Belle vs. The Black Knight One-Shot: So, Same Time Next Week?

Two of Zenescope’s most badass warriors come face to face in the Belle vs. The Black Knight one-shot issue, showing off how fun the characters are in a clash that doesn’t quite go where you think it will.

Is this the best issue you will read this year? Probably not. However, it is an issue that understands not to take itself too seriously and above all else, have fun. Anabelle and Payton immediately fall into an enjoyable dynamic as they try to be tougher than the other, bringing in influences from the individual series while also taking the characters in a new direction. The catalyst for their meet up isn’t the most interesting aspect of the book, but I have a feeling it was never intended to be.

Bringing these two characters together feels like a no brainer. A couple of armor-clad fighters in the Grimm Universe with leading series seemed destined to meet at some point. While it’s easy to kick back and have fun with the one-shot, it also leans a little too heavily into the obviousness of their pairing. This results in a lack of distinguishable characteristics between the two and loses focus on highlighting their individuality to further the narrative.

The visuals are mostly well done. The splash pages are grand and the back and forths are interesting enough. There are a few panels that feel stiff and awkward, but not enough to be distracting. My main problem in this issue was the confusing lettering which had me searching for direction amidst the dialogue and two separate internal monologue voices all happening together. This conciseness is made more important by the emphasis on two competing personalities, and you can see how the creative team was pulling this off, it just gets a bit too overloaded in the busier spots.

Despite a few shortcomings, the Belle vs. The Black Knight one-shot is one that is easy to enjoy. It has quite a few connections to the Grimm Universe, but doesn’t really rely on them for any narrative significance. This is both good and bad, but ultimately, whether you are team Belle or team Black Knight, it’s a fun escapist comic.