Friday, February 10, 2017

Code Red, Volume 1 Review

Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Code Red, Volume 1. Patrick Shand and Vincenzo Riccardi. 2014. Zenescope. 160 pages.

Rating: 3/5

I like the blending of the fairy tale elements within a modern setting. The characters are contemporary individuals who have taken on the role of fairy tale heroes, known as Realm Knights. Agent Red is based on Little Red Riding Hood and works for the US government. I like the wolf based elements that surround her throughout the story.

But the story didn't thrill me. Agent Red is after a powerful artifact that could destroy the world, yet that part of the story held no interest for me. The villains and that part of the plot almost seemed like filler. The information about Red's past and the appearance of Robyn Hood are much more appealing. Their interactions and personal histories are the strongest parts of this book by far. That is where they shine because they are relatable and fantastic.

I'm a little split on the art. Most of it is decent, although there are some cheesecake moments, i.e. scantily dressed women in odd poses. In a book featuring strong female characters, it seems kind of backward to include art like that.

Agent Red piqued my interest in the Realm Knights stories. Given an opportunity, I would check out some of the earlier books in this setting. This book doesn't feel like the best place to jump into it. An action packed, fast paced book that represents the setting well.

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