Grim #17: The Lies We Tell
Creative Team
writer: STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
artist: FLAVIANO ARMENTARO
colorist: RICO RENZI
letterer: TOM NAPOLITANO
publisher: BOOM! STUDIOS
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
Grim #17 is a character driven entry that tugs at the reader’s heartstrings, delivering a personal story amongst the chaos of all hell breaking loose.
Reapers such as Eddie (the former hair metal musician) used to ferry souls before the entire afterlife system was destroyed. With fighting at every corner, it’s time to recruit souls for an all-out-war.
Over the past 16 issues, writer Stephanie Phillips has created a wild journey of Reapers battling political strife, monsters, and facing ultimate death. In the midst of this blockbuster epic, Phillips has cleverly inserted personal moments that work as self-contained stories. It’s an impressive balance of pacing from the larger narrative, but Phillips is no stranger to sharp writing.
Grim has primarily revolved around the trio of Jessica, Marcel, and Eddie. Often a source of comedic relief, issue #17 gives the larger than life musician an introspective backstory about lies and the people who receive them.
The issue begins with a younger Eddie having to lie to his dad about his sexuality after a violent confrontation. This establishes a foundation of Eddie’s inability to be honest as his upbringing has never given him the grace to be who he truly is.
After a heartbreaking scene of a parent belittling their child, the issue flash forwards to an older Eddie that struggles to be honest with a news reporter about his family, and his partner Saul about his career aspirations. It’s a tragic continuation that forms the crux of Eddie’s character arc in this issue.
Despite the lack of action, there is still tension in the drama between Eddie and the people in his life, and artist Flaviano Armentaro masterfully crafts panels full of symbolism and dualities. Colorist Rico Renzi enhances the illustrations with colors that offer bright tones and palettes for the various snapshots of time, tying the visual experience together beautifully.
What is particularly striking about this issue is the deeper elements in the writing and symbolic design in the art. Not only does this add complexity to Eddie, but the entire issue serves as a striking example of how to handle character backstories.
Final Verdict
The story and art design are nothing short of spectacular, rewarding readers with multiple read-throughs. Writer Stephanie Phillips has crafted an issue that is sharp, poignant, and a masterclass in both story and character design. This series continue to be one of the most refreshing comic books on shelves.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.75 |
| Story/Plot | 9.0 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.75 |
| Colors | 9.25 |
| Final Score | 9.4/10 |