Erica J. Heflin has done some interesting things since taking over this title.  Previously the series and all spin-offs had been under the overseeing gaze of its Zenescope creator, Raven Gregory.  Since taking over the helm, Erica, has proven that there are a lot of good stories left to tell with the main characters of the Wonderland series, but she has pulled off some other notable successes as well.  One of them is with this issue, and ties indirectly into the previous issue.  In fact, it is quite indirect as it really has nothing to do with it, other than the fact that both have been stand alone issues of good quality, which is a relative rarity in modern comics where every story seems to be part of some story arc or some new direction.

The story here even focuses very little on one of the strongest parts of the series, the protagonist and hero Calie Liddle.  Instead it focuses on the Cheshire Cat.  In the madness of Wonderland where anything is possible, there are still some things which feel out of place, but the writer is capable of making a community of laughing maniacal cats seem to be at place, even when the leader of the cats dwarfs the other large cats.  Cheshire has returned home to be judged by his peers and his community after having long since left.  What follows is an unconventional story as he is forced to fight for his life in unforeseen ways.

What ends up transpiring is story which should feel out of place in the land of Carroll, but instead fits right in.  Of course this is still the Grimm Fairy Tales version of Wonderland and is thus a bit more brutal, but the manner of the cats and Calie’s eventual response to them is close to being a perfect mix for the modern Wonderland as can be found.  As the next issue promises the lead-in to the next story arc, the previous two issues almost makes the reader wish that another story arc was not up next, as the stand alones have been fulfilling reads.

Story: Erica J. Heflin Art: Vincenzo Riccardi
Story: 8.8 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.8 Recommendation: Buy

Zenescope provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review