Comic Book Review Once and Future #28

9
Rating
Published On:2022-08-02
Published by: Boom Studios
Author:Kieron Gillen
Artist:Dan Mora
Colorist:Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer:Ed Dukeshire

The Origins of Story Magic Revealed

Comic book review written on August 23, 2022

In This Issue of

What Else Happens in this Comic?

Mary and Bridgette hatch a plan to use the Arthurs against each other. The humans can’t defeat all of the magical  armies, but they can trick one of the Arthur’s into working for them.  While the Arthurs are fighting, Duncan, Rose and the Merry-men perform the ceremony to release King Lear and his magic forgetful rain.  The Green Knight comes for Rose.

Once And Future 28 P8
Once And Future 28 P8

How is the Writing in ??

The Dialogue

Merlin’s backstory is only three pages long, but it contains an novel’s worth of information. Merlin is so sad; a character caught up in his own web.  His words are heart-wrenching.

Showing Versus Telling

Merlin’s backstory is only three pages long, but it contains an novel’s worth of information. Merlin is so sad; a character caught up in his own web.  His words are heart-wrenching.

The Vibe

This issue reminds me of the third-to-last episode of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer television show. We get a lot of emotional beats setting things up for the final confrontation.

Comic Art Review

Dan Mora is one of this generation’s rock star artists.  This issue continues a long run of fabulous artwork and inspired character designs.

On the Cover

Dan Mora drew the primary cover with many of our favorite Once and Future characters including Lancelot, Mary, Grendel and Robin Hood.

Yejin Park drew the incentive cover. I’m not sure where he was going with the design. It looks like Mary and Rose each split in half.  It could be a metaphor for how the characters feel in this issue (although we aren’t given much of Rose’s inner dialogue to know). Maybe it is about how magic has torn apart their worlds.

World Building

Locations

  • The Middle of Nowhere, Otherworld
  • Skeleton Arthur’s castle, Otherworld
  • Parliament Square
  • Bath, Otherworld
  • London

Who's Who

- Green Knight
- Rose
- Bridgette
- Duncan
- Mary
- King Lear
- Arthur (3)
- Merlin
- Ladies of the Lake

Big Question

How do we undo the ending of this story?

A king who would return. A king who would return to me.

Merlin about Arthur

Who Will Like

At this point in Once and Future, you are a super-fan of the creative team and the amazing world they have created.  If you are new to Once and Future, it’s equal parts X-files and Arthurian legend.  Start at the beginning of the series or this issue won’t make any sense to you.

I Need More Content like

For more Dan Mora art,  visit Character Design References.

Should You Buy This Comic Book?

OMG on the cliffhanger this issue. It can't end like this! Be sure you're sitting down because the last panel of Once and Future #28 is going to knock you over.

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