The first issue of Grim is fantastic. The story focuses on Jess, a reaper who doesn’t know how she died and might be able to interact with the living? What’s the deal with that? Why doesn’t her boss want her to know how she died? The mystery deepens in Grim #2 as Jess and her friends decide they want to get some answers.

Writer Stephanie Phillips opens up with a shocking moment as what looks like the Grim Reaper attacks a Día de Los Muertos celebration. It’s an unexpected event that opens up so many questions about this world and its rules.

But, what makes the comic really stand out is Jess and her friends. Phillips has created a character that you feel for. Though she’s fantastical, there’s so much we can relate to. She’s in a job where her boss is an ass. She deals with her work’s idiotic rules. She also is struggling with her past and wants answers that others won’t provide. You feel the frustration and anger she feels. And it’s all justified.

The art from Grim #2 continues to be amazing. Flaviano, colorist Rico Renzi, and letterer Tom Napolitano deliver a world that pops. It’s beautiful and haunting to look at. Each character and moment has such personality that jumps from the page. The art style, color, everything just comes together for a look that feels like it celebrates death like the celebration mentioned above. It’d be so easy to go the horror, dark, and brooding look but the comic stays away from that. Though there’s still a bit of darkness about the comic, it has a feel that glows from the page.

Grim #2 is another fantastic issue of the series. It deepens the questions and raises more while also giving us characters we can either laugh with and/or feel for. It’s a wonderful mystery set in an interesting world. Grim #2 continues a solid new twist on a classic concept.

Story: Stephanie Phillips Art: Flaviano
Color: Rico Renzi Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.65 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics

Stories about the Grim Reaper are plentiful. Whatever you’re looking for, probably exists. That’s what makes Grim #1 so interesting. Despite a character that’s used so much and a concept that’s used so much, the comic feels fresh and fun and one hell of a debut.

Written by Stephanie Phillips, Grim #1 focuses on Jessica Harrow. In the afterlife, she’s now a Reaper whose job it is to get souls to their destination. She’s one of many in the job, each with a unique personality and style. Unlike the others, she has no memory of how she died and how she got to where she is.

With this debut, Phillips delivers what feels like a fresh take on the concept of the Grim Reaper. The afterlife, the tone, the look, it all is interesting and new and sucks you into the world. You want to find out what’s next. What’s the next step in the process. We get to explore it all as Jessica takes her newly acquired individual to his destination. But, from there we get some twists.

There’s action. There’s a lot of solid comedy. And, there’s a mystery too. By the end, you’ll say “holy crap” and want to immediately read the next issue to find out what happens next! It’s just such a solid ride you want to go longer. Phillips infuses a sense of fun about it all, a playful tone she’s nailed in her writing of Harley Quinn.

It’s all helped by Flaviano‘s art. With color by Rico Renzi and lettering by Tom Napolitano, the look of the comic is dark but not grim and depressing. That line really helps as the comic overall is rather light and fun. If the style or colors are too dark, the comic wouldn’t come off as such and might be a slog to read. But, the team puts together a look that matches the comic perfectly. It takes us to horrific places but never feels horrible. There’s dead souls but it’s not depressing. And, when we get to the final destination, it all kind of lands with a nice punchline at how uneventful it all is. But most importantly, it has a style that feels like the fun the comic intends to be.

Grim #1 has already sold out at the distributor level and might be hard to find at shops. There’s a second printing coming in June and I fully expect that to sell out too, so hurry and don’t miss out on what is one of the best debuts of the year so far.

Story: Stephanie Phillips Art: Flaviano
Color: Rico Renzi Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – TFAW