to explain the real reason on what is worth fighting for.

Eight Limbs (OGN) by Stephanie Phillips, Giulia Lalli, Lee Loughridge, and AndWorld Design (Credit: Humanoids)

Eight Limbs (OGN) by Stephanie Phillips, Giulia Lalli, Lee Loughridge, and AndWorld Design (Credit: Humanoids)

FINAL POINT: 8 OUT OF 10

The world of Muay Thai is brought center stage in a story that reminds readers what’s truly worth fighting for. With a 1-2 combo of excellent writing from Phillips and impressive visuals from Lalli, “eight Limbs” doesn’t need a judge’s decision for being declared a winner. Keep an eye out for it on New Comic Book Day.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Eight Limbs. Thanks for reading.