I Hate Fairyland Vol. 1: Madly Ever After –
Image Comics
Written & Illustrated by Skottie Young
Colors by Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letters by Nate Piekos of Blambot
Ever wanted to go to a magical place where all of your hopes and dreams become a reality…then, when you get there, it’s a complete nightmare. I Hate Fairyland from Image Comics is the most twisted story ever told about a girl driven mad by a quest she has been on for what seems like an eternity. So, is this a volume worth a journey to your local comic shop?
Since this is an entire volume, I am going to need to be vague, as to not give away any key plot points. We follow Gertrude, who wished to go to a amazing world of wonder, but started by falling through a hole right on her face. Every visitor to Fairyland is sent on a quest to find The Key before they can return home. Little did Gertrude know, that after 27 years, she would be unsuccessful in this mission. When she finally snaps, Queen Claudia wants nothing more than to get rid of her guest. Throughout the volume we see Gertrude have to cut and slash her way through many challenges, even if most of those were self created. By her side the whole time is her Guide, Larry, who provides a sarcastic and defeatist tone that just raises the comedy to a new level. When the Queen is unsuccessful in ridding her world of Gertrude, she too starts to be driven mad. Towards the middle of the volume there is a HUGE plot twist that accelerates the story forward to a very dramatic and surprising finish. We finally find out if Gertrude’s impulsive and violent temper get the best of her.
To say this book is brilliant may be a huge insult to the insane and creative mind of Skottie Young. The world he created here is just as unique as it is violent and hilarious. The book is also self aware, breaking the fourth wall many times and coming up with ways to censor itself that will keep you laughing the entire time. It’s almost like something you would see inside the mind of Deadpool, but amplified by a million sharp axes and fire. You’ll be shocked and amused by Gertrude, love Larry to the point of wanting him to get his own spinoff and get an ending with some serious WOW factor. The colors by Beaulieu help things really jump off the page and round out this perfect blend of demented violence and spot on satirical fairy-tale humor. You’ll be stunned, sure, but you’ll be entertained from start to finish.
RATING: BUY (…and add the upcoming Issue 6 to your pull box NOW!)