NOTTINGHAM #6, from Mad Cave Studios on April 6th, 2022, brings enemies together for a common cause when King Richard the Lionhearted is captured in Rome. How much will Prince John pay to get him back?
The Details
- Written By: David Hazan
- Art By: Shane Connery Volk
- Colors By: Luca Romano
- Letters By: Justin Birch
- Cover Art By: Shane Connery Volk
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: April 6, 2022
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Was It Good?
NOTTINGHAM #6 marks the return of the acclaimed series after a brief hiatus, and we were very keen on the first arc, to put it mildly. Hazan and Volk captured a unique style by retelling the classic Robin Hood adventure with a detective noir twist and a Game of Thrones grittiness. Does the series’s return maintain the same level of quality? No, it’s better.
Before we dive into the lovefest, let’s recap a few points from where the series left off before the break. The first arc ended with an assault on the castle by Hood and his men. Hood escaped, but Blackthorne and Prince John survived. Amongst the chaos, Marion was injured while proving her loyalties lie mostly with herself.
Now, a messenger is intercepted delivering an urgent letter announcing serious trouble for King Richard. Where Hazan continues to excel in this series is in the way Robin Hood’s legend is presented as somewhat/sorta/almost faithful to the mainstream interpretation of the legend while infusing a grittier (possibly more realistic) air that dispels the flowery Hollywood patina of romantic, swashbuckling, adventure. This is a more mature take on Robin Hood, and in the battle for England’s soul, nobody’s hands are completely clean.
Moving into this new arc, Blackthorne knows Hood’s true identity which moves the story out of the detective realm and into a game of wits between two opponents. Blackthorne and Hood are constantly trying to outwit each other, and true to the tone Hazan has created in this version, neither character is the clear hero or villain. They’re the most relatable characters you’re likely to see anywhere because they’re complicated and messy and don’t always make the best choices. But, what Blackthorne and Hood share is a keen shrewdness and a fearless determination to fight in line with their loyalties. You may not agree with where their loyalties lie, but you can respect their determination as they fight for them.
So, the writing hasn’t missed a beat. However, there is a noticeable change, and it’s in the art. Volk’s art in this issue appears to have gotten better. That’s not to say the art in the previous issues was bad. It’s not. What we mean is that Volk’s art has improved to look even better. Lines look a little cleaner and crisper. The dramatic panel angles look more dramatic. And, Romano’s coloring is excellent.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you don’t recall how the castle siege ended before the break, first read our NOTTINGHAM #5 review.
We begin with a royal messenger racing towards his destination when he’s ambushed by Hood in the woods. Before Hood can seize the message, Blackthorne arrives and the two forces begin a standoff. Before the skirmish is done, Blackthorne escapes with the message, forced to leave the dying messenger behind. Later, Hood learns from the dying messenger that King Richard has been captured for ransom by the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VI.
As the issue progresses, various factions seek to use the capture to their advantage. Prince John wants to keep the throne. His mother wants Prince John to comply with the ransom. King Phillip II of France wants King Richard dead. All forces scheme and plot a plan to get what they want.
Blackthorne is later assigned to deliver the ransom of silver. A ransom Prince John decides will never reach its destination.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
NOTTINGHAM #6 is a perfect example of a title coming back from hiatus with as good, if not better, quality than before the break. Hazan’s sense of realism mixed with mythology is exceptional, and the art team has upped its game on every page.
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