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 ComicsThe 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.
Tag: comic
Amelia Cole Team Puts the “Adult” In “Young Adult” With Once And Future Queen
King Arthur Comic
A comic about King Arthur, specifically the end of his story involving his son taking over his thrown and a fight to the death.
Sir Gawain Loses His Boots
Another comic in my series of about the further adventures of Sir Gawain, brave Knight of the Round Table.
The next couple of stories in this ongoing project will be full-colour webcomics like this one.
My other Sir Gawain stories so far were designed and released as limited edition risograph prints – some copies of both are still available from my shop:
Sir Gawain: Witch of the Wirral
Sir Gawain and the FerrymanMore info on this project:
The brilliant, anonymous medieval poet behind the epic Middle English poem ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ described Gawain’s journey north to meet the fearsome Green Knight in a cursory few dozen lines. We briefly learn that our hero faced many perils along his way, including bears, giants, wild men of the woods, and all kinds of trials of nature. I’m filling in that part of the story with a series of standalone comics, in print and online, following Gawain’s many adventures as he crosses a mythic and strange Britain full of monsters and magic.
a short comic about morgan le fey, who did nothing wrong
Camelot 3000 by Brian Bolland
Muppet King Arthur Comic Covers
‘Amelia Cole’ Creators Launch ‘The Once And Future Queen’
This looks so good! I’ve never read Amelia Cole but have heard good things about it.
Looks like a lot of the characters will be gender-swapped and diversified.
Dissecting the pane that is presented:
Pulls sword from stone – has flashbacks to life as King Arthur
“…the betrayal…” – looks like the old love triangle rears its ugly head, or perhaps a Mordred reference?.
“…but I love you…” – Guinevere again, or maybe Morgause?
“…the Lady always plans…” – said by an old character, Merlin perhaps, referring to maybe Morgan, Vivian or the Lady of the Lake?
“…step aside, you scheming bitch!” – it’s never sub-Roman Britain without some misogyny. I’m going to guess this is directed towards Morgan or Morgause.
Drawings of fairies and goblins – fantasy elements will be very much a part of it.
Old decrepit character wearing a crown – The Fisher King?
Now, will Elaine be in it?
Sir Gawain and the Ferryman
New 4-page risograph comic – this is the second in my series of short comics chronicling the further adventures of Sir Gawain, brave Knight of the Round Table.
In this story, Gawain’s journey requires him to cross a stretch of fog-shrouded marshland, where space and time behave strangely.
It folds out on the reverse with a large drawing of Gawain facing a fierce giant.
Now available to purchase from my shop here.
More info on this project:
The brilliant, anonymous medieval poet behind the epic Middle English poem ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’ described Gawain’s journey north to meet the fearsome Green Knight in a cursory few dozen lines. We briefly learn that our hero faced many perils along his way, including bears, giants, wild men of the woods, and all kinds of trials of nature. I’m filling in that part of the story with a series of standalone comics, in print and online, following Gawain’s many adventures as he crosses a mythic and strange Britain full of monsters and magic.
Kay you’re literally a seneschal, how on earth did you not realise that Beaumanis is Gareth!!! Look at them, they’re all ginger!!
(but like, Kay certainly would know all the Orkney brothers just because of their connection to Arthur. And yet. Who’s that kitchen boy that looks exactly like Gareth?? Idk probably some peasant)
Arthurian Legends 