Nottingham Vol.1: Death and Taxes – TPB

Writer: David Hazan

Artist: Shane Connery Volk

Colorist: Luca Romano

Letterer: Joamette Gil

Editors: Chris Fernandez & Brian Hawkins

Logo Design: Miguel Angel Zapata

Book Designers: Diana Bermúdez & David Reyes

Plot:

Nottingham at the time of the Holy Crusades is a very dark place. Whilst King Richard the Lion Heart is away in the Holy Lands fighting one battle, the people of Nottingham and the surrounding areas are fighting another.

The Sheriff of Nottingham is on a crusade of his own, to fight against those calling themselves the ‘Merry Men’, a group of mask-wearing vigilantes and assassins who stop at nothing to steal the riches from England’s noble population, led by a man they call ‘Hood’.

Despite his best efforts, The Sheriff is no closer to uncovering the identity of ‘Hood’ but as events begin to unfold, the pieces start falling into place, and soon, all will know Hood’s identity.

Story:

As someone who was born in Nottingham and raised on stories of Robin Hood, I can tell you absolute certainty that there is no Robin Hood story quite like this one. It’s dark and twisted and yet has all of the classic tropes of the common folklore whilst giving us something fresh and inspired.

The masks that the Merry Men wear are terrifyingly brilliant, the character designs feel unique, and the plot overall has some great twists, as well as some dark turning points that really leave the reader wanting more. It’s a Robin Hood story unlike any other and I hope we get to read more from this visionary team behind it.

Art:

The art is very detailed, with thick sketch lines that bring out the definitions of a character’s features, be it The Sheriff’s wrinkled and scarred face, or the battered, bloodied, and bruised faces of those who cross him. The art in this series really puts the graphic back into graphic novel, because whilst it may not be guts dropping to the floor, the level of detail on a swollen, bleeding and bruised injury is incredible!

Conclusion:

I was late to the party with this one, but my gosh what a party it is. This has got to be one of the best re-imaginings of a story that I have read. Just when you think you’ve seen all you can see from a Robin Hood story, the team over at Mad Cave comes along and delivers this incredibly well-designed, action-packed adventure that really makes you question who the hero of the story really is.

Nottingham, Volume 1. TPB is available to buy now from your local comic book stores and online! So grab it while you can because the story continues this year with issue six!