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Nottingham #1 Review
Nottingham is a new Robin Hood story through the lense of ‘what if Robins Merry Men were terrorists?’ It is written by David Hazan, art by Shane Connery Volk, colouring by Luca Romano and lettering by Joamette Gil. With editing duties by Chris Fernandez and Brian Hawkins.
Synopsis: In this twisted medieval noir, the Sheriff of Nottingham hunts a serial killer with a penchant for tax collectors. The Sheriff’s investigation makes him the target of England’s most nefarious power-brokers. That’s to say nothing of the Merry Men, terrorists lurking amongst the trees of Sherwood, led by an enigma known only as “Hood.”
Nottingham #1 is published by Mad Cave Studios and will be available from your local comic book store from March 3rd, 2021.
Nottingham #1 Story
Nottingham #1 is a brilliant start to an alternate retelling of history’s most well known (and retold) fable, Robin Hood. Writer David Hazan takes the bull by the horns with this refashioned tale of the Prince of Thieves. Hazan’s comic book script postulates the idea of what if Robin Hood’s Merry Men were idealistic zealots intent on using terrorism to achieve their goals.
Nottingham starts with Will Scarlett using fear and infiltration to mount a series of attacks on the Kings Men throughout the countryside. This catches the attention of Sheriff Blackthorne who turns the tables on Scarlett when he tries to assassinate him and instead captures him and claps him in irons. When Lady Marian and Robin Hood secretly meet it’s revealed that the coordinate attacks have been part of a bigger plan and that Scarlett is threatening the success of the plan – Robin savagely murders Scarlett. A perfect end to a first issue.
As far as this first issue goes we are served up quite a treat. Hazan does a superb job at deconstructing the citizens of Nottingham and reinventing their roles from the ground up. Robin Hood takes on an almost Batman archetype whilst Lady Marian is the strongest personality in the entire comic book. Brave, determined and unfettered in her goals and ideals in this world of men. A welcome abandonment of literatures very first femme fatale.
Nottingham #1 Art
Shane Connery Volk’s interpretation of a world masked in old English lore and legend is bold and fascinating. The composition of the male characters look hard edged and carved out of stone while Lady Marian is soft and welcomingly feminine.
Volk’s creation of the Merry Men Masks look eerily familiar and provocative in their own unique way. They cast an enigmatic shadow over the entire comic book. The creepy smile design a bastardisation of V for Vendetta meets The Maxx.
Luca Romano’s colours contrast the mood and feel of each panel. There’s a regal feeling of how each character carries themselves thanks to Romano’s palette. The colours aren’t just a flavoured addition to the mix, they drive the overall tone of the Nottingham.
Nottingham Conclusion
Nottingham #1 is the best release to come out of Mad Cave Studios this year. It’s a strong storyline with a voracious appetite for controlled anarchy and mayhem. David Hazan’s scripting feels well thought out and purposeful while the art is the stuff nightmares are made of. If you only pick up one Mad Cave Studios comic book series this year make sure it’s Nottingham.
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