Here’s the latest issue of this long-running series, which really deserves more recognition. The story opens in a parallel universe “where fairytale princesses and horrific monsters have merged to form more gruesome yet glamorous entities.” 

It’s a dark night, and we’re in a castle where see a version of Belle, from Beauty and the Beast (it’s her castle) who resembles the Bride of Frankenstein, a purple-skinned fanged vampire version of Snow White, a zombified skeleton version of Rapunzel, and Ariel from The Little Mermaid (sitting in a water tank), who has features similar to the Creator From The Black Lagoon.

And they’re all topless, exposing their big bare breasts, for some reason.

The ladies think they’re there to attend a Ball, which Belle is known for, but she informs them that she needs various magical items including Snow White’s magic mirror and Ariel’s trident, to cross into another universe to capture the magical “black rose”, which Belle needs to revive her beastly lover. But Belle is aware of Tarot’s existence and knows that she’ll be drawn to their universe too, so she needs Rapunzel there to bind her with her long hair so they can forcibly extract the magic from her and put it into the rose.

Or something. It doesn’t make all that much sense, but who cares?

The plan works, Tarot comes crashing through the mirror, in her skimpy outfit and mask, and is quickly subdued and strapped to some wires in a dungeon as they prepare to extract her magic, to revive the beast. It’s a painful procedure that leaves Tarot weakened and near death as the beast is revived, and Ariel is prepared to eat her, when Raven comes through the mirror, wearing almost nothing, to rescue her sister. So the rest of the issue is two nearly naked women fighting three topless women and a giant beast-man.

Tarot and Raven managed to escape back to their universe, but then the story ends on a cliffhanger related to Raven’t actions defying her Goddess in the previous issue.

So, yeah, overall the story was silly but enjoyable. Jim Balent knows what his audience is looking for when they get this comic, and he provides it with his art. He’s probably the only man who can make even a female zombie look sexy.

Cosplay model Zoe Volf is this month’s Broadsword Girl, portraying the most realistic-looking Tarot that I’ve ever seen. This issue is almost worth it just for that image alone.

Chacebook rating: FOUR STARS

Available at AMAZON.COM and via JIMBALENTSTUDIOS.COM