Arthurian Legends

hatchingphoenix:

Hugh Likes Comics: The Once And Future Queen

The Once and Future Queen #1
Written by Adam P. Knave and D. J.  Kirkbride
Drawn by Nick Brokenshire
Published by Dark Horse Comics

The Legend of King Arthur evokes  a particular place in the imagination
of Western Literature. It’s a foundational document of Chivalry, Knights
and Ladies, and the pacification of Pagan Britain by more ‘civilized’
Christian forces. And like all canon literary myths, it has been shaped
and reshaped over the centuries to fit that era’s taste. From Malory’s
Le Mort Darthur to Disney’s kid-friendly adaptation of “The Sword in the
Stone,” to “Monty Python And the Holy Grail.”
“The Once and Future Queen,” from the creative team behind the “Amelia
Cole” Urban Fantasy series leaves yet another modern stamp on the
legend. The story centers on 19-year old Portland chess champ Rani
Arturus. In Cornwall for a tournament, she quickly catches the eye of a
local girl, loses the tournament, and pulls The Sword from The Stone.
The story proceeds from there, spilling from slice-of-life drama to full
on fantasy epic. It comes complete with some decidedly un-cute fey
planning an invasion and visions of Merlin speaking in riddles on the
nature of time while wearing a spacesuit.
Knave and Kirkbride are having fun with the source material, and
Brokenshire’s art has a sketchy quality that likewise feels relaxed and
quickly draws the eye across the page. But like the chess metaphors that
litter the comic, they’re still setting up their pieces. We get a
glimpse of Morgan, a YA author who is clued in to the magical goings on,
and a hint of tragic past and Merlin maybe exceeding moral boundaries
in setting up his new/old Queen.
The game is just starting, but I’m onboard for this super-heroic,
speed-chess take on the classic legend. You can pick up a copy at your
local comics shop, or in digital at Comixology.com.