Published On: 2022-08-02 by Boom Studios
Artist: Dan Mora
Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Catch-up on Last Issue
In Once and Future #27, Mary saved her son soul, but lost his life. Vengeance on the Arthurs proves to be exactly what it takes to bring Mary and Bridgette together. Will their plan save the nation and put the story magic genie back in the bottle?
In This Issue of Once and Future #28
Mary and Bridgette hatch a plan to use the Arthurs against each other. The humans can’t defeat all of the magical armies, but they can trick one of the Arthur’s into working for them. While the Arthurs are fighting, Duncan, Rose and the Merry-men perform the ceremony to release King Lear and his magic forgetful rain. The Green Knight comes for Rose.
What Else Happens in this Comic?
We learn the origin of the story magic and Merlin’s angle in all of this. We’ve waited 28 issues to find out what Merlin was planning, and the pay-off was worth the wait. It looks like Merlin was the source of all the trouble. In his grief, Merlin bound Arthur to story magic and set in motion centuries of problems.
The Comic's Themes
Impulse control for the greater good. Mary has an opportunity to do something drastic, but let’s the moment go knowibg the next battle will be critical to the war.
Live the arthurian legend
Hero's Edge G-L09 Latex Rubber Foam Double Blade Battle Axe Larp
How's Once and Future #28's Writing?
The Dialogue
Merlin’s backstory is only three pages long, but it contains an novel’s worth of information. Merlin is so sad; a character caught up in his own web. His words are heart-wrenching.
The Vibe
This issue reminds me of the third-to-last episode of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer television show. We get a lot of emotional beats setting things up for the final confrontation.
Comic Art Review
Dan Mora is one of this generation’s rock star artists. This issue continues a long run of fabulous artwork and inspired character designs.
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- Once And Future 28 Cover
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- Once And Future 28 Cover Alt Yejin Park
On the Cover
Dan Mora drew the primary cover with many of our favorite Once and Future characters including Lancelot, Mary, Grendel and Robin Hood.
Yejin Park drew the incentive cover. I’m not sure where he was going with the design. It looks like Mary and Rose each split in half. It could be a metaphor for how the characters feel in this issue (although we aren’t given much of Rose’s inner dialogue to know). Maybe it is about how magic has torn apart their worlds.
The Comic Panel by Panel
The rest of the art team are also rock stars with colors by Tamra Bonvillain and with letters by Ed Dukeshire.
World Building
- The Middle of Nowhere, Otherworld
- Skeleton Arthur’s castle, Otherworld
- Parliament Square
- Bath, Otherworld
- London
Live the arthurian legend
Wear the arthurian legend
Airsoft Vest Vests Adjustable Tactical Molle Body Chest Protector Set Paintball Combat Gear
Who's In This Issue of Once and Future #28
- Rose
- Bridgette
- Duncan
- Mary
- King Lear
- Arthur (3)
- Merlin
- Ladies of the Lake
The Big Question for Next Issue
How do we undo the ending of this story?
Collect the arthurian legend
A king who would return. A king who would return to me.
Who Will Like Once and Future #28?
At this point in Once and Future, you are a super-fan of the creative team and the amazing world they have created. If you are new to Once and Future, it’s equal parts X-files and Arthurian legend. Start at the beginning of the series or this issue won’t make any sense to you.
I Need More Content like Once and Future #28
For more Dan Mora art, visit Character Design References.
What was I missing?
Who’s the metal and lava wannabe king that Bridgette blows up?
Should You Buy This Comic Book?
OMG on the cliffhanger this issue. It can't end like this! Be sure you're sitting down because the last panel of Once and Future #28 is going to knock you over.