Previously on ‘Tales from Nottingham’
In the first two Tales from Nottingham, we have learned some background about Aya the Hashashin and a tale from the past of Sheriff Blackthorne. For Issue 3, the focus shifts to that red-haired vixen Maid Marian. It had been hinted at in Nottingham about the trouble her father had gotten into and how it affected their family. In Issue 3, we learn the details of that event as told by writer Sabs Cooper and artist Federico Bertoni.
No Fair Damsel
While those in Nottingham call her “Maid” Marian, she is no fair damsel. She has been working on her combat skills from a young age. Under the tutelage of her father, Marian wants to be sure that she will never need a man to defend her. Sometimes that means knocking her father down a peg or two. But he would have it no other way. However, there are intrigues at work in Nottingham. Ones that entangle their family.
An Assassination Attempt
This is revealed in the beginning of the narrative. An attempt was made against the life of Prince John. The culprits were two of the Merry Men. One of those responsible was captured by the Sheriff. Revealed to be Ser Robert Fitzwalter, Marian’s father. But before justice could be served, Fitzwalter somehow escaped. Now the Sheriff wants to know where the criminal absconded to. Marian was present during the failed assassination attempt, and both Everard and Captain Dale suspect she knows something about her father’s disappearance. After locating her two days later, they bring her in for questioning.
Marian is Questioned
The Sheriff makes it clear from the start what could happen if it’s proven that Marian had anything to do with either the attempt on the prince’s life or her father’s escape. She would be burned at the stake for treason. However, if she tells them what she knows and proves her innocence, she would be let free. The choice was hers. They wanted to believe her. But she needed to convince them.
Marian’s Tale
It was there that Marian spun her tale. While the reader gets to see what actually happened, Marian’s interpretation of events is slanted for the benefit of the Sheriff and the Captain and her own protection. She had met with the prince at a recent gathering. At her father’s request. She had no idea what he had been planning and assumed this was just a way to get in Prince John’s good graces.
The Story VS the Truth
At least that is what she tells the Sheriff. In fact, she was aware of what her father was up to and that it was the Hood who had commanded him to participate. Marian questioned why HE was chosen for the task, when there were plenty of younger men available for the job. Her father explained that he agreed to task because of his convictions. What good were they if he didn’t stand up for them.
The Assault on Prince John
When the attack on Prince John commenced, Marian was held at knife point as Prince John avoided the initial assault and ran. As he scrambled, begging for help, Marian pushed her would be assailant and told him to get after the prince. Not that she told the Sheriff that. As far as he was concerned, she made it seem that she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was at that moment when Sheriff Blackthorne showed up to protect the prince and thwart the attack. But not without losing some men in the process. It was not in vain however as he captured the former Ser Fitzwalter.
Robert Fitzwalter’s Escape
As for his escape, Marian had a hand in that as well. Not that she told the Sheriff about it. In reality, it was the Hood’s intention of eliminating Fitzwalter before he could talk. It was the normal way of things for the merry men. However, Marian had put on the mask of the merry men and accompanied her father’s erstwhile assassin. Before he could strike, she plunged a blade through his back, revealing herself to her father to set him free.
To Go or to Stay
But it was his plan to run. To put as much distance between themselves and Nottingham as they can. However, for Marian, that would be unacceptable. Leave their family home? Not even an option. She urges him to go. She will remain to try to repair the damage his decision has caused. At that moment, a guard enters, his blade drawn. He knicks Marian’s arm with his sword. This would work to her advantage. she would call it an arrow wound during the Hood’s attack. Proof that she was just as much a victim as Prince John. Regardless, she had a guard to eliminate. She cut him through without a second thought. After all this, her father was reluctant to leave her. But Marian is adamant. He leaves her, making good his escape.
More Questions than Answers
Upon finishing her version of events, the Sheriff was still skeptical, and questions remained. Why did Hood have her father released? It was not his normal MO. In addition, if Marian was indeed just an innocent bystander with no knowledge of her father’s treachery, why did she hide? In this, Marian had an answer prepared. She assumed that Hood and his men would be after her. Because of this, she admitted to panicking. Deciding to stay at Sir Robert of Locksley’s estate. She had been hidden there for the last two days. He could verify this fact.
The Sheriff conceded that Locksley had already come to them to speak on her behalf. With his input and Marian’s story they reluctantly release her into Locksley’s care. Both Dale and Blackthorne find her story convenient. She had an answer for everything. Almost too prepared for every contingency. But without hard evidence, they had no choice but to allow her to go. Watching her climb in Locksley’s carriage.
An Opportunity
In the carriage, Marian expresses her dismay. This whole thing is “bloody mess.” Locksley seems unfazed by her venom. While things didn’t go as planned, there was still a way to resolve the situation. Prince John wants to see Marian at Fitzwalter Manor. For the time being, it is still her home. The prince wants her to plead her case, and to prove her loyalty. That provides an opportunity. A chance for Marian to do what her father failed to. Plunge the dagger that Locksley hands her in the prince’s chest.
Choices
She scoffs at his suggestion. He wants her to attempt to assassinate the prince in her own home, with his guard on high alert. That would be a suicide mission. She offers an alternative, as she places the dagger to HIS throat. Perhaps she will prove her loyalty to Prince John by bringing him the head of the Hood. Once again, he looks upon her with no dread on his face. She is the daughter of a traitor. Who would believe anything she says? Besides, if she doesn’t kill him, she will no doubt have to earn his favor in “other” ways. In her position, she would be better served not to alienate any allies she might get.
Thoughts
This is a great insight into the character of Marian as seen in Mad Cave’s Nottingham. In Cooper and Bertoni’s masterful telling, Marian learned early on that most of the men in her life saw her as a means to an end. Someone they could manipulate or “lord” their power over. It was why she was so enthusiastic to learn and master combat skills. She would make sure that no man would have the upper hand on her. Whether that be mentally or physically.
Nobility is Currency
Unfortunately, she also learned that being from a prominent family was currency. Currency that was spent when her father was captured and had his land and titles stripped from him. Somehow, she would need to overcome this and make her own way. Perhaps even become master of Nottingham. All she needed was her intellect and some dullard men who underestimate her. Thankfully, to her way of thinking, there are plenty of those in Nottingham and in Sherwood Forest. All she needs to do is persuade them to do her bidding. Through any means necessary.
A Unique Look at Nottingham
Part of the beauty of the Tales of Nottingham series is the opportunity for the new creators at Mad Cave to work with the established characters of David Hazan’s Nottingham. Each have been allowed to explore the characters with their own vision while also building the narrative ahead of Hazan and Connery Volk’s third volume in the series. In this issue, the team of Cooper and Bertoni met the challenge and killed it. Bertoni captured the power players in Marian’s saga with a unique look while still maintaining the gritty dynamic that Volk has imbued Nottingham with throughout the series. At the same time, Cooper continued to make Marian what she has been since the series beginning: A Bad Ass.
Mad Cave Studios Tales from Nottingham, Issue 3 by Sabs Cooper, Federico Bertoni, Rebecca Nalty, and Chas! Pangburn is available now on the Mad Cave Subscription site and where great digital comics are sold.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
