GVN Talking Comics Review: Mad Cave Studios ‘Nottingham’ Issue #12 By David Hassan And Shane Connery Volk – “Nottingham at its ferocious glory!”

Last Time

When we last left Nottingham, Everard Blackthorne had once again let his passion for Nottingham and its people lead him to ruin. He was cast into the dungeon along with Friar Tuck and what WAS Guy of Gisbourne. Someone had taken it upon themselves to rid Nottingham of another Noble. Leaving Tuck as being the leading suspect since he was the only one in the cell with Gisbourne. Naturally, he proclaimed his innocence. But that was not the only problem Marian was facing.

The scouts she had sent to spy on Robin and King Richard were captured and hung outside the city gates. Hung by Robin of Locksley himself. This has put the populace inside the city walls on the edge of revolt. However, Marian is aware if she does nothing to bring justice for Gisbourne’s death, she will likely lose the city guard anyway. And as much as Little John wanted to pin the death on the Sheriff, the fact that he was dead before the Sheriff was locked up precluded it.

Entertainment

That left Tuck as the scapegoat. Not that Marian cared. All she knew was that the people needed a distraction, and a public execution was a particularly popular event. As for Everard, he knew that Marian and Little John were playing right into the King and Robin’s hopes. They wanted the citizens to turn on Marian and those seemingly in charge to turn on each other.

Little John addressed the crowd, notating that they were aware of the King and Robin’s presence outside the gate. They believed that together, they could outlast that threat. But now, the matter at hand was the death of Guy of Gisbourne, the former Lord of Nottingham. He presented the suspect in this murder, Friar Tuck, asking him for his plead. Tuck proclaimed Not Guilty and insisted on Trial by Combat, with his champion being Everard Blackthorne. Which was the first the Sheriff had heard of it.

No Choice

With the trial set for noon, the Sheriff accosted Friar Tuck for putting him into this position. Tuck had put him in a no-win situation. He would have no choice but to accept the challenge. As for Little John, he didn’t see why Marian would even agree to such a “farce.” She explained that with the state of affairs with the crowd, she had no choice. The only good John saw coming from it was HE would have the honor of taking the Sheriff down. However, Marian refused to let John accept the challenge. He was too valuable to her to take a chance of losing him. They would instead send Caellach the Celt in his stead. A brutish, hulking man with a huge axe.

The Trial

It took very little time for the battle to commence. Each man was freakishly strong with the Sheriff having the edge in combat experience. It was a fierce, ugly battle with no sides given or taken. Eventually, it would be the Sheriff’s fighting skills that would resolve the contest with Caellach suffering first a broken arm and then a broken neck. But as Everard attempted to leave the field with Tuck, there was a momentary reluctance by one of the Merry Men to let him leave. However, the Sheriff reminded them that God’s will was done in this matter, and he had earned their freedom. He doubted they would like the people to see God’s will be ignored. Marian conceded and the Sheriff and Tuck left the area.

Prices to be Paid

After taking their leave, Blackthorne reminded Tuck that he was no longer Sheriff and thus, not inclined to follow the rules of old. His loyalty would be for the people and not those privileged few. However, his assistance was not done for Tuck without cost. There would come a time that Everard would need Tuck’s assistance to defend the city. He would be expected to answer that call.

Next, the former Sheriff went to see Little John. He informed him that he knew that John was responsible for Gisbourne’s death. Whether he did the deed himself or gave the order, the result is the same. How long would it be before Marian realized he was working at cross purposes with her. Despite her need of him to control the Merry Men, what difference would it be if she couldn’t control him. In return for keeping his secret safe, Everard wanted John’s assistance to save Nottingham. Whether he would agree to that stipulation was in question.

So, deals were being offered, and plans made. The ultimate conflict was still on the horizon. The question would be would it start on the inside or the outside.

Thoughts

One only thinks of Game of Thrones for the concept of “Trial by Combat.” It was popular method of resolving guilt or innocence in George RR Martin’s world. More often than not, one of the combatants in that saga needed a champion to fight in their stead. In GOT, it was Lord Tyrian Lannister, the Imp who needed a proxy. In Nottingham, it was Friar Tuck who decide to invoke this right and name his champion

The difference between the two was that Tyrian’s champions agreed to that position. Whether it be Bronn or Oberyn Martell. The poor Sheriff had no such opportunity to decide on his own. He was thrust into that position and felt he had no choice but to agree. Fortunately for Tuck, Everard was so strong and skilled. I doubt that anyone else would have fought for him. A fact that he relied on by naming Blackthorne. He was confident that his honor would compel him to accept. Huge gamble. Especially since he had no idea who Marian would choose to fight.

Speaking of gambles, Everard is placing a large wager on depending on either Friar Tuck or Little John to come to his aid when called. Despite any debts he believes they might owe, neither one of them are particularly trustworthy. I sometimes think the Sheriff thinks everyone he deals with is as honorable as he is. Bzzzzz…wrong answer. But perhaps I will be proven wrong. The Nottingham creative team is certainly not above throwing a twist into their narrative. It’s part of what makes Nottingham fun to follow.

Shane Connery Volk Wins Again

I would remiss if I didn’t mention the brilliant work done by Shane Connery Volk in the Trial by Combat panels. This was combat at its dirtiest and most brutal. Even the panel lines reflected the energy and uncontrolled fury of the contest. Lines going from thick to thin, maintaining the frenzy of combat. No dance like sword moves in this trial. Every blow meant to separate something. Usually, an arm or a leg. Huge ham-like hands clawed at each other’s face with deadly intentions. All the way to the bloody end in concert with Luca Romano and Justin Birch’s contributions. That is Nottingham at its ferocious glory! Well done.

Mad Cave Studios Nottingham #12 by David Hazan, Shane Connery Volk, Luca Romano and Justin Birch is available now where great comics are sold.