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Return To Wonderland #1-6
Grimm Fairy Tales: Return to Wonderland
Alice is no longer the little girl you once knew. Years have passed since she took the trip down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. A grown woman now with a husband and kids of her own, Alice has everything a person could want. But all is not right with Alice. Not right at all. Now Alice's daughter, Carroll, will be forced to take a journey not for the faint of heart. A journey into a realm of malice and madness! A place where the story of Alice was only the beginning. You've never seen Wonderland quite like this! This hardcover collects the entire Return to Wonderland series.
186 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
27 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Raven Gregory
571 books88 followersExecutive Editor/Staff Writer of Zenescope Entertainment
Raven Gregory was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1979, the youngest of three brothers.
Discovered in 2000 by then Vice President of Publishing at Top Cow Productions, Renae Geerlings, his first professionally published work was the critically acclaimed creator owned independent comic series, The Gift, in 2003. The hit series would later be published by Image Comics as the writers' popularity continued to grow.
Years later, the young writer would come to attention of Zenescope Editor in Chief and co-founder, Ralph Tedesco, who recruited the writer to the newly created position of Executive Editor and Staff Writer of Zenescope Entertainment. Gregory would go on to co-create and write the best selling Wonderland Trilogy series with fellow co-creators Joe Brusha (President/CCO), and Ralph Tedesco as well as numerous other Grimm Fairy Tales spin offs, Crossovers and Creator Owned titles.
Known for his incredibly dark, yet realistic stories of horror, the writer's use of relatable personal tragedy, and powerful themes have made the writer a fan favorite creator across the nation.
After suffering the loss of a close friend to a car accident in June 2012, and the death of his ex-wife and mother of his children, Kourtney Keiser, to a hit and run accident one year later in 2013 Raven began work on his most personal story to date entitled NO TOMORROW. The story is currently set to debut August 28th, 2013.
Upon the debut issue's release it will be the 200th published story by the writer.
Raven lives in Arizona with his four children, a Pitbull named Wacko, and a Chichuana named Zombie.
Best selling fan picks: The Wonderland trilogy, FLY, The Theater, Irresistible, and the Dream Eater Saga
Raven Gregory was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1979, the youngest of three brothers.
Discovered in 2000 by then Vice President of Publishing at Top Cow Productions, Renae Geerlings, his first professionally published work was the critically acclaimed creator owned independent comic series, The Gift, in 2003. The hit series would later be published by Image Comics as the writers' popularity continued to grow.
Years later, the young writer would come to attention of Zenescope Editor in Chief and co-founder, Ralph Tedesco, who recruited the writer to the newly created position of Executive Editor and Staff Writer of Zenescope Entertainment. Gregory would go on to co-create and write the best selling Wonderland Trilogy series with fellow co-creators Joe Brusha (President/CCO), and Ralph Tedesco as well as numerous other Grimm Fairy Tales spin offs, Crossovers and Creator Owned titles.
Known for his incredibly dark, yet realistic stories of horror, the writer's use of relatable personal tragedy, and powerful themes have made the writer a fan favorite creator across the nation.
After suffering the loss of a close friend to a car accident in June 2012, and the death of his ex-wife and mother of his children, Kourtney Keiser, to a hit and run accident one year later in 2013 Raven began work on his most personal story to date entitled NO TOMORROW. The story is currently set to debut August 28th, 2013.
Upon the debut issue's release it will be the 200th published story by the writer.
Raven lives in Arizona with his four children, a Pitbull named Wacko, and a Chichuana named Zombie.
Best selling fan picks: The Wonderland trilogy, FLY, The Theater, Irresistible, and the Dream Eater Saga
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 5, 2012
If you've ever read Alice in Wonderland and thought, "You know what this story really needs? More tits. And viscera. Tits and viscera for everyone!" then a) you are probably a 12 year old boy who butchers his neighbor's pets in his spare time and b) this collection is for you.
This is some dark stuff and, folks, I certainly don't mind dark stuff, but this is gratuitous with no cohesive storyline and a complete and utter lack of imagination (I say this because to take Alice in Wonderland and sex it up doesn't require any great creative power--just an unhealthy preoccupation with people's "naughty bits"). Basically, Alice's teenage daughter, Calie goes to Wonderland. Calie encounters exactly all of the same experiences her mother did, only they're all portrayed with a blatant lasciviousness: Calie's built like an inflatable doll and every scene is sexually charged by playing to as many fetishes as possible. And, as if that wasn't enough, it's as though the author is trying to cram as much shockfest violence, gore, and sexuality into the pages as possible. The narrative is so busy trying to shock us that the vignettes with the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts don't serve a real purpose--they simply provide the next platform from which to blow our minds with how daring and edgy the story is. Yeah, well, we've got another name for being sexually daring and edgy without context and storyline: porn. Because that's really what this is, in a subdued form. Whether we're talking about the violence or the sex, it's playing to a certain type of unhealthy libido in a manner meant to arouse.
Back in the real world, Alice has attempted suicide multiple times and lives in a catatonic state. In the meantime, her husband is having an affair and not just any old affair. Oh, no. We wouldn't want to miss out on an opportunity to bring out the whips and chains, would we? So he's having an affair steeped in sadomasochism. And then there's Calie's brother who is exhibiting all the classic signs of a blossoming young serial killer. It's dysfunctional with a capital D, which seems a little overboard when coupled with the level of macabre that is present in Wonderland, too. For either Calie's reality or her Wonderland experience to be dark and twisted would be fine, but the two together is too much.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder and at Shelf Inflicted
This is some dark stuff and, folks, I certainly don't mind dark stuff, but this is gratuitous with no cohesive storyline and a complete and utter lack of imagination (I say this because to take Alice in Wonderland and sex it up doesn't require any great creative power--just an unhealthy preoccupation with people's "naughty bits"). Basically, Alice's teenage daughter, Calie goes to Wonderland. Calie encounters exactly all of the same experiences her mother did, only they're all portrayed with a blatant lasciviousness: Calie's built like an inflatable doll and every scene is sexually charged by playing to as many fetishes as possible. And, as if that wasn't enough, it's as though the author is trying to cram as much shockfest violence, gore, and sexuality into the pages as possible. The narrative is so busy trying to shock us that the vignettes with the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts don't serve a real purpose--they simply provide the next platform from which to blow our minds with how daring and edgy the story is. Yeah, well, we've got another name for being sexually daring and edgy without context and storyline: porn. Because that's really what this is, in a subdued form. Whether we're talking about the violence or the sex, it's playing to a certain type of unhealthy libido in a manner meant to arouse.
Back in the real world, Alice has attempted suicide multiple times and lives in a catatonic state. In the meantime, her husband is having an affair and not just any old affair. Oh, no. We wouldn't want to miss out on an opportunity to bring out the whips and chains, would we? So he's having an affair steeped in sadomasochism. And then there's Calie's brother who is exhibiting all the classic signs of a blossoming young serial killer. It's dysfunctional with a capital D, which seems a little overboard when coupled with the level of macabre that is present in Wonderland, too. For either Calie's reality or her Wonderland experience to be dark and twisted would be fine, but the two together is too much.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder and at Shelf Inflicted
August 28, 2021
Wonderland as the magical breeding ground for psychoses and nightmare. This collected miniseries continues Grimm Fairy Tales' tradition of equal parts gore, skin, and psychological suspense, we are introduced to Callie (an anagram of "alice l.") and her brother, whose mother Alice is gradually losing touch with reality. Her family and the readers slowly (or quickly) discover that something is horrifically wrong in their household, and Callie is sucked into Wonderland.
The usual complaints with Zenescope comics -- what are the chances of a tall, slim, stacked, depressed slacker? Getting only part of her clothes torn off? Or that Wonderland is lush, and not a wasteland after decades of mad occupants?
The usual complaints with Zenescope comics -- what are the chances of a tall, slim, stacked, depressed slacker? Getting only part of her clothes torn off? Or that Wonderland is lush, and not a wasteland after decades of mad occupants?
January 23, 2012
First of all, I am a huge fan of twisted fairy tales. I am one of the few who look back fondly on movies such as Return to Oz and Video Games like American McGee's Alice (a game I can only describe as 'delightfully demented'), and who looks forward to modern day retellings like the SyFy movie Tin Man. So when I saw this series on sale on the Comixology iPad app, I pounced on it. Unfortunately, I wish I hadn't. They may as well have called this Return to Wonderland: Blood and Guts, Boobs and Butts Edition. There's no glimmer of happiness here, not even a remote hope for some. There's not even any whimsy or fantastical elements remaining in Wonderland, It's all violence and horror. And while I have to admit that the art is pretty good, I'd rather forget most of it. The worst part is there really isn't much of a story here, only enough of one to justify the next graphic depiction of violence. In fact it wasn't even until the very last issue (#6) that the story was even marginally interesting. Issue #6 earned this series a second star, otherwise I would have left it at 1 star. And sadly, since it was on sale, I didn't just buy Return to Wonderland. I also bought Beyond Wonderland, Escape from Wonderland, and Tales from Wonderland. At least issue #6 gave me a little hope of those having a bit more of a story and a little less perversion and disgust, but I'm not getting that hope up too high.
June 25, 2016
Spctypdked returns!!!
This is so difficult to rate. On one hand, it's way better than I was expecting. This is the story of not only Alice's child who ends up in a demented Wonderland, but also Alice's family in the real world, where Alice is suicidal, her son is at risk of being a serial killer, and her husband is cheating on her. It's decently interesting.
On the other hand, those covers are softcore. The women in this series aren't always dressed in ways that make sense (welcome to comics), but those covers take it to a stupid level. If they're selling sex with those covers (and they are), the content doesn't deliver. Instead you get lots of gore. It just seems an odd choice of cover art.
Anywho, I can't imagine any of my GR friends want to read this, but it's better than their Alice in Wonderland series that I read previously, so that's something.
This is so difficult to rate. On one hand, it's way better than I was expecting. This is the story of not only Alice's child who ends up in a demented Wonderland, but also Alice's family in the real world, where Alice is suicidal, her son is at risk of being a serial killer, and her husband is cheating on her. It's decently interesting.
On the other hand, those covers are softcore. The women in this series aren't always dressed in ways that make sense (welcome to comics), but those covers take it to a stupid level. If they're selling sex with those covers (and they are), the content doesn't deliver. Instead you get lots of gore. It just seems an odd choice of cover art.
Anywho, I can't imagine any of my GR friends want to read this, but it's better than their Alice in Wonderland series that I read previously, so that's something.
June 1, 2012
I have to say that I really and truly enjoy Zenescope's series Grimm Fairy Tales and and all the various spinoffs (Neverland, Piper, etc). Unless something major happens I will continue to follow this series. My one and only gripe with it is the unnecessary and gratuitous sexuality and objectification of women within the pages. It truly has no place within the story. Now I am by no means a prude but they don't even try to give it purpose. They are no better than the creators over at the bigger publishers (Marvel, DC). This is why this series will never reach the greatness that is Bill Willingham's Fables. Nothing is done without purpose. And he knows that his story is so good that he doesn't need clichéd tropes like massive mammaries and barely there clothing.
July 7, 2015
Krvavo i mracno. Svidja mi se. Odlican crossover story!
April 25, 2011
This review first appeared on my blog.
Beyond Wonderland Cover - NOT an accurate indication of what's within (as you'll soon see)
Last weekend Danielle and I went to Borders so Danielle could check out the Buffy graphic novels and I could pick up Watchmen. While in the graphic novel section I started looking around to see what new books were out in this space and I came across Beyond Wonderland and Return to Wonderland, two comics in Zenoscope‘s Grimm Fairy Tales line. From the busty cover on Beyond Wonderland, I thought it might be like Clamp’s Miyuki-chan in Wonderland.
Beyond Wonderland Cover - NOT an accurate indication of what's within (as you'll soon see)
But reading the back cover, I was intrigued. This story sounded a lot more like American McGee’s Alice. I was very curious to see where the writers would go with the Alice story. Tim Burton had already made his movie considerably darker than the Disney version we were all calibrated against. It was certainly a neat idea – what if an older Alice returned to Wonderland. But it was still kept from being too insane for kids, albeit older kids this time around. What if Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland had been rated R? You might have ended up with something like Grimm Fairy Tales’ Alice stories. So I delved into the books. And let me just say that from here on out THERE BE SPOILERS!
September 30, 2017
hat mir außerordentlich gut gefallen
March 7, 2010
This dark and rather horrific graphic novel posits the notion that Alice Liddle (sic) returned from Wonderland to marry and lead a normal life, but gradually slipped into madness. The story centers on her teenage daughter, Carroll "Calie" Liddle, and her own trip into a dark and hazardous version of Wonderland. An interesting take on the story, though, honestly, the videogame American McGee's Alice deals with some of these issues in a more original way. The emphasis on images of scantily-clad women suggests that I am perhaps not its target audience.
September 9, 2018
One word- Fan Service. Very little plot, lots of just running into one situation after another. Lots of panty shots. Boobs everywhere. Not bad, but really not that great either. Entertainment for like an hour, tops.
Check it out from the library, your money will thank you!
Check it out from the library, your money will thank you!
September 28, 2023
4.22/5.0 Stars
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: R
Creative Team:
Story: Raven Gregory, Ralph Tedesco, and Joe Tyler
Writer: Raven Gregory
Artist: Al Rio, Rich Bank, and Daniel Leister
Colors: Thomas Mason and Nei Ruffino
Letters: Artmonkeys and Alphabet Studios
Cover: Talent Caldwell and Thomas Mason
Editor: Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco
Publisher: Zenescope
Ratings:
Story: 4.5 Stars
Artwork: 4.6 Stars
Cover Artwork: 3.8 Stars
Dialogue: 4.1 Stars
Mechanics: 4.4 Stars
Editing: 3.9 Stars
About the Book:
We all know the tale of how Alice fell through the rabbit hole and found herself in Wonderland. She had many adventures there before returning to our realm, Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Return to Wonderland tells us what happened after Alice’s return home.
Alice grew up, got married, and had children. The madness of Wonderland never let go of Alice. She attempted to kill herself; but was found by her daughter, Carroll (aka Calie), before it was too late. In the aftermath Alice is a shell of herself. She finds herself having weekly appointments with a therapist, who suggests to her husband that she needs a pet.
The husband obliges. He gets Alice a white rabbit that she is instantly attached to. Everywhere Alice goes she has the rabbit with her. One day the rabbit gets loose. Alice is frantic. In an attempt to calm her mother down Calie looks for the rabbit. During her search she falls through a hole and finds herself in Wonderland.
Reader’s Notes:
I saw Zenescope titles on the shelves at my local comic book store for years before I read my first one. With the way women were portrayed on some of the covers I wasn’t interested. I thought I was looking at titles that were thinly veiled “special romance books”. It appeared that they were targeting fat and skinny guys that couldn’t get a date.
I had a chance encounter with some of the people at Zenescope’s booth at Emerald City Comic-Con in 2019. The Zenescope team had models dressed as Princess Leia there. They were doing photo ops with fans. My buddy Gandalf didn’t think I would have the stones to get my picture taken with the girls and post it on social media where my wife could see it.
I did. My wife laughed when I told her what Gandalf said. My friend Trails saw the picture. He showed it to his wife and asked why he couldn't do something like that. Trails found himself in the doghouse for a while for that comment.
At the table by the girls one of the creators was handing out free signed copies of Grimm Fairy Tales: Genesis - Heroes Reborn #1. I took a copy and headed on my way to try to get a book signed by a creator that was never at their table when I went by. I never got that book signed. Fun fact, I had lunch at the table next to that creator on the first day of the con. They were with a friend and I didn’t want to interrupt them.
When the pandemic came along in 2020 everyone suddenly had a lot of free time on their hands. The people at Comixology were offering free digital copies of the first issues of a lot of different titles. One of those titles was Grimm Fairy Tales #1. I read it and loved it. I started to look for Zenescope titles in online auctions to get more content from this universe.
One of the first Zenescope books I bought was the first issue of “Se7en”, by Raven Gregory. It wasn’t part of the Grimm Universe; but I liked the movie and wanted to compare the two. The difference between Gregory’s work and the movie was the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing a bullet. I was thoroughly impressed with how well he developed a character with no speaking parts that, being generous, had five minutes of on screen time.
I started following Mr. Gregory on social media hoping for hints about other work he had done because I wasn’t smart enough to just use a search engine. When he mentioned having written stories about Wonderland I went shopping. The individual books all had collector prices. A lot of the TPBs were out of my price range as well. I had to hope to find these titles in my buck box treasures.
When Mr. Gregory announced that he was working on a new title involving Wonderland, I had more of a sense of urgency; but prices were still too high. Then he announced that Zenescope was having a sale on their website with a lot of $5.00 TPBs, including Wonderland books. My patience was rewarded! I ordered 10 different books to get up to speed with Wonderland before the new title hits the shelves.
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Return to Wonderland is the beginning of this saga. Mr. Gregory continued right where he left off with regards to character development. Carroll, which is a terrific homage to “Through the Looking Glass” writer Lewis Carroll, is very relatable.
Because of Alice’s mental health issues she was forced to grow up too soon. Between school and her home life she feels trapped. Carroll is intelligent and has an edginess about her. That makes her dangerous when provoked.
From the word go Mr. Gregory blazes a trail that makes it very clear that this is not the Wonderland story that the mouse gave us. We immediately see the effects of mental illness. I’m okay with that. This country treats mental health issues like an unspeakable disease. Making it clear what can happen if warning signs go unchecked is just the slap in the face some people need.
We get to see many facets of mental illness, as well as how it feels to experience them, in this story. We see how in some instances people bounce between the world they are physically in and the world their mind has placed them. We see what happens to some people on medications. They are never happy. They are never sad. They are simply existing.
I enjoyed how the sequence of events when Carroll arrived in Wonderland paralleled the story we are all so familiar with. Right up to the point where it doesn’t. Then we get a roller coaster of adventures and surprises that make us want more.
I loved the origin story for the Mad Hatter in this universe. We see the potential early on. Then, like in “The Killing Joke”, it only takes one bad day for madness to take hold. I’m looking forward to the next time we see him.
From what I can tell, this universe’s view of Wonderland is more in line with American McGee’s Alice. There are dark undertones everywhere. There are differences. Most recognizably, some characters have changed sides.
On a grander scale we learn that Wonderland is one of the many names that the Abyss goes by. Some of the worst of the worst have hailed from there. Hitler once called Wonderland home. More like him are trying to cross over to our world. This is promising for future installments.
I liked the classic look of this cover. It is timeless. The playing card style allows us to get a hint of what’s to come. We also get to see a new character, which creates intrigue.
As I have read more and more titles from Zenescope there is one thing that I have come to accept as fact: no matter which artist/artists are working on a title you can expect greatness in the interior pages. The work in this book is no exception. From start to finish we get vivid lines and rich colors that completely immerse the reader into the story.
We get a version of the Cheshire Cat that is jaw dropping. The carpenter is formidable. The caterpillar looks like he’ll help you or kill you, depending on his mood. I loved the page when Carroll demonstrated the appropriate response to an attempted sexual assault.
Full disclosure, this book is not for the faint hearted. There are adult situations that may take you by surprise. There is adult language. In short, this is not a children’s book. In fairness, it isn’t marketed as one.
As a geek on a budget I strongly recommend reading Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Return to Wonderland. Coupled with great artwork, this is a story that will completely change your perspective of Wonderland. If you’re able to take advantage of the sale Zenescope has on their website you are getting a bargain. Get your copy before they sell out the remaining stock!
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: R
Creative Team:
Story: Raven Gregory, Ralph Tedesco, and Joe Tyler
Writer: Raven Gregory
Artist: Al Rio, Rich Bank, and Daniel Leister
Colors: Thomas Mason and Nei Ruffino
Letters: Artmonkeys and Alphabet Studios
Cover: Talent Caldwell and Thomas Mason
Editor: Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco
Publisher: Zenescope
Ratings:
Story: 4.5 Stars
Artwork: 4.6 Stars
Cover Artwork: 3.8 Stars
Dialogue: 4.1 Stars
Mechanics: 4.4 Stars
Editing: 3.9 Stars
About the Book:
We all know the tale of how Alice fell through the rabbit hole and found herself in Wonderland. She had many adventures there before returning to our realm, Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Return to Wonderland tells us what happened after Alice’s return home.
Alice grew up, got married, and had children. The madness of Wonderland never let go of Alice. She attempted to kill herself; but was found by her daughter, Carroll (aka Calie), before it was too late. In the aftermath Alice is a shell of herself. She finds herself having weekly appointments with a therapist, who suggests to her husband that she needs a pet.
The husband obliges. He gets Alice a white rabbit that she is instantly attached to. Everywhere Alice goes she has the rabbit with her. One day the rabbit gets loose. Alice is frantic. In an attempt to calm her mother down Calie looks for the rabbit. During her search she falls through a hole and finds herself in Wonderland.
Reader’s Notes:
I saw Zenescope titles on the shelves at my local comic book store for years before I read my first one. With the way women were portrayed on some of the covers I wasn’t interested. I thought I was looking at titles that were thinly veiled “special romance books”. It appeared that they were targeting fat and skinny guys that couldn’t get a date.
I had a chance encounter with some of the people at Zenescope’s booth at Emerald City Comic-Con in 2019. The Zenescope team had models dressed as Princess Leia there. They were doing photo ops with fans. My buddy Gandalf didn’t think I would have the stones to get my picture taken with the girls and post it on social media where my wife could see it.
I did. My wife laughed when I told her what Gandalf said. My friend Trails saw the picture. He showed it to his wife and asked why he couldn't do something like that. Trails found himself in the doghouse for a while for that comment.
At the table by the girls one of the creators was handing out free signed copies of Grimm Fairy Tales: Genesis - Heroes Reborn #1. I took a copy and headed on my way to try to get a book signed by a creator that was never at their table when I went by. I never got that book signed. Fun fact, I had lunch at the table next to that creator on the first day of the con. They were with a friend and I didn’t want to interrupt them.
When the pandemic came along in 2020 everyone suddenly had a lot of free time on their hands. The people at Comixology were offering free digital copies of the first issues of a lot of different titles. One of those titles was Grimm Fairy Tales #1. I read it and loved it. I started to look for Zenescope titles in online auctions to get more content from this universe.
One of the first Zenescope books I bought was the first issue of “Se7en”, by Raven Gregory. It wasn’t part of the Grimm Universe; but I liked the movie and wanted to compare the two. The difference between Gregory’s work and the movie was the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing a bullet. I was thoroughly impressed with how well he developed a character with no speaking parts that, being generous, had five minutes of on screen time.
I started following Mr. Gregory on social media hoping for hints about other work he had done because I wasn’t smart enough to just use a search engine. When he mentioned having written stories about Wonderland I went shopping. The individual books all had collector prices. A lot of the TPBs were out of my price range as well. I had to hope to find these titles in my buck box treasures.
When Mr. Gregory announced that he was working on a new title involving Wonderland, I had more of a sense of urgency; but prices were still too high. Then he announced that Zenescope was having a sale on their website with a lot of $5.00 TPBs, including Wonderland books. My patience was rewarded! I ordered 10 different books to get up to speed with Wonderland before the new title hits the shelves.
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Return to Wonderland is the beginning of this saga. Mr. Gregory continued right where he left off with regards to character development. Carroll, which is a terrific homage to “Through the Looking Glass” writer Lewis Carroll, is very relatable.
Because of Alice’s mental health issues she was forced to grow up too soon. Between school and her home life she feels trapped. Carroll is intelligent and has an edginess about her. That makes her dangerous when provoked.
From the word go Mr. Gregory blazes a trail that makes it very clear that this is not the Wonderland story that the mouse gave us. We immediately see the effects of mental illness. I’m okay with that. This country treats mental health issues like an unspeakable disease. Making it clear what can happen if warning signs go unchecked is just the slap in the face some people need.
We get to see many facets of mental illness, as well as how it feels to experience them, in this story. We see how in some instances people bounce between the world they are physically in and the world their mind has placed them. We see what happens to some people on medications. They are never happy. They are never sad. They are simply existing.
I enjoyed how the sequence of events when Carroll arrived in Wonderland paralleled the story we are all so familiar with. Right up to the point where it doesn’t. Then we get a roller coaster of adventures and surprises that make us want more.
I loved the origin story for the Mad Hatter in this universe. We see the potential early on. Then, like in “The Killing Joke”, it only takes one bad day for madness to take hold. I’m looking forward to the next time we see him.
From what I can tell, this universe’s view of Wonderland is more in line with American McGee’s Alice. There are dark undertones everywhere. There are differences. Most recognizably, some characters have changed sides.
On a grander scale we learn that Wonderland is one of the many names that the Abyss goes by. Some of the worst of the worst have hailed from there. Hitler once called Wonderland home. More like him are trying to cross over to our world. This is promising for future installments.
I liked the classic look of this cover. It is timeless. The playing card style allows us to get a hint of what’s to come. We also get to see a new character, which creates intrigue.
As I have read more and more titles from Zenescope there is one thing that I have come to accept as fact: no matter which artist/artists are working on a title you can expect greatness in the interior pages. The work in this book is no exception. From start to finish we get vivid lines and rich colors that completely immerse the reader into the story.
We get a version of the Cheshire Cat that is jaw dropping. The carpenter is formidable. The caterpillar looks like he’ll help you or kill you, depending on his mood. I loved the page when Carroll demonstrated the appropriate response to an attempted sexual assault.
Full disclosure, this book is not for the faint hearted. There are adult situations that may take you by surprise. There is adult language. In short, this is not a children’s book. In fairness, it isn’t marketed as one.
As a geek on a budget I strongly recommend reading Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Return to Wonderland. Coupled with great artwork, this is a story that will completely change your perspective of Wonderland. If you’re able to take advantage of the sale Zenescope has on their website you are getting a bargain. Get your copy before they sell out the remaining stock!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2019
Peu familière des comics, je suis néanmoins amatrice du format graphique tout comme du thème abordé à savoir une réécriture du conte de Lewis Carroll. C'est donc assez confiante et curieuse que j'ai débuté cette lecture.
Il s'agit d'une suite aux aventures de la fillette au pays des merveilles. Alice, devenue adulte, a eu deux enfants, mais sombré peu à peu dans la folie. Sa fille Caroll Ann (surnommée) Callie va engager son propre voyage au pays des merveilles et revivre en version assez horrifique les aventures passées de sa mère (le charpentier meurtrier, le chapelier lubrique, le chat de Cheshire monstrueux), l'univers est truffée de scènes macabres et pour le moins sanglantes.
Les secrets de la famille Liddle sont bien sombres tout comme le lien du monde réel avec celui des merveilles et une malédiction à base de rite sacrificiel est mis au jour au fur et à mesure que les personnages sombrent eux un à un dans la folie suintant de ce monde cauchemardesque.
Les illustrations sont très fines et les références pertinentes. L'intrigue et le choix de perspective sont très originaux. J'ai apprécié cette lecture même si je ne suis pas une fana d'horreur et encore moins de gore surtout en graphique. Je serais curieuse de lire la suite des aventures de la fille d'Alice et de percer le mystère de ce lien originel avec le Pays des Merveilles.
A lire pour les amateurs de l'univers et du genre horrifique gore, à réserver aux estomacs bien accrochés cependant.
Il s'agit d'une suite aux aventures de la fillette au pays des merveilles. Alice, devenue adulte, a eu deux enfants, mais sombré peu à peu dans la folie. Sa fille Caroll Ann (surnommée) Callie va engager son propre voyage au pays des merveilles et revivre en version assez horrifique les aventures passées de sa mère (le charpentier meurtrier, le chapelier lubrique, le chat de Cheshire monstrueux), l'univers est truffée de scènes macabres et pour le moins sanglantes.
Les secrets de la famille Liddle sont bien sombres tout comme le lien du monde réel avec celui des merveilles et une malédiction à base de rite sacrificiel est mis au jour au fur et à mesure que les personnages sombrent eux un à un dans la folie suintant de ce monde cauchemardesque.
Les illustrations sont très fines et les références pertinentes. L'intrigue et le choix de perspective sont très originaux. J'ai apprécié cette lecture même si je ne suis pas une fana d'horreur et encore moins de gore surtout en graphique. Je serais curieuse de lire la suite des aventures de la fille d'Alice et de percer le mystère de ce lien originel avec le Pays des Merveilles.
A lire pour les amateurs de l'univers et du genre horrifique gore, à réserver aux estomacs bien accrochés cependant.
August 31, 2008
Wow!!! The gang at Zenescope has done it again. This book is maddening!
If you are looking for a severely twisted little horror story with great artwork and a storyline that makes you start wondering, "What the hell is real?" Then this book is for you.
From start to finish I enjoyed this book. The covers of scantily hot women are great. The story is great. The artwork in the book is great and is pleasantly packed full of Easter eggs, so don't just rush through each panel. See if you can find the cleverly placed HP Lovecraft references and other images and sayings.
Without giving away too much of this book, I can say that it is lightly based (but much darker) on Lewis Carroll's writings of Alice and Wonderland. Wonderland is a strange and dark place were all the madness lives and it is up to the characters in this book to make sure that all the madness stays in Wonderland and doesn't get into the real world... but then again... What is real?
If you are looking for a severely twisted little horror story with great artwork and a storyline that makes you start wondering, "What the hell is real?" Then this book is for you.
From start to finish I enjoyed this book. The covers of scantily hot women are great. The story is great. The artwork in the book is great and is pleasantly packed full of Easter eggs, so don't just rush through each panel. See if you can find the cleverly placed HP Lovecraft references and other images and sayings.
Without giving away too much of this book, I can say that it is lightly based (but much darker) on Lewis Carroll's writings of Alice and Wonderland. Wonderland is a strange and dark place were all the madness lives and it is up to the characters in this book to make sure that all the madness stays in Wonderland and doesn't get into the real world... but then again... What is real?
October 29, 2024
This miniseries introduces us (again, really) to the Liddle family: Alice, Callie, Johnny and ... ah, heck what's the father's name again?
The events from Jonathan Carrol's Alice in Wonderland were true, but more dark, like Through the Glass Darkly. Alice was sent by her father (parents, but her father was the one who SENT her...) into Wonderland as a sacrifice to keep the beast that is the Cheshire Cat caged in the other realm. But someone/something came back. It looked like Alice, but it wasn't. Now there are children -- Callie and Johnny. And things are really warming up in the cat/beast's quest to break into the "real" world.
The cover for the hardback collection here is by Randy Queen of Darkchylde fame and this "limited" hardback cover has a special article at the back discussing some of the allusions Raven and crew dropped into the story and art.
The events from Jonathan Carrol's Alice in Wonderland were true, but more dark, like Through the Glass Darkly. Alice was sent by her father (parents, but her father was the one who SENT her...) into Wonderland as a sacrifice to keep the beast that is the Cheshire Cat caged in the other realm. But someone/something came back. It looked like Alice, but it wasn't. Now there are children -- Callie and Johnny. And things are really warming up in the cat/beast's quest to break into the "real" world.
The cover for the hardback collection here is by Randy Queen of Darkchylde fame and this "limited" hardback cover has a special article at the back discussing some of the allusions Raven and crew dropped into the story and art.
September 27, 2014
Love this book, great sinister twist on something originally deemed so innocent. Trying to find the rest of the trilogy in my budget, in love!!
March 13, 2018
Return To Wonderland
Issue 0
PLOT: This is an introduction to a new set of stories called Return To Wonderland. We now see Alice, older. She's married, has two kids, and has left Wonderland alone. But it appears Wonderland hasn't left her alone. Shockingly we see there's a blade next to the bathtub and the water is red. Alice's young daughter rushes in just in time to save her. The family wonders why this has happened. After a brief stay, the Doctor gives Alice a clean bill of health and sends her home, but says maybe a pet will help. The pet in turn is … of course a rabbit. We get a little of Alice's diary and her fear of mirrors, her love of her grandfather, her birthday at the fair, and some of his advice. We also get some of Callie's blog. As a nice contrast and introduction to these two characters. Them we get short intros of the Caterpillar, The Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. Then we get a preview of Issue 15 the next in the ongoing series.
MY THOUGHTS: I liked this introduction and I'm ready for a switch from the outgoing series. I love reading and watching the countless stories and games dedicated to Alice and Wonderland turning dark.
RATING: 8 Short but it has potential to lead to a strong story!!!
ISSUE 1
PLOT: Alice is back from the hospital and tends to zone out for brief periods holding her rabbit. Callie and her father are freaks and take advantage of Alice's mental state to sneak around under her nose. In a dream (I think not sure which part of this was real and which wasn't) Alice and Brandon get high (surrounded by mushrooms) and she hears a voice calling her through a door where there's a party going on. Her mother is there and her little brother (who seems to be a cannibal because we see blood all around him and someone slumped over). Callie wakes with a start. Her Dad tells her that he and her brother are going to a game later so shell have to watch her mother. At school, Callie thinks about how she wishes her life was different and she could just leave. (Be careful what you wish for). She comes home and her mother is freaking out. The rabbit is gone. Callie finds him, falls through a door in the wall, and ends up in Wonderland.
MY THOUGHTS: There wasn't that much to this issue. It just felt like setting pieces in place. Poor Alice. Her husband is a cheater and her daughter is a drug addict.
RATING: 5
ISSUE 2
PLOT: Just as in the same way with her mother, Callie finds herself in a hall. She spots the white rabbit but he has no time for her disbelief that he can talk so he rushes off leaving Callie alone. If she could just get through the door. She spots a drink on a table (the table narrating her thoughts) tells her to drink it. She does and shrinks but then she forgets the key on top. Eating the cake she grows and grows and GROWS. Through her tears, the hall fills up and she shrinks again and drifts through the keyhole. She finds herself in a deserted garden and comes upon a shop. The shop belongs to the demented carpenter (from the Walrus and the Carpenter) whose out to kill anyone whose even thinking of stealing his oysters again. Callie barely makes it out of there with her life before she finds herself hanging from one of the deadliest looking trees I've ever seen over a cliff. She falls back into the water, makes her way to shore, and comes to what looks like a forest. She comes to a mysterious girl in a hood that tells her to find the rabbit. He's the key. And try not to get caught by the Cheshire Cat. The mysterious lady with the hood tells an unknown thing that she won't let it do to Callie what it did to her mother and her. At home Alice see's a bloody mess and starts to look for Callie. Callie's father comes home and Alice lies and says Callie has stepped out and is with friend's.
MY THOUGHTS: I think the biggest question is who is the lady in the hood? Who is she talking to? Is it the Cheshire Cat? And what did he do to her and Alice? It was fun to see the demented Carpenter. And (gasps) has he skinned The Tweedles alive? NIICE! It also gives us how Alice's condition started. I'm thinking that being in the water jogged her memories of when she almost drowns in a sea of her own tears. Nice touch. These writers are on their game.
RATING: 7
ISSUE 3
PLOT: Johnny closes up the hole requested by his father but sees (well I'm not sure what. It looks like the rabbit's fur). Callie's in class daydreaming while the teacher drone's on about psychology babble. So has she escaped? No! She's still in Wonderland and her teacher has transformed into the Caterpillar. After "getting to know each other" the Caterpillar tells her about the magic powers of the mushroom. She takes a bite and shoots straight up. Shortly attacked by a mob of birds thinking she's a serpent. After a scare going through the Dark forest, she comes upon a house and inside is The Hatter (looking totally normal). He invites her to sit with him and have tea. (Bad idea). Upon getting woozy and passing out she wakes up to find herself on a table naked with fruit covering her bits and pieces. The Hatter on top of her offering to "warm her up" (and rape her). Before that can happen Callie reaches out, grabs an object, and smashes it over the Hatter's old wrinkled up head. And then promptly starts to beat him to death. The night is just getting started thanks to those horror movies Callie and her Dad watched when she was younger. She finds a dress (Alice's?) and leaves him within an inch of his life to die painfully and leaves the door open.
MY THOUGHTS: Like brother like sister. Callie sure isn't the lay down and take it (damsel in distress) type. GIRL POWER! As I was reading this I thought how did the Hatter go from being the blond, handsome, hot, guy to an old, gray, wrinkled, predator? What kind of magic is this? With the others up until now what you see is what you get.
RATING: 7 I liked that Callie didn't take this attempted rape lying down. That girl FOUGHT and beat the ish out of the Hatter!!!
(ISSUE 4)
PLOT: Callie comes upon a group of cards that are arguing amongst themselves about correcting their mistake of painting white roses red and it looks like their doing it with blood. They do mention a him. They overhear Callie and threaten to kill her before possibly raping her. "I don't care as long as all her parts work". The Evil Queen comes up and jabs her arrow through one's chest. The card's try to blame Alice because she goes berserk and starts chocking one out. But the Queen isn't fooled because she sees one of them's hands and it's .. You guessed it. Off with his head! Meanwhile back home, Callie's father is starting to get worried. Her brother Johnny offers to find her. The Dad's side piece boldly shows her hot tail up and they engage in a little quickie. Upon leaving Johnny sees them, sneaks into her car, and snaps her neck. The father is filled with guilt. While Alice lies in bed quietly. She heard (saw?) the whole thing. Back in Wonderland during the trial, Callie is found guilty. The Queen of Hearts tells her she reminds her of her mother But unlike her, she won't get away. Enter the bloodthirsty Cheshire Cat to the rescue.
MY THOUGHTS: This issue makes SO much sense now. When I read it the first time it was in the middle of the Dream Eater Saga. I didn't know what the heck was going on. Being psycho seems to run in the Liddle family because Johnny seems like a serial killer. I'm guessing that's his secret. I'm mad at Mr. Liddle for not being able to keep his (you know what) in his pants while his wife is suffering a psychotic breakdown. And you know what if Alice or Johnny snap and finish him off I wouldn't be surprised. The illustration of the scepter going through the card's chest was particularly brutal and gruesome. And I don't really feel all that bad for the side piece for having the nerve to show up at this man's house. I think she got what was coming to her as bad as that sounds. Some stuff you just don't do.
RATING 10
ISSUE 5
PLOT: In a montage, Johnny is seen dragging the body of his father's side piece and stuffing it into a hole in the floor. Alice gets up and looks outside at the sky (the top of the house). We're given some background that Johnny used to be raped by his uncle but doesn't remember this. And one day the Uncle just disappeared. No one knew why. (Umm Okaaay. Has anyone checked under the house Johnny grew up in?) And now he takes solace in killing (nailed it). And he's been communicating with a talking dead rabbit. It gets confusing right about here a) The Cheshire Cat doesn't seem big on small talk. But what he is big on is dessert (aka Callie). But Cheshire's gonna go hungry today because blood and fur go flying. Out of all that spits out the mysterious lady. Who turns out to be Alice (didn't see that one coming). After a tearful reunion, Alice tells Callie that she needs to look out for her brother and she's found a way for her to go home. But she won't be coming with her. She pushes her through (a pool), and Callie is again back in the real world with no memories of where she was or how she got there. B) While this is going on there's a part that talks about two sisters. Apparently, the Queen of Hearts has a sister and is out for the Cheshire's head for what it did to her sister. Back home while Mr. Liddle frantically tries to get the police to give him answers. Callie awakens from a dream of her mother holding a bloody rabbit only to know (and find) that she's hung herself. We get a little of Johnny's blog that talks about his break up with his girlfriend and what happened to Callie and his mom.
MY THOUGHTS: WOW! Did NOT see that ending coming! This issue felt too busy. Like it was trying to mash too many things into one issue. We had what happened to Johnny, the black cat, the sisters reveal, Alice's suicide, Callie's (dreams? Time in Wonderland). I had to read it twice and separate a couple of parts before I could make sense of them. I felt horrible for Johnny. I felt horrible for Alice. And Callie. This is one MESSED UP, family.
RATING: 8
ISSUE 6 RETURN TO WONDERLAND
PLOT: Callie (and the rest of her family) attend her mother's funeral. As the tears fall, she hears the whispers around her about what happened. Johnny and Callie both see the dead rabbit at the grave site. Later Callie demands that the rabbit leave her brother alone but notices a mirror. Weeks past and Callie is visiting the Gravesite again. While noticing a cat (Cheshire?) she gets a surprise. It's her Grandfather. (He brought the cat for her). All the while he's checking up on her the dead rabbit is talking to her though thoughts. But weirdly Grandpa sees him too. Time for a talk. Gramps, you got some 'splaining to do!!! In short a sacrifice is made to keep a beast satisfied. Apparently, all the bad people in the world were influenced by the evils of Wonderland. A brave man wanted the sacrifices to stop by taking out the ones who served the ancient one. It didn't work but it became a tradition for out of one family there would be a keeper to fight to keep Wonderland's virus from the spreading to the rest of the world. So Callie's grand-dad wants her to go back and be the sacrifice or else Wonderland's evil would seep through. (I take it he wasn't rooting for her to escape). Callie walks in to see Johnny crying with his hands bloody. Following a stream down the hall, she finds her Dad... DEAD! Johnny finished him off after reading a note his mom wrote confessing she knew thus being the reason she killed herself. Johnny confesses he likes making things hurt. While they're reminiscing about memories of their mother Alice Callie pushes Johnny through the mirror (that’s now rippling). Then she smashes the mirror. The Granddad clears up the investigations on the father's death and he leaves her some money. So she takes Brandon and leaves town. The two head for New York. Carrol thinks of her mother's suicide as a sacrifice for her. She starts to feel queasy, pulls over to a store, goes to the bathroom, takes a pregnancy test and discovers she is indeed expecting. She wonders will she be able to do what her mother did but decides for the time being not to tell Brandon (whose already suggested marriage).
MY THOUGHTS: GREAT ISSUE! In the back of my mind, I always knew the Father wasn't gonna make it. HE HAD TO GO! And I kind of wish it would have been the Grandfather instead. Granted I didn't like either of them. The Grandfather acted like he was in cohorts with the dead cat. So I take it he's the keeper? Was he the one that sent his own daughter there to die? I do have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Johnny. Although I think he'll fit right in (in) Wonderland. I can't think of a more perfect place for him. I was just a little surprised Callie pushed him through there because she seemed to have moments when she did care about her little brother. Again I would have pushed the Grandfather through the mirror. How did she know tho to take a pregnancy test just because she felt queasy? That would have been the last conclusion I would have jumped too. I would have thought first it might have been something I ate. But I'm looking forward to reading the following books to see where the story is headed. I think Johnny would be the perfect recruit for Belinda.
RATING: 10
Issue 0
PLOT: This is an introduction to a new set of stories called Return To Wonderland. We now see Alice, older. She's married, has two kids, and has left Wonderland alone. But it appears Wonderland hasn't left her alone. Shockingly we see there's a blade next to the bathtub and the water is red. Alice's young daughter rushes in just in time to save her. The family wonders why this has happened. After a brief stay, the Doctor gives Alice a clean bill of health and sends her home, but says maybe a pet will help. The pet in turn is … of course a rabbit. We get a little of Alice's diary and her fear of mirrors, her love of her grandfather, her birthday at the fair, and some of his advice. We also get some of Callie's blog. As a nice contrast and introduction to these two characters. Them we get short intros of the Caterpillar, The Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. Then we get a preview of Issue 15 the next in the ongoing series.
MY THOUGHTS: I liked this introduction and I'm ready for a switch from the outgoing series. I love reading and watching the countless stories and games dedicated to Alice and Wonderland turning dark.
RATING: 8 Short but it has potential to lead to a strong story!!!
ISSUE 1
PLOT: Alice is back from the hospital and tends to zone out for brief periods holding her rabbit. Callie and her father are freaks and take advantage of Alice's mental state to sneak around under her nose. In a dream (I think not sure which part of this was real and which wasn't) Alice and Brandon get high (surrounded by mushrooms) and she hears a voice calling her through a door where there's a party going on. Her mother is there and her little brother (who seems to be a cannibal because we see blood all around him and someone slumped over). Callie wakes with a start. Her Dad tells her that he and her brother are going to a game later so shell have to watch her mother. At school, Callie thinks about how she wishes her life was different and she could just leave. (Be careful what you wish for). She comes home and her mother is freaking out. The rabbit is gone. Callie finds him, falls through a door in the wall, and ends up in Wonderland.
MY THOUGHTS: There wasn't that much to this issue. It just felt like setting pieces in place. Poor Alice. Her husband is a cheater and her daughter is a drug addict.
RATING: 5
ISSUE 2
PLOT: Just as in the same way with her mother, Callie finds herself in a hall. She spots the white rabbit but he has no time for her disbelief that he can talk so he rushes off leaving Callie alone. If she could just get through the door. She spots a drink on a table (the table narrating her thoughts) tells her to drink it. She does and shrinks but then she forgets the key on top. Eating the cake she grows and grows and GROWS. Through her tears, the hall fills up and she shrinks again and drifts through the keyhole. She finds herself in a deserted garden and comes upon a shop. The shop belongs to the demented carpenter (from the Walrus and the Carpenter) whose out to kill anyone whose even thinking of stealing his oysters again. Callie barely makes it out of there with her life before she finds herself hanging from one of the deadliest looking trees I've ever seen over a cliff. She falls back into the water, makes her way to shore, and comes to what looks like a forest. She comes to a mysterious girl in a hood that tells her to find the rabbit. He's the key. And try not to get caught by the Cheshire Cat. The mysterious lady with the hood tells an unknown thing that she won't let it do to Callie what it did to her mother and her. At home Alice see's a bloody mess and starts to look for Callie. Callie's father comes home and Alice lies and says Callie has stepped out and is with friend's.
MY THOUGHTS: I think the biggest question is who is the lady in the hood? Who is she talking to? Is it the Cheshire Cat? And what did he do to her and Alice? It was fun to see the demented Carpenter. And (gasps) has he skinned The Tweedles alive? NIICE! It also gives us how Alice's condition started. I'm thinking that being in the water jogged her memories of when she almost drowns in a sea of her own tears. Nice touch. These writers are on their game.
RATING: 7
ISSUE 3
PLOT: Johnny closes up the hole requested by his father but sees (well I'm not sure what. It looks like the rabbit's fur). Callie's in class daydreaming while the teacher drone's on about psychology babble. So has she escaped? No! She's still in Wonderland and her teacher has transformed into the Caterpillar. After "getting to know each other" the Caterpillar tells her about the magic powers of the mushroom. She takes a bite and shoots straight up. Shortly attacked by a mob of birds thinking she's a serpent. After a scare going through the Dark forest, she comes upon a house and inside is The Hatter (looking totally normal). He invites her to sit with him and have tea. (Bad idea). Upon getting woozy and passing out she wakes up to find herself on a table naked with fruit covering her bits and pieces. The Hatter on top of her offering to "warm her up" (and rape her). Before that can happen Callie reaches out, grabs an object, and smashes it over the Hatter's old wrinkled up head. And then promptly starts to beat him to death. The night is just getting started thanks to those horror movies Callie and her Dad watched when she was younger. She finds a dress (Alice's?) and leaves him within an inch of his life to die painfully and leaves the door open.
MY THOUGHTS: Like brother like sister. Callie sure isn't the lay down and take it (damsel in distress) type. GIRL POWER! As I was reading this I thought how did the Hatter go from being the blond, handsome, hot, guy to an old, gray, wrinkled, predator? What kind of magic is this? With the others up until now what you see is what you get.
RATING: 7 I liked that Callie didn't take this attempted rape lying down. That girl FOUGHT and beat the ish out of the Hatter!!!
(ISSUE 4)
PLOT: Callie comes upon a group of cards that are arguing amongst themselves about correcting their mistake of painting white roses red and it looks like their doing it with blood. They do mention a him. They overhear Callie and threaten to kill her before possibly raping her. "I don't care as long as all her parts work". The Evil Queen comes up and jabs her arrow through one's chest. The card's try to blame Alice because she goes berserk and starts chocking one out. But the Queen isn't fooled because she sees one of them's hands and it's .. You guessed it. Off with his head! Meanwhile back home, Callie's father is starting to get worried. Her brother Johnny offers to find her. The Dad's side piece boldly shows her hot tail up and they engage in a little quickie. Upon leaving Johnny sees them, sneaks into her car, and snaps her neck. The father is filled with guilt. While Alice lies in bed quietly. She heard (saw?) the whole thing. Back in Wonderland during the trial, Callie is found guilty. The Queen of Hearts tells her she reminds her of her mother But unlike her, she won't get away. Enter the bloodthirsty Cheshire Cat to the rescue.
MY THOUGHTS: This issue makes SO much sense now. When I read it the first time it was in the middle of the Dream Eater Saga. I didn't know what the heck was going on. Being psycho seems to run in the Liddle family because Johnny seems like a serial killer. I'm guessing that's his secret. I'm mad at Mr. Liddle for not being able to keep his (you know what) in his pants while his wife is suffering a psychotic breakdown. And you know what if Alice or Johnny snap and finish him off I wouldn't be surprised. The illustration of the scepter going through the card's chest was particularly brutal and gruesome. And I don't really feel all that bad for the side piece for having the nerve to show up at this man's house. I think she got what was coming to her as bad as that sounds. Some stuff you just don't do.
RATING 10
ISSUE 5
PLOT: In a montage, Johnny is seen dragging the body of his father's side piece and stuffing it into a hole in the floor. Alice gets up and looks outside at the sky (the top of the house). We're given some background that Johnny used to be raped by his uncle but doesn't remember this. And one day the Uncle just disappeared. No one knew why. (Umm Okaaay. Has anyone checked under the house Johnny grew up in?) And now he takes solace in killing (nailed it). And he's been communicating with a talking dead rabbit. It gets confusing right about here a) The Cheshire Cat doesn't seem big on small talk. But what he is big on is dessert (aka Callie). But Cheshire's gonna go hungry today because blood and fur go flying. Out of all that spits out the mysterious lady. Who turns out to be Alice (didn't see that one coming). After a tearful reunion, Alice tells Callie that she needs to look out for her brother and she's found a way for her to go home. But she won't be coming with her. She pushes her through (a pool), and Callie is again back in the real world with no memories of where she was or how she got there. B) While this is going on there's a part that talks about two sisters. Apparently, the Queen of Hearts has a sister and is out for the Cheshire's head for what it did to her sister. Back home while Mr. Liddle frantically tries to get the police to give him answers. Callie awakens from a dream of her mother holding a bloody rabbit only to know (and find) that she's hung herself. We get a little of Johnny's blog that talks about his break up with his girlfriend and what happened to Callie and his mom.
MY THOUGHTS: WOW! Did NOT see that ending coming! This issue felt too busy. Like it was trying to mash too many things into one issue. We had what happened to Johnny, the black cat, the sisters reveal, Alice's suicide, Callie's (dreams? Time in Wonderland). I had to read it twice and separate a couple of parts before I could make sense of them. I felt horrible for Johnny. I felt horrible for Alice. And Callie. This is one MESSED UP, family.
RATING: 8
ISSUE 6 RETURN TO WONDERLAND
PLOT: Callie (and the rest of her family) attend her mother's funeral. As the tears fall, she hears the whispers around her about what happened. Johnny and Callie both see the dead rabbit at the grave site. Later Callie demands that the rabbit leave her brother alone but notices a mirror. Weeks past and Callie is visiting the Gravesite again. While noticing a cat (Cheshire?) she gets a surprise. It's her Grandfather. (He brought the cat for her). All the while he's checking up on her the dead rabbit is talking to her though thoughts. But weirdly Grandpa sees him too. Time for a talk. Gramps, you got some 'splaining to do!!! In short a sacrifice is made to keep a beast satisfied. Apparently, all the bad people in the world were influenced by the evils of Wonderland. A brave man wanted the sacrifices to stop by taking out the ones who served the ancient one. It didn't work but it became a tradition for out of one family there would be a keeper to fight to keep Wonderland's virus from the spreading to the rest of the world. So Callie's grand-dad wants her to go back and be the sacrifice or else Wonderland's evil would seep through. (I take it he wasn't rooting for her to escape). Callie walks in to see Johnny crying with his hands bloody. Following a stream down the hall, she finds her Dad... DEAD! Johnny finished him off after reading a note his mom wrote confessing she knew thus being the reason she killed herself. Johnny confesses he likes making things hurt. While they're reminiscing about memories of their mother Alice Callie pushes Johnny through the mirror (that’s now rippling). Then she smashes the mirror. The Granddad clears up the investigations on the father's death and he leaves her some money. So she takes Brandon and leaves town. The two head for New York. Carrol thinks of her mother's suicide as a sacrifice for her. She starts to feel queasy, pulls over to a store, goes to the bathroom, takes a pregnancy test and discovers she is indeed expecting. She wonders will she be able to do what her mother did but decides for the time being not to tell Brandon (whose already suggested marriage).
MY THOUGHTS: GREAT ISSUE! In the back of my mind, I always knew the Father wasn't gonna make it. HE HAD TO GO! And I kind of wish it would have been the Grandfather instead. Granted I didn't like either of them. The Grandfather acted like he was in cohorts with the dead cat. So I take it he's the keeper? Was he the one that sent his own daughter there to die? I do have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Johnny. Although I think he'll fit right in (in) Wonderland. I can't think of a more perfect place for him. I was just a little surprised Callie pushed him through there because she seemed to have moments when she did care about her little brother. Again I would have pushed the Grandfather through the mirror. How did she know tho to take a pregnancy test just because she felt queasy? That would have been the last conclusion I would have jumped too. I would have thought first it might have been something I ate. But I'm looking forward to reading the following books to see where the story is headed. I think Johnny would be the perfect recruit for Belinda.
RATING: 10
January 6, 2021
Tegu on siis jah “Alice Imedemaal” töötluse, vähe teistsuguse versiooniga kui algmaterjal on. Kuigi vähemalt konkreetses vihikus on kogu aeg alustalasid tajuda, seega ilma originaali lugemata ei ole mõtet Raven Gregory kätetööd ette võtta.
Alice Liddell on kunagi käinud Imedemaal, peale seda on ka kasvanud suureks, tüdrukust on saanud ema ja abikaasa. Nüüd on tal omakorda teismeline tütar, Calie. Alice ise on muutunud järjest katatoonilisemaks, veedab aega valget küülikut silitades ja tühja pilguga kaugusesse vaadates. Vahetevahel proovib end ära tappa, aga see ei taha ka alati õnnestuda. No mis elu see ka on. Calie vend on psühhopaat, kellest hakab mõrvar sirguma. Alice abikaasal on kõrvalsuhe - ning see pole ka mingi lihtne ja sirgjooneline pano, oh ei! Ikka krehvtiste sadomasonüansidega. No nii katkine ja veider kamp kui üldse olla saab.
Calie üritab kuidagi selle sees hakkama saada, oma osa eskapismis on gootilikus meigis ja tumedates riietes. Aga kus siis “Alice Imedemaal” mängu tuleb? Noh, nagu Goodreadsis ühes arvustuse on hästi üteldud: “Kas olete mõtelnud, et “Alice Imedemaal” oleks veel parem kui seal oleks rohkem sisikonda ja rümbarebu?”
No vot, palun väga. Calie lähebki millalgi sama teed nagu ema, kukub keldris veidrasse auku ja maandub erakordselt kummalises maailmas. Ma nüüd ei mäleta enam originaali sõna-sõnalt aga märtsijänes, seen, mille näksimisel muutub perspektiiv, Kübarsepp, Irvik-Kiisu, Ärtuemand - olid vist nii nende nimed? On nad kõik igaljuhul olemas ka Raven Gregory loodud maailmas, ainult, et Calie ise on liibuvas, algul enamvähem mõistlikus riietuses tüdruk, kelle ilusat aluspesu vahel näeb ning kelle hästi arenenud keha ka vaka all ei hoita. Koomiksi kulgedes veetakse tüdrukut paksust ja vedelast läbi, ka riietus muutub vastavalt olukorrale. Ning veri, palju verd, soolikaid ja rümpa. Panen mõne pildi juurde illustreerimaks stiili ja hoogu.
Üldiselt päris kobe oli. Eks mingil määra on muidugi ka läbivat erootilist nooti, aga ta pole ka selline padufetšistlik seksukas või midagi sarnast. Pigem on kõik üle võlli keeratud seiklus, mis läbi mitme aja ja koha loksub, Kübarsepp tahab Caliet ära vägistada, Ärtuemanda juures läheb jõhkraks verepulmaks ning üldse see koomiks kohati tõesti nõretab verest. Ma täitsa “viieliseks” seda raamatut ei peaks, aga korralik “neli” kindlasti. Samas pole ka kindel, kas plaanin seda edasi lugeda kuna ega ta nüüd nii hea ka pole. St kuidas ma nüüd ütlengi - ta on mõnusalt tempokas udjamine, kohati ägedalt veider ning autorid ei hoia tagasi ka enda mõne salafantaasia väljendamisel. Samas kokkuvõtvalt nagu väga rohkem ei tahagi hetkel sinna maailma sukelduda, lugu saab ka mingis mõttes praegu lõpetatud, ei jää ka tunnet, et ohmisnüüdkülledasisaab?! Panen igaljuhul hea meelega raamaturiiulisse tagasi, pikas plaanis võiks millalgi uuesti sisse piiluda küll. Ega kui oleks käeulatuses järgesid, loeks millalgi ikka. Kui aga järjed on sellised ~16€ tükist, siis… aega on selle kiire asjaga.
Alice Liddell on kunagi käinud Imedemaal, peale seda on ka kasvanud suureks, tüdrukust on saanud ema ja abikaasa. Nüüd on tal omakorda teismeline tütar, Calie. Alice ise on muutunud järjest katatoonilisemaks, veedab aega valget küülikut silitades ja tühja pilguga kaugusesse vaadates. Vahetevahel proovib end ära tappa, aga see ei taha ka alati õnnestuda. No mis elu see ka on. Calie vend on psühhopaat, kellest hakab mõrvar sirguma. Alice abikaasal on kõrvalsuhe - ning see pole ka mingi lihtne ja sirgjooneline pano, oh ei! Ikka krehvtiste sadomasonüansidega. No nii katkine ja veider kamp kui üldse olla saab.
Calie üritab kuidagi selle sees hakkama saada, oma osa eskapismis on gootilikus meigis ja tumedates riietes. Aga kus siis “Alice Imedemaal” mängu tuleb? Noh, nagu Goodreadsis ühes arvustuse on hästi üteldud: “Kas olete mõtelnud, et “Alice Imedemaal” oleks veel parem kui seal oleks rohkem sisikonda ja rümbarebu?”
No vot, palun väga. Calie lähebki millalgi sama teed nagu ema, kukub keldris veidrasse auku ja maandub erakordselt kummalises maailmas. Ma nüüd ei mäleta enam originaali sõna-sõnalt aga märtsijänes, seen, mille näksimisel muutub perspektiiv, Kübarsepp, Irvik-Kiisu, Ärtuemand - olid vist nii nende nimed? On nad kõik igaljuhul olemas ka Raven Gregory loodud maailmas, ainult, et Calie ise on liibuvas, algul enamvähem mõistlikus riietuses tüdruk, kelle ilusat aluspesu vahel näeb ning kelle hästi arenenud keha ka vaka all ei hoita. Koomiksi kulgedes veetakse tüdrukut paksust ja vedelast läbi, ka riietus muutub vastavalt olukorrale. Ning veri, palju verd, soolikaid ja rümpa. Panen mõne pildi juurde illustreerimaks stiili ja hoogu.
Üldiselt päris kobe oli. Eks mingil määra on muidugi ka läbivat erootilist nooti, aga ta pole ka selline padufetšistlik seksukas või midagi sarnast. Pigem on kõik üle võlli keeratud seiklus, mis läbi mitme aja ja koha loksub, Kübarsepp tahab Caliet ära vägistada, Ärtuemanda juures läheb jõhkraks verepulmaks ning üldse see koomiks kohati tõesti nõretab verest. Ma täitsa “viieliseks” seda raamatut ei peaks, aga korralik “neli” kindlasti. Samas pole ka kindel, kas plaanin seda edasi lugeda kuna ega ta nüüd nii hea ka pole. St kuidas ma nüüd ütlengi - ta on mõnusalt tempokas udjamine, kohati ägedalt veider ning autorid ei hoia tagasi ka enda mõne salafantaasia väljendamisel. Samas kokkuvõtvalt nagu väga rohkem ei tahagi hetkel sinna maailma sukelduda, lugu saab ka mingis mõttes praegu lõpetatud, ei jää ka tunnet, et ohmisnüüdkülledasisaab?! Panen igaljuhul hea meelega raamaturiiulisse tagasi, pikas plaanis võiks millalgi uuesti sisse piiluda küll. Ega kui oleks käeulatuses järgesid, loeks millalgi ikka. Kui aga järjed on sellised ~16€ tükist, siis… aega on selle kiire asjaga.
September 4, 2020
This is a real curate's egg of a graphic novel. It's a compilation of a 6 issue series.
The good - The art is exquisite. The very start and very end are passable. (Books 1 & 6)
The bad - The middle is just a mess. It's just one set piece of blood, gore and minor titilation via glimpses of gusset and whale tail... and naked girls covered in food. It's just awful. I'm no prude as my extensive porn collection will attest, but porn doesn't try to be something else. This is just tawdry on every level. It would not be so bad if the middle four books had a story... but, basically it's just the 'heroine' Calie Liddle (anagram of 'alice'... geddit.. she's Alice's daughter. It's about as subtle and nuanced as this gets) lurching from one twisted version of an Alice in Wonderland character to another. From the Carpenter, the Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, The Queen of Hearts, The Cheshire Cat, etc... you get it. But there's no set-up. No drama, no depth. Nothing. Even Calie seems bored. She never seems mildly upset or scared. Truly awful.
It's a shame because the set-up is good, and the last book was also. The last book finally gained some depth and gave a backstory, and I have discovered there are 2 more books. It has a sort of promise, but I doubt I'll be investing. I like my characters to have some depth.
2 stars for the art and the last book of the six.
The good - The art is exquisite. The very start and very end are passable. (Books 1 & 6)
The bad - The middle is just a mess. It's just one set piece of blood, gore and minor titilation via glimpses of gusset and whale tail... and naked girls covered in food. It's just awful. I'm no prude as my extensive porn collection will attest, but porn doesn't try to be something else. This is just tawdry on every level. It would not be so bad if the middle four books had a story... but, basically it's just the 'heroine' Calie Liddle (anagram of 'alice'... geddit.. she's Alice's daughter. It's about as subtle and nuanced as this gets) lurching from one twisted version of an Alice in Wonderland character to another. From the Carpenter, the Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, The Queen of Hearts, The Cheshire Cat, etc... you get it. But there's no set-up. No drama, no depth. Nothing. Even Calie seems bored. She never seems mildly upset or scared. Truly awful.
It's a shame because the set-up is good, and the last book was also. The last book finally gained some depth and gave a backstory, and I have discovered there are 2 more books. It has a sort of promise, but I doubt I'll be investing. I like my characters to have some depth.
2 stars for the art and the last book of the six.
July 11, 2025
The Grimm Universe, from Zenescope, started with the publication of the Grimm's Fairy Tales comics series - which retold fairy tales (often, but not always from the Brothers Grimm) in a much darker fashion - sometimes similar to the darkness of the originals, sometimes even darker. And, because there is always a sexual undertone to the stories. the art is very cheesecake in style. Somewhere along the way, Zenescope decided to build upon this concept, and Wonderland was the next to get this treatment.
This graphic novel collects the prequel and the six issues of the mini-series. Whatever level of darkness had been present in the Grimm retellings, they doubled down on it here. Where Lewis Carroll's version of Wonderland is a dreamscape, where strange, nonsensical, and sometimes scary things happen, this version is a nightmarish hellscape, where everything is trying to kill our heroine - who is Alice's daughter. The reasons for Wonderland being so different aren't initially explained, and the series seems like an excuse for some pretty graphically violent scenes. The final issue reveals the backstory, which does give the reasons why Wonderland is as it is. However, as there hadn't been any foreshadowing, it doesn't make it feel a little rushed, although it certainly presents plenty of scope for future stories set in the realm.
This graphic novel collects the prequel and the six issues of the mini-series. Whatever level of darkness had been present in the Grimm retellings, they doubled down on it here. Where Lewis Carroll's version of Wonderland is a dreamscape, where strange, nonsensical, and sometimes scary things happen, this version is a nightmarish hellscape, where everything is trying to kill our heroine - who is Alice's daughter. The reasons for Wonderland being so different aren't initially explained, and the series seems like an excuse for some pretty graphically violent scenes. The final issue reveals the backstory, which does give the reasons why Wonderland is as it is. However, as there hadn't been any foreshadowing, it doesn't make it feel a little rushed, although it certainly presents plenty of scope for future stories set in the realm.
October 5, 2017
I have had these comics (and another line of Grimm Wonderland comics) for awhile now and somehow have never made the time to read them. I knew I would be sharing a photo of them today for some of my photo challenges so I decided to read issues 0-6 last night. I’m really glad I did! A few things first, they are rated “M” for mature, and I want to explain that, in this case, the rating is for nudity (drawn), language, and violence. The language was the least offensive of the 3 since I only recall one swear, but definitely a fair amount of nudity and violence. So mature readers, continue on for my review!
This follows Carroll (see what they did there?), the daughter of mentally unstable Alice, as she falls into the rabbit hole herself. It switches between showing what’s going on in “the real world” and wonderland. We see all of our favorite characters from the original work, but they are much darker and much scarier in this work. The art throughout the whole series is AMAZING. I would wait to go on to the next page so I could fully enjoy the beautiful artwork and vibrant colors. I found the story line really interesting as they took their own twist on the story, while still having it ring true. I think any major Alice fan would enjoy this rendition.
This follows Carroll (see what they did there?), the daughter of mentally unstable Alice, as she falls into the rabbit hole herself. It switches between showing what’s going on in “the real world” and wonderland. We see all of our favorite characters from the original work, but they are much darker and much scarier in this work. The art throughout the whole series is AMAZING. I would wait to go on to the next page so I could fully enjoy the beautiful artwork and vibrant colors. I found the story line really interesting as they took their own twist on the story, while still having it ring true. I think any major Alice fan would enjoy this rendition.
April 21, 2024
This book doesn't add anything new to the original story until the very end, when you find out what's really going on in Wonderland, but that explanation only lasts a few lines in a graphic novel that's nearly 200 pages long.
To summarize the plot: Alice's daughter is sent to Wonderland and rushes through a few encounters from the original tale, such as having a tea party with the Mad Hatter, meeting the Cheshire Cat, and of course playing croquet with the Queen of Hearts. She then gets saved via deus ex machina and is sent back to the real world. The story drags on for several more pages, and then it's over.
The book is doing nothing to reinvent or expand upon Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; it's just making things more gory. I would actually like to read a gory fucked up version of this story that happens to be GOOD, but alas . . .
To summarize the plot: Alice's daughter is sent to Wonderland and rushes through a few encounters from the original tale, such as having a tea party with the Mad Hatter, meeting the Cheshire Cat, and of course playing croquet with the Queen of Hearts. She then gets saved via deus ex machina and is sent back to the real world. The story drags on for several more pages, and then it's over.
The book is doing nothing to reinvent or expand upon Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; it's just making things more gory. I would actually like to read a gory fucked up version of this story that happens to be GOOD, but alas . . .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2017
A demented twist on my favorite classic, this first in a trilogy of graphic novels was overall entertaining. Filled with fan service, guts, & gore, each page was something to be marveled. A lot of negative reviews state that the fan service and borderline nudity were over the top and only satisfactory for teenage boys, but I disagree. If that's not your thing, then this series isn't for you. If you're down with it, though, I thought this piece takes the rabbit hole in a fresh and interesting direction, if not incredibly dark and overtly sexual. The ending is a bit weak, but it pays homage to Carroll's original work throughout and has left me curious about how things are going to play out in the sequel.
May 15, 2025
Alice's daughter makes a speedrun through a darker and bloodier version of Wonderland. This is much heavier on the horror elements than the mainline Grimm Fairy Tales series, which is good, I think. If not for the horror, these would just be regular old fairy tales, after all. Perhaps in part because the story gets a full 6 issues to unfold, we also get a lot more work put into the adaptation of the source material. It's not hard to put a creepy twist on the original Alice stories, but Gregory puts in the requisite legwork.
It's not exactly fine literature, but it's really trying to do something, and it feels like decent groundwork for more stories in the future (especially the promise of Lovecraftian elements, since I tend to be a sucker for some good cosmic horror).
It's not exactly fine literature, but it's really trying to do something, and it feels like decent groundwork for more stories in the future (especially the promise of Lovecraftian elements, since I tend to be a sucker for some good cosmic horror).
February 20, 2017
So I've been reading Grimm Fairy Tales and this story is part of the "spin-off" stories I believe. I found the reading order somewhere on-line and after finishing volume 3 this was the next one I was supposed to read. I didn't really enjoy it. Don't get me wrong the artwork was great, but it was the actual story-line that I did not enjoy. It could have done some great things, but it just felt as if it was all over the place and it couldn't find a means to truly establish a story. In all I could have done without the story, but I think there are future parts of this story that tie into the Grimm Fairy Tales arc. Overall, not the greatest and I wouldn't recommend it.
April 2, 2018
This is a fun, hyper realized ( if that’s possible ) take on the world of “Alice in Wonderland” and it’s characters. It follows the story of Alice’s daughter, Calie. We see the effect Wonderland has had on Alice and how that experience is later passed on to her daughter. Much more goes on but for the sake of spoilers I won’t go too much into it.
It’s violent, over sexualized and at times outrageous. But that’s the point really. The folks at Zenescope specialize in these forms of Grimm Fairy Tales. If you’re looking for a fun and twisted (but clearly sort of adolescent) take on this classic story, then this will be an entertaining read.
It’s violent, over sexualized and at times outrageous. But that’s the point really. The folks at Zenescope specialize in these forms of Grimm Fairy Tales. If you’re looking for a fun and twisted (but clearly sort of adolescent) take on this classic story, then this will be an entertaining read.
September 18, 2024
I picked up this book thinking it would be a fun, light read. I thought it would be the usual Zenetrope offering of cartoon violence and scantily clad women. What I got instead was something far darker. I was expecting this version of Wonderland to be a nightmare realm but this book takes it to the extreme. Everyone in Wonderland is evil and either wants to kill, eat, or mislead our heroine - who is not Alice but her daughter the gore is high, and the violence is graphic. The book still has the exploration fun of a Zenetrope book but the demented take on Wonderland does not always work for me.
April 21, 2018
I get that this comic is oversexualize and gory, but that does not mean the story is not good at all, so I don't get the 1-2 stars ratings over the artwork.
The beginning of this comic has a few continuation problems, and some stupid nude scene, but get over the first chapter and what you will find is a wonderland full of amazing backstory and interesting tie-ins.
If you're a macabre lover, you will love this.
The beginning of this comic has a few continuation problems, and some stupid nude scene, but get over the first chapter and what you will find is a wonderland full of amazing backstory and interesting tie-ins.
If you're a macabre lover, you will love this.
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March 16, 2023Interesting Take on a Classic
Even if you're not a fan of the pinup style of artwork, this book still brings something to the table, though, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I discovered it was created the same parties responsible for the atrocity that was "Irresistible". I guess not all of their works are written in crayon after all. I stand corrected.
Even if you're not a fan of the pinup style of artwork, this book still brings something to the table, though, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I discovered it was created the same parties responsible for the atrocity that was "Irresistible". I guess not all of their works are written in crayon after all. I stand corrected.
March 7, 2018
Do you like dark takes on Alice in Wonderland? This series is for you! Beautiful art and a dark disturbing story line leaves you lost in thought. Check out my review below:
tatteredturtlestittertattle.wordpress...
tatteredturtlestittertattle.wordpress...
June 19, 2017
A cool mix of strange ideas with a gory twist, but it feels like people could have done it better with this comic series. I'll wait and see what comes next, I guess.
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