Robyn returns in this one shot where she takes on the deadly Red Riding Hood. Does this comic deliver the epic confrontation the title suggests?

Here’s the official description from Zenescope:

You asked for more, and here it is — Robyn Hood returns in this over-sized one shot, which pits her against Red Riding Hood!

Red is hunting down rouge High Borns, and Robyn’s activity since returning to Earth has put the hooded archer on her radar.

Arrows will fly and lives are at stake as these two Zenescope fan favorites clash in the grudge match of the year!

Don’t miss the blowout battle that leads into the next Robyn Hood miniseries.

I love this comic because it demonstrates how a ‘vs.’ title should go. The battle isn’t saved for the final few pages, it’s there the entire time. When you pick up something called ‘Robyn Hood vs. Red Riding Hood,’ what are you expecting? You expect a great fight between the two, with fun dialogue accompanying. This one-shot delivers all that, and then some. Robyn has never been more fun to read, Red Riding Hood too was cool. (I’m now interested in seeing her get a new series.)

Patrick Shand, who wrote the first Robyn Hood series, takes on this one-shot. Robyn has easliy become the fan favorite protagonist of the Zenescope universe, this issue further exemplifies that. She’s quite the fighter, showing little mercy, but does have a heart, such as her reluctance to kill Red Riding Hood’s wolf. She also gets the best line in the comic, calling Red a ‘killer Barbie.’ Now this is not to say this is all about Robyn, (though the other point of this one-shot is to lead into Robyn Hood: Wanted) Red Riding Hood is also a highlight. She is another great take on a modern classic. Despite what you might think, these characters are quite the opposite. Red is less sarcastic and more ‘noble’ while Robyn is more down-to-earth and wouldn’t hesitate to get the job done, with added brutality. These two heroines really work well together in the story. The trash talking was a blast, I hope they cross paths again.

The art by David Cutler and JG Miranda is very good. The fights come alive and the expressions are detailed. The covers are nothing short of fantastic. The main one is very dynamic, looks like something Alex Ross would do. Cover B is also very good, not quite as exciting  but still something readers will like. The connecting covers are pretty incredible to say the least. The battle within the comic doesn’t disappoint. The build-up is also great, it’s interesting to see how these characters cross paths. It’s light on the story, but still retains an interesting plot which is complimented by the fantastic fight.

Overall, Robyn Hood vs. Red Riding Hood delivers exactly what we want to see, an epic showdown between the two. The writing is great, as is the pacing. Don’t think it’s an empty crossover or cash-in, it’s a quality comic that new and old readers will enjoy. It’s definitely the best Zenescope comic I’ve read. I’ll be looking forward to Wanted and hopefully they’ll give Red Riding Hood a new series too.

5/5

My name is Daniel (@Destroyer_199), the main guy for comic reviews here at Unleash the Fanboy. I was born in 1995 in the Big Apple, spent my formative years in Staten Island, and currently reside in the awesome state that is New Jersey.