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Once & Future (Collected Editions)
Once & Future, Vol. 4: Monarchies in the UK
Bridgette, Duncan, and Rose fight to rescue the entirety of Britain from the Otherworld, and itself, in this fourth chapter of the Hugo and Eisner Award nominated series!
WAR OF THE KINGS!
Bridgette, Duncan, and Rose, – along with the entirety of Britain – are dragged into the Otherworld. It's a land of predatory monsters and things seem like they can't get any worse.
Of course they can. A rival king rises to confront Arthur, plunging the land into civil war... and both pursue Bridgette, Duncan and Rose as they travel across the land, desperately trying to find a way to return Britain to its senses...
New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen joins Russ Manning Award winning artist Dan Mora, and colorist Tamra Bonvillain present the next chapter in the Hugo and Eisner Award nominated series.
Collects Once & Future #19-24.
WAR OF THE KINGS!
Bridgette, Duncan, and Rose, – along with the entirety of Britain – are dragged into the Otherworld. It's a land of predatory monsters and things seem like they can't get any worse.
Of course they can. A rival king rises to confront Arthur, plunging the land into civil war... and both pursue Bridgette, Duncan and Rose as they travel across the land, desperately trying to find a way to return Britain to its senses...
New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen joins Russ Manning Award winning artist Dan Mora, and colorist Tamra Bonvillain present the next chapter in the Hugo and Eisner Award nominated series.
Collects Once & Future #19-24.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2022
36 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Kieron Gillen
1,461 books1,891 followersKieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
April 25, 2022
Took me an issue or two to get back into the story, but once I did it was entertaining.
There's a lot going on here and it's getting hard to keep track of all of the characters, to be quite honest. It almost feels like you need a degree in folklore to get some of the references in this, and I think it would be good if Gillen remembered that his audience may not be as well-versed as he is in the subjects.
Or maybe I'm just dumb.<--not outside the realm of possibility.
Either way, once I was a few issues in, the action started up and I got swept up in the story. And once again, Bridgette was my favorite character.
She's old and cranky and no-nonsense and she's fucked up a lot of the relationships in her life, but she's still plugging along doing whatever it is that needs to be done to save the world.
If you've been reading this series you already know there's some relationship drama with her daughter. But we're 4 volumes in and we still don't know exactly what happened between them to cause such a rift? OR what caused her daughter to turn to the dark side?
I really feel a complete explanation of this shit needs to be forthcoming quick-like.
Now that the stories are out in the open (at least where our characters are) it's a supernatural storybook war zone with all of these dangerous characters from folklore popping up and eating folks. Again, sometimes I was a bit lost as to who was what, but for the most part, the new additions are recognizable.
However, this was (for whatever reason) my least favorite addition. I'm hoping this isn't indicative of the quality of the story starting to slip.
There's a lot going on here and it's getting hard to keep track of all of the characters, to be quite honest. It almost feels like you need a degree in folklore to get some of the references in this, and I think it would be good if Gillen remembered that his audience may not be as well-versed as he is in the subjects.
Or maybe I'm just dumb.<--not outside the realm of possibility.
Either way, once I was a few issues in, the action started up and I got swept up in the story. And once again, Bridgette was my favorite character.
She's old and cranky and no-nonsense and she's fucked up a lot of the relationships in her life, but she's still plugging along doing whatever it is that needs to be done to save the world.
If you've been reading this series you already know there's some relationship drama with her daughter. But we're 4 volumes in and we still don't know exactly what happened between them to cause such a rift? OR what caused her daughter to turn to the dark side?
I really feel a complete explanation of this shit needs to be forthcoming quick-like.
Now that the stories are out in the open (at least where our characters are) it's a supernatural storybook war zone with all of these dangerous characters from folklore popping up and eating folks. Again, sometimes I was a bit lost as to who was what, but for the most part, the new additions are recognizable.
However, this was (for whatever reason) my least favorite addition. I'm hoping this isn't indicative of the quality of the story starting to slip.
June 8, 2022
All of Britain has been sucked into Otherworld. There's still a ton of action. The art is great. Gillen does expect the reader to have a degree in ancient British lore though. I know a lot of mythology and some of this still escaped me. Also not sure why there are multiple Arthurs running around. It may have been explained in the previous volume but, if so, I've forgotten. Still, this is fun even without knowing every reference. I do wish there was a concordance in the back though.
March 30, 2022
This series continues to delight. We are contemplating a monthly shipment of pastries to Gillen and Mora to ensure that they continue to create new issues. Please let me know if you would like to join us in this important endeavor.
April 21, 2022
This comic is kind of starting to lose me but then again maybe thats the aim and introduce more intrigue and mystery and make it epic.
So now that the world as we know has been pulled in otherworld, the humans have to survive and we follow them as they attempt to do so and well its kind of funny and we see Rose meet her parents and all and then more creatures/beasts from myth come into play like Gorgon and then there are knights and the big twist with more people claiming to be King Arthur and thus the battle of the Arthurs begin and well its kind of intriguing and awesome at the same time and changes everything.
Wow what a volume and like its sort of confusing but has those human moments in the middle of this crazy world that pulls you in like the moment between the 3 or them going to Shakespeare's place and its insane how the writer included even him and more battles and monsters and mayhem and King lear maybe? But that ending with omg I am in now! That last page reveal has me interested now! Plus the art of Mora just gets better with every volume! <3!
So now that the world as we know has been pulled in otherworld, the humans have to survive and we follow them as they attempt to do so and well its kind of funny and we see Rose meet her parents and all and then more creatures/beasts from myth come into play like Gorgon and then there are knights and the big twist with more people claiming to be King Arthur and thus the battle of the Arthurs begin and well its kind of intriguing and awesome at the same time and changes everything.
Wow what a volume and like its sort of confusing but has those human moments in the middle of this crazy world that pulls you in like the moment between the 3 or them going to Shakespeare's place and its insane how the writer included even him and more battles and monsters and mayhem and King lear maybe? But that ending with omg I am in now! That last page reveal has me interested now! Plus the art of Mora just gets better with every volume! <3!
April 13, 2022
2.5 stars. Reading this volume was the least fun I’ve had with this series. There’s something about Gillen’s writing. I can’t put my finger on it but for some reason I have a hard time retaining what I’ve read. I remember going into volume 2, I reread vol 1. I went into vol 3 with no reread and was lost for the first half of the book. Same here. I can’t tell you what’s going on. Then, maybe since I’m not caught up in the story since I’m kind of lost, I’m noticing this is starting to get repetitive. Go this secret place, get this special thing and take to this hidden location, wash, rinse, repeat. Plus grandma’s dialogue is hard to follow at times with all her England slang and the way she talks. At least the art and the colors remain outstanding. Maybe at some point I’ll start back at the beginning and read it straight through and maybe have a different take.
February 24, 2023
Thus book had it all. Roles revealed, family ties, and civil war. I love all the legond/stories, coming together in this book. I was wondering after the last book where the story was going to from there but I am happy and excited what happened here.
Otherworld is her, the secrets are out and monsters are unleashed. The only thing going for the heroes is the monsters are just as likely to turn on each other.
I really do like the way thing came together in thus book. I can also say I have hit of a bias yo the Gina legond that appeared at the end. I can't wait to see east happens next.
Otherworld is her, the secrets are out and monsters are unleashed. The only thing going for the heroes is the monsters are just as likely to turn on each other.
I really do like the way thing came together in thus book. I can also say I have hit of a bias yo the Gina legond that appeared at the end. I can't wait to see east happens next.
May 1, 2022
3.5🌟
I have high hopes for this series, but I can't ignore how difficult it is for me to follow along at times. I'm still liking the snappy dialogue and Gillens rolladex of one liners. The style and look of the book is fantastic also. I'm hoping the next volume is a winner.
I have high hopes for this series, but I can't ignore how difficult it is for me to follow along at times. I'm still liking the snappy dialogue and Gillens rolladex of one liners. The style and look of the book is fantastic also. I'm hoping the next volume is a winner.
April 15, 2022
Still a good story though maybe rounded down to 3.5.
The comic really does not need more new characters. It does not need more Kings or sidekicks as it just kind of feels like padding (or loss of focus). I mean it is well written but still left me with the feeling since they have a popular comic that the creative team is trying to make the most of it.
The comic really does not need more new characters. It does not need more Kings or sidekicks as it just kind of feels like padding (or loss of focus). I mean it is well written but still left me with the feeling since they have a popular comic that the creative team is trying to make the most of it.
September 5, 2023
Monsters have now infiltrated the entire U.K. and it is up to Gran, Duncan and Rose to save everyone from the deadly Otherworld!
This fourth volume brings in even more English folklore and legends, mixing and matching stories and eras so readers won’t know what to expect next. In addition to a reanimated King Arthur and Merlin, we get Yvain and his lion, the giant from Jack and the Beanstack, a gorgon, evil fairies, Shakespeare’s writings and lastly another version of Arthur and Merlin.
Now that the Otherworld is out in the open, reality and fantasy have become co-mingled, with other neighboring countries none the wiser as to what is really happening in the U.K. Our three heroes try to save their friends and family while battling new creatures when Duncan’s mother Mary shows up. Her unresolved issues with Gran always complicate matters, and she teeters on the edge of good and evil. Both Gran and Mary manipulate people and situations that will help them win, but at this point, I want to know exactly what happened between this mother and daughter to cause their bitter fallout.
The art remains a strength with amazing monsters and fantasy landscapes. The lettering and location titles helped keep some details straight. The floating orbs that were previously a clue that magic was moving into the regular world and they should be wary of are now everywhere. My favorite ginger Duncan is now more battle-weary, and his new beard suits him.
While author Kieron Gillen is obviously an expert in English stories, I believe the average reader will become as muddled as I am. While this series is still very intriguing, the warped mythology is in danger of becoming too confusing. However, because the first three volumes were so excellent, I’m hoping future volumes will get back on track, plus I’m intrigued as to how the new character on the last page will tie into the narrative.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2022/05/2...
This fourth volume brings in even more English folklore and legends, mixing and matching stories and eras so readers won’t know what to expect next. In addition to a reanimated King Arthur and Merlin, we get Yvain and his lion, the giant from Jack and the Beanstack, a gorgon, evil fairies, Shakespeare’s writings and lastly another version of Arthur and Merlin.
Now that the Otherworld is out in the open, reality and fantasy have become co-mingled, with other neighboring countries none the wiser as to what is really happening in the U.K. Our three heroes try to save their friends and family while battling new creatures when Duncan’s mother Mary shows up. Her unresolved issues with Gran always complicate matters, and she teeters on the edge of good and evil. Both Gran and Mary manipulate people and situations that will help them win, but at this point, I want to know exactly what happened between this mother and daughter to cause their bitter fallout.
The art remains a strength with amazing monsters and fantasy landscapes. The lettering and location titles helped keep some details straight. The floating orbs that were previously a clue that magic was moving into the regular world and they should be wary of are now everywhere. My favorite ginger Duncan is now more battle-weary, and his new beard suits him.
While author Kieron Gillen is obviously an expert in English stories, I believe the average reader will become as muddled as I am. While this series is still very intriguing, the warped mythology is in danger of becoming too confusing. However, because the first three volumes were so excellent, I’m hoping future volumes will get back on track, plus I’m intrigued as to how the new character on the last page will tie into the narrative.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2022/05/2...
March 12, 2022
More insanity as the stories and legends of the UK take on new life, with not one but two versions of King Arthur battling it out for supremacy. This book has grown far larger than I ever expected it would in both issue count and breadth of storytelling, and I'm grateful for every beautifully rendered page of it that we get.
March 29, 2023
"You know SHUSHING is loud don't you?"
"All Fairies are Bastards!"
*With the exception of ones who help you kill Giants.
Currently one of the most enjoyable ongoing series out there..Great mix of UK legends..monsters..battles and fun..
"All Fairies are Bastards!"
*With the exception of ones who help you kill Giants.
Currently one of the most enjoyable ongoing series out there..Great mix of UK legends..monsters..battles and fun..
September 6, 2022
This is fucking delightful. Each volume is better and better. Once again, I can’t wait for another one.
June 15, 2022
Hovered between three and four stars on this one. A whole lot gets introduced: new human characters and far too many characters from stories. Most of both categories are barely used. A volume of mostly set up? But still, Dan Mora's art is the savior here. What a beautiful book. Gets lost in the woods perhaps but I'm still in for the series.
April 2, 2022
4.5 stars
O&F continues to be a thrilling action ride that finds so many clever ways to include tons of literary myth from the cultures that have historically lived in what’s now the UK, all while also being one of the most spectacularly drawn and colored and lettered comics around. I still don’t have much of an emotional connection to this story, which makes me doubtful that I’m still into this series every time I jump back into its world, but then the plot kicks into high gear and I remember what it does so uniquely well and why I keep coming back.
O&F continues to be a thrilling action ride that finds so many clever ways to include tons of literary myth from the cultures that have historically lived in what’s now the UK, all while also being one of the most spectacularly drawn and colored and lettered comics around. I still don’t have much of an emotional connection to this story, which makes me doubtful that I’m still into this series every time I jump back into its world, but then the plot kicks into high gear and I remember what it does so uniquely well and why I keep coming back.
May 17, 2022
As with the 3rd volume of the series, the illustrations of Dan Mora are exceptional and the action scenes are quite satisfying.
However, the story becomes even more complicated with more new characters being introduced, even at this point in the story, and different versions of Arthurs and Merlins get thrown in the mix, making the final result a confusing mess.
However, the story becomes even more complicated with more new characters being introduced, even at this point in the story, and different versions of Arthurs and Merlins get thrown in the mix, making the final result a confusing mess.
April 11, 2023
Do yourselves a favor kids, read these close together or at least brush up on what happened in the last volume before you jump into the next one. There are just a lot of threads to keep hold of.
That said, this is a bonkers ride now that all of the UK has been sucked into Otherworld and it's a real race toward oblivion. There are dueling Arthurs, many Merlins, call backs to earlier volumes, and it's a fight for survival.
Artist Dan Mora and colorist Tamra Bonvillain are still doing outstanding work here and the style really pulls off the tick of introducing multiple realities in one place. I'm looking forward to seeing what twists Gillen still has waiting for the conclusion because this one has built to a pretty perilous point.
That said, this is a bonkers ride now that all of the UK has been sucked into Otherworld and it's a real race toward oblivion. There are dueling Arthurs, many Merlins, call backs to earlier volumes, and it's a fight for survival.
Artist Dan Mora and colorist Tamra Bonvillain are still doing outstanding work here and the style really pulls off the tick of introducing multiple realities in one place. I'm looking forward to seeing what twists Gillen still has waiting for the conclusion because this one has built to a pretty perilous point.
March 27, 2022
This story is truly getting bonkers, which is saying something about a tale where stories come to life and are now fighting each other. We now have two versions of King Arthur clashing over who is the King Arthurest, as well as other myths and legends cavorting about. And a certain famous bard was also a monster Hunter, turns out. That plays a part. (Heh, pun.)
This has become like a bull ride: you can’t direct it, you can’t predict it, you can only hang on and hope to finish out your nine seconds without getting trampled.
This has become like a bull ride: you can’t direct it, you can’t predict it, you can only hang on and hope to finish out your nine seconds without getting trampled.
July 1, 2022
I read these books with limited investment, which is to say I don’t care that much and I may forget the fine plot details from one book to the next, but they are fun. Oodles of fun and Dan Mora’s art just really knocks it out of the park.
The plot is actually quite decent – with King Arthur and his knights reimagined as nightmarish creatures determined to take over the world. From the Otherworld. There are other realms, tons of action and wild, wild, wild imagery.
Plus, you got the best grandma a boy can ask for. And a boy (well, a man, really) who asked for none of it and still got stuck saving the world.
Gorgeous and entertaining, this is an all-around fun adventure. Can’t believe this is the same person who did The Wicked and Divine which is practically unreadable in its tediousness (and I tried, at least two books). Guess he matured. Anyway, yeah, bright and bombastic. Fight the knights, fight the night, save the world. All that. Ok.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
The plot is actually quite decent – with King Arthur and his knights reimagined as nightmarish creatures determined to take over the world. From the Otherworld. There are other realms, tons of action and wild, wild, wild imagery.
Plus, you got the best grandma a boy can ask for. And a boy (well, a man, really) who asked for none of it and still got stuck saving the world.
Gorgeous and entertaining, this is an all-around fun adventure. Can’t believe this is the same person who did The Wicked and Divine which is practically unreadable in its tediousness (and I tried, at least two books). Guess he matured. Anyway, yeah, bright and bombastic. Fight the knights, fight the night, save the world. All that. Ok.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
March 26, 2022
How can this book keeps getting better and better ? I don’t know, but I’m all for it !
Read
June 28, 2025no me creo que vayan a ganar gracias al girl power y a robin hood
September 23, 2022
All of England has been pulled into Otherworld, the magic-fantasy version, where King Arthur and Merlin and all associated are real, along with faeries, dragons, giants, etc. Everyone's just trying to survive the war between the Arthurs (one is the English version, one a version out of northern France, I think) and Gran, Duncan, and Bridgette are on a couple of missions, to save Bridgette's parents, stuck in Bath (which is full of its own folklore), and then raid a certain somebody's magic arsenal. All this and the introduction of yet another hero of British folklore near the end. A lot is going on and it moves quickly. The artwork by Dan Mora continues to be a highlight. Really enjoying this series so far.
October 5, 2023
I feel really bad for Galahad. I never thought I would say that, especially in this story. But honestly: he is what he is, because they (his mother, Arthur, Merlin) made him that way. And it definitely sucks to be him. I like that Rose is becoming more of a badass, but I would like to see Duncan step up a bit more, not just in the fighting, he's fine there. But he's a bit clueless and I'm like, SURELY you can figure some of this out, my good sir!
May 3, 2022
If you take the vibes of the dude who plays the guitar that spews fire from Mad Max: Fury Road and pair it with the bibliography for a graduate school paper on Arthurian myth, you'll probably end up with something like Once & Future. Which is a very good thing, just in case you missed that subtext.
It feels like this volume is the culmination of the comic Gillen has wanted to write since the series started. It's silly, serious, funny, and gory in equal measures. The narrative has settled into a comfortable rhythm that balances the deep-cut references with crowd-pleasing moments that keep the momentum moving. Mora's art and Bonvillain's colors are as excellent as they've ever been, and it's especially fun seeing them get to lean harder than ever into the fantastical elements with this entry. Some of the larger-scale action sequences can get difficult to find your way around, but Bonvillain's colors ensure that even the most chaotic pages are a vibrant mob pit of colorful violence.
The narrative events that occur here don't carry serious consequences (yet), as you can feel Gillen laying the foundation for what seems to be the next major thrust of the series. But that groundwork is still a blast to read for all the reasons listed above, and I continue to be ravenous for more.
It feels like this volume is the culmination of the comic Gillen has wanted to write since the series started. It's silly, serious, funny, and gory in equal measures. The narrative has settled into a comfortable rhythm that balances the deep-cut references with crowd-pleasing moments that keep the momentum moving. Mora's art and Bonvillain's colors are as excellent as they've ever been, and it's especially fun seeing them get to lean harder than ever into the fantastical elements with this entry. Some of the larger-scale action sequences can get difficult to find your way around, but Bonvillain's colors ensure that even the most chaotic pages are a vibrant mob pit of colorful violence.
The narrative events that occur here don't carry serious consequences (yet), as you can feel Gillen laying the foundation for what seems to be the next major thrust of the series. But that groundwork is still a blast to read for all the reasons listed above, and I continue to be ravenous for more.
April 16, 2022
W*rr*n *ll*s, during a drunken ramble in front of a (paying) crowd mentioned something about Neil Gaiman and sturries. Amusing for a guy who is well known for a fanfic maxi series.
Anyway. The Sturries thing is annoying as fuck. But stories about sturries (just put “meta” in front of any term for a narrative, including narrative) are just way too much my shit. So Once and Future, where a granny raises her own brood of myth/hunters just draws me in. I could have reread the first few books in the series but I read them through Hoopla and that’s three credits so it’s a bit much. Enjoyable, anyways, and ends on a good enough cliffhanger I’m annoyed at having to wait for the next one.
Ah, sturries. I wish I could quit you.
Anyway. The Sturries thing is annoying as fuck. But stories about sturries (just put “meta” in front of any term for a narrative, including narrative) are just way too much my shit. So Once and Future, where a granny raises her own brood of myth/hunters just draws me in. I could have reread the first few books in the series but I read them through Hoopla and that’s three credits so it’s a bit much. Enjoyable, anyways, and ends on a good enough cliffhanger I’m annoyed at having to wait for the next one.
Ah, sturries. I wish I could quit you.
April 13, 2022
This volume was more of the same, which is nothing but positive: a fun read, plenty of action, and Bridgette.
Now that everyone knows about the 'other' world, fairies and legends inhabit every corner, and every page... including an abundance of Kings Arthurs, and some other new interesting characters that come aboard, even if just at the very end.
Now that everyone knows about the 'other' world, fairies and legends inhabit every corner, and every page... including an abundance of Kings Arthurs, and some other new interesting characters that come aboard, even if just at the very end.
May 1, 2022
We're already on vol 4 and Gillen keeps adding new twists and turns. The different versions of Arthur and his knights may confuse readers but the core characters are solid as ever as are the pencils and coloring.
October 28, 2022
If you're even remotely interested in medieval or Renaissance literature/history but also sarcastic grandmas, do yourself a favor and pick this up. The art style is absolutely stunning and I will not rest until I can find art prints.
October 10, 2024
This title is fun all around however you would have to be following it all along. Can't pick up vol. 4 and expect to know what's going on. Great colorful art, and love all the characters so far even if it's two of everything: Arthurs, Merlins, Lancelots... And we cliffhanger (spoilers) Robin Hood.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews