Nightmares & Fairytales

(Slave Labor, 2003-2006)
™ and © Slave Labor Graphics

Writer Serena Valentino has left her mark on the alternative–comics world over the past several years with her Goth–inspired, horror–lite GloomCookie. That series’ well–written paranormal–meets–the–dance–club stories, though, were marred by an inconsistent stable of artists who did not do her stories the horrific justice they deserved.

Superior to her previous work is this one, which features the more fitting, pleasing, and understated talents of artist Foo Swee Chin (who goes by FSc) and Valentino’s own improved talent as a writer. FSc takes a minimal approach with her art, yet her frequent usage of distorted lines and anatomical figures complements what Valentino tries to do and succeeds: expanding on such classic fairytale elements as Little Red Riding Hood, adding troubling (often shocking) twists.

Each tale is a stand–alone with no recurring characters, save for an eerie antique doll named Annabelle who has gotten around over the years. Annabelle is sentient, and the stories are told via her disturbing narrations. These stories are weird, scary, and worthwhile.

—Jim Johnson

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