- Title: Once and Future #1
- Comic Vine: link
- Writer: Kieron Gillen
- Artist: Dan Mora
I’m a little behind in taking a look at writer Kieron Gillen’s new Arthurian comic, Once and Future. Opening with the discovery of an artifact, an ancient scabbard that once belonged to you-know-who, the issue shifts to man’s awkward first date which is mercifully interrupted by his grandmother leaving her nursing home which in turn leads Duncan McGuire down a fantastical rabbit hole.
Once and Future #1 features a great mix of humor and tension, as well as a nice twist about the idea of King Arthur’s return (and how it might not exactly be a good thing). Duncan works as a stand-in for the reader, discovering that world of Arthur, questing beasts, magical swords and scabbards, his grandmother’s secret cache full of all manner of weapons, and zombie kings are all quite real. All things considered, he takes things pretty well.
I may have been late to the party, but I’m fully on-board now. Let’s see where this goes! Must-read.
[BOOM!, $3.99]