So I got the most bizarre letter the other day. Nottingham: A King’s Ransom from Mad Cave goes all out on its timely marketing with this:
Nottingham? From Robin Hood?
So a long time ago on Monkeys Fighting Robots, I had the honor of reviewing Nottingham. This series along with Battlecats is the longest running series at Mad Cave… at this time. The grimdark reimagining of Robin Hood reexamines the cast of the iconic legend. Here Robin’s loyalties are more with King Richard I than anyone else. So he and the Merry Men aren’t so much for the people as they are a cult stealing money for the Lionheart’s campaign against his brother. As for the Sheriff of Nottingham, Everett Blackthorne… Menacing to look at and has a chip on his shoulder since he’s an ex-crusader. But he’s arguably the most moral person in the series. Everybody else is out for their shot at power even Maid Marian.
Nottingham: A King’s Ransom For Your Attention
And here we have our title’s theme courtesy of David Hazan. With the Lionheart held for ransom, Robin and the Sheriff have to put their differences aside. There’re traitors all around them with alliances in knots. Prince John is conspiring to keep his throne through sabotage. With Blackthorne thrown into the rescue mission as a sacrifice, he’s going to need all the help he can get. All of the good help just happens to come with baggage. Not just Robin Hood but an assassin Blackthorne keeps under watch.
As for the Merry Men, their loyalties are becoming divided. Some of them are coming to the realization that Robin never had the people’s best interest. It’s something Marian takes full advantage of in her grab for power. Not just with the Merry Men but all of Nottingham. Just about every character has a web of intense relationships.
The Tragedy of Everett Blackthorne
Sheriff Blackthorne remains the stoic moral center to the reader. Throughout Nottingham: A King’s Ransom his character fleshes out for readers to empathize with. With the revelation of being the son of a Jewish woman who suffered the first historical English holocaust it brings a new perspective. Blackthorne barely made any choices in his life, simply drifting through it while trying to be moral. It’s one of the reasons he shows mercy to a Saracen. As a crusades veteran, Blackthorne had his fill of slaughtering these people. He’s optimistic for something better, but doesn’t really know how to do it.
Robin Hood: Rogue To Scoundrel
But while Blackthorne becomes more sympathetic, readers experience Robin as a genuine villain. While he starts as a lovable rogue with a professional sense of duty. Overtime, his lack of patience and concern for others come out. With this, any admiration the readers might have had is systemically washed away. Sealing the deal is how Robin’s loyalty to King Richard reveals that he’s an antisemite.
Marian: The Grimdark Inversion
Finally let’s talk about the character with a very notable arc. Since the old plays of her debut, Maid Marian has been a feminist icon. In addition to traditional feminine qualities like home making, she commanded high respect for her courage, independence, and fighting skills.
But in Nottingham: A King’s Ransom, Marian shows off the darker side to the strong female protagonist. She takes full advantage of her reputation, either as a frail victim of circumstance or a leader who understands others. It’s what allows Marian to lead the Merry Men in Robin’s absence. Unlike how Robin’s devotion to King Richard keeps him in check (somewhat), Marian takes more drastic risks. She’s willing to slaughter noble’s children and sacrifice an eager recruit to dominate Nottingham. In the end, despite being a natural leader, Marian is only out for herself.
Nottingham: A King’s Ransom Suspense Remains High
Aside from the characters, the plot’s suspense is what sells Nottingham: A King’s Ransom. Every character has their loyalties, motivations, and goals which leads to interesting if intense scenarios. Everyone is ready to betray somebody as tension mounts with each passing page. Some readers are already aware of Hood and Blackthorne’s rivalry, with the only thing keeping them from killing each being the kidnapped king.
As for the Saracen Blackthorne keeps an eye on, Ayyadieh, she adds to everything. With the reader knowing she’s a hashashin, they realize she’s bidding her time in captivity. Not that she just waits for the right opportunity, Aya takes full advantage of her cover to push the plot forward. Also in her short appearance, Aya displays herself as a fully developed character. As a foil to Blackthorne, she believes in a cause to help the most people. But she doesn’t blindly play by the politics of all parties. Instead Aya inspires Blackthorne to work around the status quo. It’s a thought that sticks to the reader as it does to Blackthorne.
Nottingham: A King’s Ransom is Grim & Gritty
Nottingham: A King’s Ransom wouldn’t be a grimdark without an art to match. Shane Connery Volk gives characters a rather rough look while presenting the comic’s pace in various ways. Sometimes a 9 panel grid shows up for a balanced exchange between characters. Other times amid conflicts is a grisly display in pages full of wide panels. At the center of those pages’ attention is a blackened space without panels for a big dramatic moment. What makes these even more eye-catching are Luca Romano’s colors like with Marian’s disembodied red lips.
Another Great Chapter
Nottingham: A King’s Ransom proves to be yet again one of the best things to come out of Mad Cave. What stands out the most here are complex characters that allow for suspenseful scenarios. No surprises for the sake of it, just in character moments that’re all the more memorable. All of which are presented with truly great art. Final score 9/10.