- 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 is a fresh (and violent) take on the Robin Hood legend that casts the Sheriff of Nottingham as the hero. Up until now, Robin Hood has been depicted as a violent anarchist and a pretty bad dude. With this current arc, Nottingham employs the tried and true “we have a bigger enemy to face so let’s form an uneasy alliance that will probably only last until this crisis is over and then we’ll go back to hating each other” story technique.
When it works, this plot device allows us to see two antagonists in a different situation that can reveal something interesting about them. When it doesn’t work, it can feel like a gimmick, especially when it is used to rehabilitate the bad guy and turn them into one of the good guys without any real consequence. Thankfully, thus far, Nottingham seems to be using the team up to enhance the story. Robin Hood remains a bit of a cipher, but he seems less murderous now given the motivation behind the team up.
This issue also relies heavily on what the series does best – providing the Sheriff with a mystery he has to use his detective skills to solve. It’s fun to see him solve things without the use of modern police techniques or technology. I also appreciated how this issue integrates a recent character addition into the story, while at the same time sending the plot into a different direction.
While this issue has plenty of fighting (and dying) it is less bloody than some prior installments (there is still some cursing so parental discretion remains advised). The art depicts hard hitting, gritty action, from swordplay to arrows. This issue uses a fair amount of white backgrounds to emphasize certain panels. It’s an interesting technique given the reds and blues that most of the book uses.
Nottingham #8 is set to be released on June 22nd, 2022.
Are you going pick up the comic? Feel free to leave a comment below or chat with us on Twitter at @TheConCollectve!
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