Series: Once & Future
Author: Dan Mora
Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Released: March 31, 2020
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Summary:
Duncan thought he had lived a pretty ordinary life. Sure, he had been raised by his nan – but having a different family dynamic isn’t unheard of, right? Unfortunately, it turns out that his grandmother has been holding back the real legacy of his family.
Legacy, or nightmare. It all depends on the reader – and the teller of the story. Now Duncan’s in the center of a fantastical battle for England. And on the other side of the battle? Well, if things go very wrong, it’ll be King Arthur himself.
Review:
So, I read Once & Future as the comics came out for the longest time. Unfortunately, I lost the thread at some point (despite loving the series), so I will read through the backlog before trying to get caught up! Hence why I’m reading Once & Future Vol. 1.
Once & Future Vol. 1 is a fast-paced read that introduces us to so much – and somehow, it isn’t overwhelming. We have half a dozen characters, different Arthurian legends, and a pretty messed-up family history to dig into. Granted, this first volume is the tip of the iceberg, but Once & Future Vol. 1 is a solid intro.
There are a few things I love about this series. First, I love the twisted way they tell Arthurian stories here. Kieron Gillen’s take is refreshing. Given how sick of Arthurian retellings I’ve been lately, that’s saying something!
Second, I love the characters. Duncan, Rose, Bridgette, etc. Some of them I adore, while others I love to hate. They’re a complex mixture, and more importantly – they’re human. Thus, they have flaws, plans, and problems.
Finally, I flipping love the artwork. I had forgotten how much I loved the art when I dove back into Once & Future Vol. 1. In particular, I love Tamra Bonvillain’s colors. That alone could keep my love for this series alive.
Highlights:
- Twisted King Arthur
- Arthurian Legends
- Urban Fantasy
- Brilliant Colors
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