Last week, I spotlighted a comic company that had been around for twenty years and, admittedly, a company that I hadn’t read all that much from. I’m talking about Zenescope! This time around, I want to take a look at some of their most recent comics.
Let’s start things off with Zenescope Legends – Fall 2025 Edition. It is a gripping one-shot that ventures into the shadowy depths of the Zenescope Universe, showcasing three of its most formidable and mysterious figures—Deathforce, Jasmine, and Keres. With a brooding, mythic atmosphere and pulse-pounding stakes, this issue delivers supernatural drama and moral tension that will resonate with fans of Zenescope’s signature fusion of horror and fantasy.
This one-shot comes from the creative mind of Joe Brusha, Zenescope’s co-founder and writer, renowned for crafting the publisher’s signature dark fantasy style. Gabriel Jardim brings the story to life with evocative artwork that drives the visual narrative. The covers feature striking contributions from Jordi Tarragona, Ivan Nunes, Michael Dooney, Josh Burns, and Marco Santucci.
The art is stunning, and even if you’ve never heard of any of the characters, this issue acts as a primer. It leaves you curious and wanting more. I’m definitely interested in all three characters and look forward to seeing where their story goes in the future.
Next up, Oz: Tablet of Destinies #1 catapults readers into a storm of sorcery, treachery, and temporal upheaval. The narrative hits the ground running, plunging us into a besieged Emerald City and a splintered Oz teetering on the edge of ruin.
Dorothy Gale steps back into the spotlight, rallying the Arcane Acre heroes to face a dire new threat: Father Time, whose meddling with the timeline has twisted allies into adversaries and awakened Morlana, the First Witch. At the heart of the story lies Glinda’s sacrifice, a pivotal moment that unravels the balance of magic across Oz. As chaos spreads, Dorothy must navigate a landscape of fallen comrades, revived enemies, and the ominous influence of the Tablet of Destinies.
The Tablet of Destinies in Oz: Tablet of Destinies #1 is firmly rooted in Zenescope’s established mythology. It draws from pivotal moments in earlier Oz storylines and the wider Grimm Universe, particularly following the defeat of PolyChrome—a powerful goddess who once sought to dominate Oz. This ancient artifact now resurfaces as a catalyst for new chaos, linking past battles to the unfolding crisis.
The pacing is relentless—at times almost overwhelming—with rapid-fire twists and spell-slinging showdowns crammed into nearly every page. Though the narrative occasionally buckles under its own grand ambitions, it’s anchored by Dorothy’s unwavering resolve, sharp dialogue, and the dazzling chaos of Zenescope’s fantasy realm. For readers who crave adrenaline-fueled storytelling, epic stakes, and unfiltered magical carnage, Tablet of Destinies #1 offers a wild, emotionally charged journey through heartache and havoc.
Of course, no overview of Zenescope would be complete without mentioning its flagship comic. Their Grimm Fairy Tales stand as the foundation of its dark fantasy universe. This flagship series reinvents timeless fairy tales through a contemporary lens, often laced with horror and supernatural intrigue. Debuting in 2005 under the creative direction of Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco, the comic initially embraced an anthology format, offering fresh, morally charged retellings of classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood, each infused with eerie twists and mystical repercussions.
Serving as the second-to-last installment in Zenescope’s epic saga, Grimm Fairy Tales Vol. 2 #99 intensifies the drama with a potent mix of emotional fallout and mystical conflict. Skye Mathers must confront the consequences of her past as the Grimm Universe spirals toward chaos. With trusted allies dispersed and adversaries gaining ground, this issue lays the groundwork for the explosive finale in #100. The narrative embraces themes of legacy and consequence, while the artwork pulses with kinetic energy and a brooding tone. Veteran readers will catch the layered callbacks and evolving character arcs, while newcomers are likely to be drawn in by the intense, fast-moving storyline.
Again, Zenescope has been around for twenty years. How many independents can say that? They may not have the hottest titles with the biggest talent, but they do offer solid storytelling and tons of fantastic comics.
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