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Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Code Red
For the past several months, Britney Waters has been operating under the codename "Agent Red" for a secret government agency called HiboCorp. The agency recruits those with very unique skill sets who can help protect Earth from dangerous supernatural threats both in and out of the public eye.
As a part of HiboCorp's specialized Realm Knights team, Agent Red helped protect the world many times... but with the return of one of its most powerful rulers, the Dark Horde has begun to rise again with a renewed determination. And Agent Red is about to face off against an evil more terrifying than she could have ever imagined.
As a part of HiboCorp's specialized Realm Knights team, Agent Red helped protect the world many times... but with the return of one of its most powerful rulers, the Dark Horde has begun to rise again with a renewed determination. And Agent Red is about to face off against an evil more terrifying than she could have ever imagined.
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2014
4 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Pat Shand
662 books91 followersPAT SHAND writes comic books (Robyn Hood, Family Pets, Charmed, Angel) and pop culture journalism (Sad Girls Guide, Blastoff Comics). He lives in San Diego with his girlfriend and their veritable zoo of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 28, 2016
This was an interesting graphic novel. I don't read much of comic book but I really want to change that. There are several I have, that I will read in the next couple of months. It's hard giving a rating but overall I enjoy these tale. The mixing between fairy tales, history (Robin Hood) and a para-military organization. The battles between the hot she-wolf red hood are quite interesting. Being a newbie to this graphic novelization and having not read any Grimm Fairy Tales stories before I didn't felt disconnected or at lost.
I understand that the female gender reading this kind of tales can be a bit offended. These girls are hot with big boobs, cleavage that makes you smile and see if there is a nipple slip, a small frame and always beautiful. And for a time there are two!
I understand that the female gender reading this kind of tales can be a bit offended. These girls are hot with big boobs, cleavage that makes you smile and see if there is a nipple slip, a small frame and always beautiful. And for a time there are two!
June 3, 2014
Interesting storyline but nothing great or at least quite as good as others in the story arc. Similarly the graphics were also not quite on par with others. Perhaps i just expected more/too much from this. Still curious to see where story going but dk hope it gets better.
Arc from NetGalley
Arc from NetGalley
November 10, 2018
Another prequel/setups/lead-in for the Age of Darkness arc. We see Red taking up the responsibility of protecting the Cyclop's Eye, a mysterious artifact that the Dark Horde apparently wants. There's some attempt at character-building and soul-searching for Britney, but they're not impactful, and mostly feels like an afterthought. As usual, you can't really place the chronology of these events. If you've been reading up on Age of Darkness, might as well just check this one out for completion's sake. Otherwise, you're not missing anything.
March 4, 2020
I am loving the “Age of Darkness” series. I have read all five volumes of the main story and some of the connecting trades. So, how does “Code Red” stand up to the rest? It is excellent!
This story explains what the Cyclops Eye is and how the Dark Horde got their evil hands and claws on it. Britney Waters aka Red Riding Hood is a cool character that can kick butt. Add in Robyn Hood to the mix and this book shines with action and fun story telling.
The art work is done by different artist and is solid throughout.
This story explains what the Cyclops Eye is and how the Dark Horde got their evil hands and claws on it. Britney Waters aka Red Riding Hood is a cool character that can kick butt. Add in Robyn Hood to the mix and this book shines with action and fun story telling.
The art work is done by different artist and is solid throughout.
January 23, 2017
Well, this is a book that exists. It really isn't my cup of tea. It wasn't bad, but it didn't grab me either. A perfectly "meh" trade of a modernized Little Red Riding Hood as she uses her werewolf powers and fighting skills to battle orcs for the U.S. government while dressed in the least practical uniform imaginable. Seriously, how does she move in that thing?
February 3, 2017
A really great idea gets a sub-par execution in actually what is one of the more ambitious Zenescope offerings. Lots of cool concepts get short shrift amid all the monster fighting and sexually exploitative artwork. For this company, it seems pretty good, but it never sank its claws into me deep enough for me to care. Ho Hum.
July 30, 2019
With all the superhero comics out there it's nice to have something different, that's where Zenescope come in with there modern day fairy tales.
This one features Robin Hood fighting orcs, it's pretty damn entertaining. There isn't much depth to this but that's kind of what draws me to it, it's just dumb fun.
This one features Robin Hood fighting orcs, it's pretty damn entertaining. There isn't much depth to this but that's kind of what draws me to it, it's just dumb fun.
September 6, 2016
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5
This one almost had me.
Little Red Riding Hood...er...Britney Waters, aka Agent Red, works for the government on special assignment with the Realm Knights. They managed to get their hands on a precious red stone (referred to as the Cyclops Eye), the properties of which they don't fully understand, other than that it potentially holds special powers. As Red heads off for some training excercises, the government facility comes under attack by a horde of ... creatures ... one of which has the ability to hop from body to body (refering to them as 'meat suits'). Red is charged with protecting the Cyclops Eye until back-up arrives. Back-up first comes by way of Red's friend Robyn Hood, and later by more military might. But when Red decides to take the action right at the horde, she gets more than she bargained for.
Oh...and Red is a werewolf who has the ability to control her changing and fierceness, though it takes much effort.
The first two books of the five comic book issues collected here were captivating. I was actually quite involved in this idea of Red Hood working for the government as a bit of a loose cannon agent. Her fierceness. Her abilities. Working for the government? Yeah...this seemed really interesting.
And then Red went off to fight the horde and she battled ogres and a were-panther, and things just went downhill for me. This delved in to a monster-vs-monster battle with expendable 'redshirt' military men to act as casualty-fodder. Once it became a monster-fest, I completely lost interest. Even Red Hood was no longer interesting. Ivory (the were-panther) spent what felt like an entire issue trying to bring out the werewolf in Red. Who cares?
Even the potentially interesting 'bad' character who has the ability to hop from body to body was easily captured, then easily dispatched (gone, but not forgotten). It simply became one battle where the big bad guy threatens to kill Red quickly or slowly, her choice, after another. Let's try for something a little more original, shall we?
I can see where this story is going, and I'm not sure how keen I am on finishing it. There was so much potential here for something unique.
The artwork. Sigh. It's the typical overly-exagerated female body art. It's not quite as provocative as some I've seen lately, but it is totally unrealistic. These women make Barbie™ look flat-chested. Oddly enough, it didn't bother me at all when I felt that there was a story to be drawn in to, but once the story seemed to fall away, the female bodies seemed to get more pronounced.
Clearly this 'style' (if I may use the term loosely) must sell books or it wouldn't continue. But as I've matured, so has what I look for in a book ... which is story.
Looking for a good book? Code Red Volume 1: Age of Darkness has a lot of potential but falls back on some traditional 'dark' monster themes instead.
This one almost had me.
Little Red Riding Hood...er...Britney Waters, aka Agent Red, works for the government on special assignment with the Realm Knights. They managed to get their hands on a precious red stone (referred to as the Cyclops Eye), the properties of which they don't fully understand, other than that it potentially holds special powers. As Red heads off for some training excercises, the government facility comes under attack by a horde of ... creatures ... one of which has the ability to hop from body to body (refering to them as 'meat suits'). Red is charged with protecting the Cyclops Eye until back-up arrives. Back-up first comes by way of Red's friend Robyn Hood, and later by more military might. But when Red decides to take the action right at the horde, she gets more than she bargained for.
Oh...and Red is a werewolf who has the ability to control her changing and fierceness, though it takes much effort.
The first two books of the five comic book issues collected here were captivating. I was actually quite involved in this idea of Red Hood working for the government as a bit of a loose cannon agent. Her fierceness. Her abilities. Working for the government? Yeah...this seemed really interesting.
And then Red went off to fight the horde and she battled ogres and a were-panther, and things just went downhill for me. This delved in to a monster-vs-monster battle with expendable 'redshirt' military men to act as casualty-fodder. Once it became a monster-fest, I completely lost interest. Even Red Hood was no longer interesting. Ivory (the were-panther) spent what felt like an entire issue trying to bring out the werewolf in Red. Who cares?
Even the potentially interesting 'bad' character who has the ability to hop from body to body was easily captured, then easily dispatched (gone, but not forgotten). It simply became one battle where the big bad guy threatens to kill Red quickly or slowly, her choice, after another. Let's try for something a little more original, shall we?
I can see where this story is going, and I'm not sure how keen I am on finishing it. There was so much potential here for something unique.
The artwork. Sigh. It's the typical overly-exagerated female body art. It's not quite as provocative as some I've seen lately, but it is totally unrealistic. These women make Barbie™ look flat-chested. Oddly enough, it didn't bother me at all when I felt that there was a story to be drawn in to, but once the story seemed to fall away, the female bodies seemed to get more pronounced.
Clearly this 'style' (if I may use the term loosely) must sell books or it wouldn't continue. But as I've matured, so has what I look for in a book ... which is story.
Looking for a good book? Code Red Volume 1: Age of Darkness has a lot of potential but falls back on some traditional 'dark' monster themes instead.
August 31, 2016
We're Ready for Your Closeup, Agent Red
This book collects issues 1 through 5 of Zenescope's "Code Red - Age of Darkness" series. The author, Pat Shand, was behind the well received "Realm Knights", which was sort of a crossover collection of Zenescope characters, and has also written in the "Robyn Hood" series. The character Red appeared in both of those and this new series seems to be her latest featured appearance.
"Red" is Grimm's version of Red Riding Hood, and is known as Britney Waters when not operating under the codename "Agent Red" as a member of the Realm Knights team. In this new series the Dark Horde is rising under the command of the Dark Queen, and it's up to Red to foil her plans. Unlike some Grimm issues, you don't need to be deeply grounded in the Grimm Universe in order to follow the action here. You'll pick up what you need on the fly, and any bits you miss don't really figure heavily into this story arc. There are cameos by some other regular characters, like Robyn Hood, mostly providing backup when the action gets heavy, but again there aren't a lot of unfamiliar characters.
I am partial to the Wonderland arm of the Grimm Universe, and to Sela Ward as a recurring character, though I also appreciate players like Red. But while I appreciate Red, the whole Dark Horde story arc here is a bit labored, and nothing very original is done with the characters. Setting the Horde's camp in Centralia, Pennsylvania was a nice touch, and some of the leading badguys are interesting, but Red, with her angst, overconfidence and self-doubt, can be a bit wearing as a heroine.
The drawing is fairly consistent from issue to issue, with only a few odd panels here and there, and the characters all have distinctive aspects so one can follow the action, as drawn, easily. Dialogue is O.K., but pretty predictable.
The upshot, at least for me, is that this is a perfectly fine addition to the Realm Knights galaxy, but not essential. Of course, if you are a fan of Red's, or of Robyn Hood, or if you follow every aspect of the Realm Knights, this is an absolute must have.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
This book collects issues 1 through 5 of Zenescope's "Code Red - Age of Darkness" series. The author, Pat Shand, was behind the well received "Realm Knights", which was sort of a crossover collection of Zenescope characters, and has also written in the "Robyn Hood" series. The character Red appeared in both of those and this new series seems to be her latest featured appearance.
"Red" is Grimm's version of Red Riding Hood, and is known as Britney Waters when not operating under the codename "Agent Red" as a member of the Realm Knights team. In this new series the Dark Horde is rising under the command of the Dark Queen, and it's up to Red to foil her plans. Unlike some Grimm issues, you don't need to be deeply grounded in the Grimm Universe in order to follow the action here. You'll pick up what you need on the fly, and any bits you miss don't really figure heavily into this story arc. There are cameos by some other regular characters, like Robyn Hood, mostly providing backup when the action gets heavy, but again there aren't a lot of unfamiliar characters.
I am partial to the Wonderland arm of the Grimm Universe, and to Sela Ward as a recurring character, though I also appreciate players like Red. But while I appreciate Red, the whole Dark Horde story arc here is a bit labored, and nothing very original is done with the characters. Setting the Horde's camp in Centralia, Pennsylvania was a nice touch, and some of the leading badguys are interesting, but Red, with her angst, overconfidence and self-doubt, can be a bit wearing as a heroine.
The drawing is fairly consistent from issue to issue, with only a few odd panels here and there, and the characters all have distinctive aspects so one can follow the action, as drawn, easily. Dialogue is O.K., but pretty predictable.
The upshot, at least for me, is that this is a perfectly fine addition to the Realm Knights galaxy, but not essential. Of course, if you are a fan of Red's, or of Robyn Hood, or if you follow every aspect of the Realm Knights, this is an absolute must have.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
June 13, 2014
Excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed this title. I have difficulty in placing these trades in exact chronological order but as far as I can tell this is a direct sequel to "Realm Knights" and though this story is not dependant on that one; it would probably enhance enjoyment to start there. This time only Agent Red Hood and Agent Robyn Hood are called to duty. Brief mention is made of some events from Realm Knights but only one time is it worth Zenescope's infamous use of the asterix reference to the previous volume. LOL. Pat Shand is becoming one of my favourite author from this publisher and knows how to tell a good story and keep the very complicated world-building and crossover characters in line, giving the reader brief hints to remember who is who and what is what. This story was highly entertaining, and while sexy and violent, was a little tamer than usual. The art was gorgeous, as it almost always is. This story really gets us into the beginnings of the plan of the Dark Horde's takeover and show their massive armies of orcs and ogres, all hinting at a little Lord of the Rings-ish feel to it. The book also ends with a sneak peak preview of the Robyn Hood one-shot comic which is a mission she is sent on within the pages of this volume. Fans of GFT will get what they usually expect and a little more in the story department. Great read!
February 11, 2017
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.
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.
July 12, 2014
I have enjoyed some of the Grimm Fairy Tales, but this one was a miss.
As many readers have noted, the illustration style for the Grimm tales is vastly unrealistic, following the pattern of many graphic representations of gender and blatantly sexually objectifying women.
Honestly, it's disgusting, but it's not really outside of the norm for comic books and it's something that readers often learn to deal with out of sheer necessity. This novel is particularly bad though, with proportions and outfits that are ridiculous and beyond belief.
Despite that, it wasn't really the illustrations that 'ruined' this one for me.
The plot was inconsistent, and the characterization was weak. There was plenty of action, but little to care about. Half the time I was bored, and the other half the time I was fighting to maintain the suspension of belief that was being battered by lack of verisimilitude and poorly constructed exposition.
As many readers have noted, the illustration style for the Grimm tales is vastly unrealistic, following the pattern of many graphic representations of gender and blatantly sexually objectifying women.
Honestly, it's disgusting, but it's not really outside of the norm for comic books and it's something that readers often learn to deal with out of sheer necessity. This novel is particularly bad though, with proportions and outfits that are ridiculous and beyond belief.
Despite that, it wasn't really the illustrations that 'ruined' this one for me.
The plot was inconsistent, and the characterization was weak. There was plenty of action, but little to care about. Half the time I was bored, and the other half the time I was fighting to maintain the suspension of belief that was being battered by lack of verisimilitude and poorly constructed exposition.
May 19, 2014
So bad. There is no question this was written and drawn by men. Not only did the women have bodies COMPLETELY out of proportion, but when they changed into were-things, even the were-things had tits. That's not how that works. Also, plot points were not consistent. Red can barely thing in English while running as a partial werewolf, but the were-leopard can speak without any problem? Nothing made sense. The part that angered me the most was the fact that these women kicked ass, but they were so underdeveloped, but so OVER "developed" that I wanted to scream bloody murder. This is simply gory porn. Not my thing. I'm sure people out there will like it, but not me.
May 20, 2014
Britney Waters aka. Agent Red is a werewolf that works for the government. In this novel, dark forces are planning to take over the world and in Volume 1 we get and intro into the action and a glimpse of who the major baddy is.
I liked the action, girl can kick ass. What I didn't like is that come on guys, no girl is gonna be out there fighting bad guys without a sports-bra; zip-up with nothing underneath would be beyond uncomfortable for fighting crime. That bit of oversight is what dropped this mystic, sci-fi, action packed novel down a star. I recommend reading, its a better version of the fairy tales we're familiar with.
Rating 4 out of 5
Read@Book
I liked the action, girl can kick ass. What I didn't like is that come on guys, no girl is gonna be out there fighting bad guys without a sports-bra; zip-up with nothing underneath would be beyond uncomfortable for fighting crime. That bit of oversight is what dropped this mystic, sci-fi, action packed novel down a star. I recommend reading, its a better version of the fairy tales we're familiar with.
Rating 4 out of 5
Read@Book
June 2, 2014
Agent Red (Britney, i.e. Red Riding Hood) gets herself involved in protecting a crystal eye of a cyclops. Of course she ends up in a Code Red situations which involve a team-up with Robyn Hood as well as facing the Dark Horde on a regular basis. Cleese comes through in the end, helping to save the day. Fun, quick developing story that did not give you a chance to catch your breath.
January 10, 2017
I originally skipped A LOT of the Age of Darkness arc ... and to tell the truth I can't remember why. Anyway - there is at least one trade before this one that I need to read to get the full backstory, but overall I really enjoyed this. I wish there was more of Agent Red - I enjoyed her character quite a bit!
September 28, 2015
For a secondary character in the Grimm Universe, this was a surprisingly meaty read. Lots of action and a even a cameo from Robyn Hood. It shows how the Dark Queen got one of the artifacts needed to bring all the realms together in the Age of Darkness story line.
April 13, 2016
Britney Waters(Red Riding Hood) is working for a secret government agency, Hibocorp, which deals with supernatural threats to national security. Along with Robyn Hood and the Realm Knights, she battles to defeat The Dark Horde. Plenty of action and interesting characters. Highly recommended.
January 29, 2017
This started out great, but just really didn't go anywhere.
April 27, 2018
The Grimm fairy tales series could have easily been swept aside as an imitator of the wildly popular 'Fables' series of graphic novels but despite using the same well source, they are very different beasts. The Grimm series shows no signs of running out of ideas and the offshoots such as this adventure, 'Code Red' can be read as a stand alone book, although readers of the Grimm fairy mythos will appreciate it possibly more than a novice reader. The art is lush in a Boris Valleja-esque fashion, as is expected of this run and the story engaging .
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews