- Writer: David Hazan
- Artist: Shane Connery Volk
- Colorist: Luca Romano
- Letterer: Justin Birch
- Editor: Brian Hawkins
- Book Designer: Diane Bermudez
Thanks to Mad Cave Studios for the review copy!
Nottingham’s first arc managed to take a well-tread subject (Robin Hood) and make it feel fresh and wholly original. Unlike many iterations, this Robin Hood is dark and exceedingly violent. In fact, Robin Hood isn’t even the hero of the story. That honor goes to the Sheriff of Nottingham, here cast as in a pseudo detective role. In contrast, Robin Hood seems pretty homicidal and is downright scary. While everyone likely knows about Robin Hood (and all the characters are here), I recommend starting with the first issue to help understand how Nottingham interprets the characters.
After the explosive events of issue 5, this issue starts a new arc. In addition to pivoting to a new storyline with real promise, this installment fills in some welcome details about the characters in the book. As was the case in the first five issues, there isn’t a lot of exposition, but details are sprinkled in through the dialogue without feeling too talky.
This issue has more political intrigue than Nottingham has shown in the past, but this doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of fighting. In true Nottingham fashion, the action sequences are pretty bloody and well choreographed. Perhaps more impressive are the non-fight panels. The issue subtly uses different perspectives, angles, and panel sizes to make dialogue heavy panels pop, which is impressive given the dark color palette Nottingham uses to set the tone.
If you think you’ve seen everything the Robin Hood legend has to offer, Nottingham is out to prove you wrong. Nottingham’s second arc is off to a start worthy of the high bar set by its first five issues. In addition to the violence, there is enough cursing to merit parental discretion.
NOTTINGHAM #6 is set for release on April 6th, 2022.
Are you going to pick up this issue? Feel free to chat with me on Twitter or leave a comment below!
Interview with David Hazan
The Convention Collective: What was the inspiration for this take on the Robin Hood legend?
David Hazan: Mad Cave asked me for a noir, but I wanted to set it in a non-traditional setting…that led me to a medieval setting, which led me to the Crusades, which led me to Robin Hood. It was really more a function of finding a unique take on the genre, than finding a unique take on the Robin Hood legend. The latter was almost a happy accident, but as soon as I tried to refocus the Robin Hood legend in the noir genre, things really started to fall into place.
TCC: What can readers expect in the second arc?
David: Hard to say without giving away too much. King Richard has been kidnapped, so expect more politics and intrigue. More murder and mayhem, too. New characters. Old Characters. Twists on characters from the legends and those that are our own creation. New and interesting character interactions. A sprawling adventure, new mysteries and bigger stakes than ever before.
TCC: One of my favorite characters in the series is Marian, because I love the ambiguity in her character. What can you tell me about how you decided on this take on Marian and what is in store for her in future issues?
David: She’s the quintessential femme fatale. As the standout female character in the legends, she had to be. I don’t want to give too much away, but suffice it to say that this second arc has one eye squarely on Marian and the mischief she is going to get up to while both Robin and the Sheriff are abroad. It’s an entire subplot for the Marian stans with enduring ramifications for the future of Nottingham, both the city, and the series.
TCC: The action in this series is consistently excellent (and bloody), how do you come up with the fight sequences and how do you translate that onto the page?
David: For me, the fight sequences should always reveal story and character. I try to make them ooze that as much as, if not more than the dialogue in the script and the overall narrative. The rest is up to Shane and Luca and the dynamism is right there for you to see on the page.
TCC: What other legends would you be interested in revisiting with a Nottingham-style lens?
David: I have a fun take on the other national British myth that I’ve slowly been working on that I can’t wait to find a home for. *wink*
Thanks to David Hazan for his time, and for Frank Silva with Mad Cave Studios for arranging the interview!
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