REVIEW: Nottingham #9

Summary

Rating if the Book Were a Movie: R

Creative Team:

Writer: David Hazan

Artist: Shane Connery Volk

Colors: Luca Romano

Letters: Justin Birch

Cover: Shane Connery Volk

Editor: Brian Hawkins

Publisher: Mad Cave Studios

Ratings:

Story: 4.9 Stars 

Interior Artwork: 4.4 Stars 

Cover Artwork: 4.3 Stars 

Dialogue: 4.2 Stars 

Mechanics: 4.8 Stars 

Editing: 4.5 Stars 

Reviewer’s Notes:

“Nottingham” is the series that just keeps on giving. We continue to get a superb story, great character development, and more action than the reader knows what to do with. This was showcased as we learned about Sheriff Blackthorne’s youth. The more time we spend with him the more akin to Severus Snape he becomes. The sheriff is not a bad guy. He’s put in bad situations that he has no control over. By law he has to come down as the heavy, even if he doesn’t agree with it. The fact that he has to return with King Richard or it will be the death of him is a terrific example of the paradox he’s trapped in.

All of the focus on Sheriff Blackthorne is just one facet of the story we’re following. Hazan is doing a masterful job with everything that is happening in England. Marian’s maneuvering has been nothing short of awe inspiring. As crafty as she is, this woman could easily rule the world.

Shane Connery Volk’s artwork on the cover and interior pages is still maintaining its level of excellence. When coupled with Luca Romano’s coloring we’re getting work that jumps off the pages. Comparing this work with some of the other titles out there is like comparing the difference between shooting and throwing a bullet. This work is the real deal.

As counterintuitive as it sounds, I deliberately put off reading issues of “Nottingham”. It isn’t a monthly title yet. I know that sometime soon I will be in the position of waiting for quite some time for the next installment to come along. If I can make that wait shorter, then that is very fortunate. 

As a geek on a budget I believe this is one of the best titles of 2022. It’s the Robin Hood story we all deserve. It has action, intensity, and more twists than the production line of a pretzel factory. This title is the best bang you will get for your buck. Take some time to savor it.