Once and Future #1, from BOOM, impressed me. There, I said it. And I want more.
This book, written by Kieron Gillen with art by Dan Mora, with Tamra Bonvillain on colour, impresses me for several reasons. But it all comes down to how this team demonstrates a mastery of the comic medium within the first page, and transcend our expectations in such a flawless manner.
The story is about the King Arthur myth of the Sword in the Stone. When a group steal the sword and use it to bring back a long-dead villain, it’s time for ex-monster hunter Bridgette McGuire to escape her retirement home and coerce Duncan, her grandson to help her retrieve it.
You can hear the words spoken in the word balloons. They come from real voices. The drawings of their expression and gestures further the perception that we are really with these characters. It’s like a movie, it’s like a TV show, but the fluidity and seamless flow of this first issue is stunning. The colours are likewise deftly handled, and worth a special mention. Bonvillain’s palette is rich and vibrant, staying with a faithfully fun mix of warms and cools, emphasizing the characters in their differently lit environments.
It’s not about the buzz of this book, (now into its 4th printing before it even goes on sale); it’s about the superior content of this book. Buy one, if you can find one!
BOOM Once & Future #1, 32 pages of content for $3.99. Assume Teen rating
Newsdesk