TALES FROM NOTTINGHAM #5, from Mad Cave Studios on 6/28/23, picks the next character in the lineup to follow by recounting Robin of Locksley’s early days as a rebel and his first fateful meeting with Little John.
The Details
- Written by: Damien Becton
- Art by: Rafael Romeo Magat
- Colors by: Ellie Wright
- Letters by: Matt Krotzer
- Cover art by: Rafael Romeo Magat
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: June 28, 2023
Is It Good?
Subverting expectations, when done correctly, can lead to a surprising burst of creativity. That said, sometimes meeting expectations, when also done correctly, can be just as entertaining. TALES FROM NOTTINGHAM #5 takes the road less traveled for the Nottingham series by recounting the first meeting between Robin and Little John with a reasonably close, but no less riveting, adaptation of the original story.
Damien Becton’s script catches up with Robin of Locksley before he partnered up with the rebels that would form the basis of the Merry Men. When Robin’s escape from Prince John’s soldiers leads him into a “fight or die” first meeting, Robin must prove his mettle in combat and his loyalty to the people of England.
The novelty of the Nottingham series is the slight twist in expectations that places Sheriff Blackthorne at the center of the story as a morally gray officer of the law. His methods may be brutal, but his heart’s in the right place… sorta kinda. Using this latest character one-shot to take a closer look at Robin Hood, painting him in a traditional light, Becton creates an opportunity for Blackthrone and Robin to be at odds while having similar goals. If Robin is the righteous rebel, and Blackthrone is the righteous but rough lawman, it’s impossible to predict how their relationship will evolve. That’s the kind of unpredictable surprise comic readers love to see.
That said, the positive is also the slight negative. The main series established itself as unique because it subverted expectations about the story you thought you knew. This one-shot plants the seeds for surprising conflict in the future, but the issue itself, while well done, mildly suffers from predictability.
How’s the art? It’s excellent. Rafael Romeo Magat’s art style is a brighter, cleaner, fresher version of Bronze Age-styled comics. Magat’s panel composition and layouts are visually engaging, and the figure work is outstanding. Ellie Wright’s color application is outstanding, but her palette selection lacks pop.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Robin of Locksley interrogating one of Prince John’s many corrupt tax collectors. Robin wants the location of all the money stores the collectors use for deposit locations, but the collector escapes his bonds and attacks, forcing Robin to kill him.
Suddenly, Prince John’s soldiers arrive to rescue the collector. Robin sneaks past and steals their horse-drawn wagon. Using his expertise with a bow, Robin kills most of the pursuing guards and creates enough distance to make it to a small stone bridge leading to the forest.
When Robin thinks he’s made his escape, his horse trips into a trap that kills the horse and sends Robin flying. Before he can recover, Robin finds himself surrounded by not-so-merry men. We conclude the issue with an argument over loyalty, a challenge, and a call to arms.
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Final Thoughts
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TALES FROM NOTTINGHAM #5 subverts expectations for the main Nottingham series by telling a traditional tale about the first meeting between Robin Hood and Little John. The art is great, and the story is well-crafted, but Nottingham fans used to reading the classic tale with a twist will get all classic with no twist.
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