FLINTLOCK BOOK FIVE review – Throwback (Tanner, Sleightholme, Parkinson, Angeli, Archidiacono, Burns) Time Bomb Comics

• Writer: Steve Tanner
• Artists: Gareth Sleightholme, Caroline Parkinson, Carlos Angeli, Francesco Archidiacono
• Letterer: Bolt-01
• Cover Artist: John M. Burns

Thanks to Time Bomb Comics for the review copy!

Time Bomb Comics’ FLINTLOCK is a series of stories set in the 18th century, with gorgeous black and white illustrations that feel appropriate for the setting. Most of the volume’s stories feature strong female lead, which is an interesting take on a century usually depicted as male dominated. Prior knowledge of Lady Flintlock, Onna, Sparrowhawk, and The Clockwork Cavalier isn’t necessary, as I was able to enjoy these stories without having read the prior volumes.

Lady Flintlock seems to be the most serialized of the stories, with a vibe a lot like Zorro, Three Musketeers, or Robin Hood. While it refers to things that happened previously, it is easy to pick up what is going on. Like Pirates of the Caribbean, the bad guy is one of those British elites with a wig. He’s so nasty, it’s tempting to read his lines aloud in your best fake British accent. Unlike the other stories, it also ends on a cliffhanger.  

The remaining stories are more self contained. Onna takes place in Okinawa, while  Sparrowhawk moves to Australia. The Clockwork Cavalier is the strangest of the stories, featuring a steampunk-like robot main character, which is the first time I’ve seen such a thing in an 28th century story.

FLINTLOCK has something for everyone, from samurais to swashbucklers. Fans of historical fiction will definitely want to check this volume out. The best complement I can give FLINTLOCK is that it told enjoyable self contained stories that made me want to read prior (and future) volumes as well.

FLINTLOCK BOOK FIVE is now available.

Have you read the title? Want to talk to me about it? Feel free to chat with me on Twitter or leave a comment below!

If you’d like to write opinion pieces about pop culture topics or reviews, reach out to us using the contact us form.