Published On: 2022-09-07 by Boom Studios
Artist: Dan Mora
Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Catch-up on Last Issue
Last issue, in Once and Future #28, Mary put Bridgette’s master plan in motion. Fate got in the way twisting time for Bridgette and Duncan who arrive a week later. Fingers crossed they could only push forward with the plan hoping everyone else filled their roles.
In This Issue of Once and Future 29
Last issue (Once and Future #28), Grace put in motion a plan to fix the story magic bleeding into reality. While we knew there was a plan, we couldn’t have expected the full breadth of it. She’s been working on an entirely different level three steps ahead of her enemies (and the reader). Duncan is pulled along for the ride. Lancelot matures as a magical character this issue showing an awareness of the story magic itself. Previously we’ve only seen this with Merlin who we found out last issue was the source of the story magic (and once human).
What Else Happens in this Comic?
Rose has always been a quiet mystery in Once and Future. Sure, we know she’s Duncan’s girlfriend. She grew into their mystical handler and eventually a Merry Man. Who is she really and what role does she have to play in Bridgette’s masterplan?
How's Once and Future 29's Writing?
The Dialogue
Bridgette doesn’t appear in Once and Future 29 until mid-issue, but the moment she does you can tell the dialogue is pure Bridgette. She has a sarcastic wit that colors everything she says. It’s a joy to read every word and every line.
Showing Versus Telling
Every page and every panel are about showing us exactly what’s happening this issue. We move from big moment to big moment with the action moving quickly. The plot device of the issue involves previously unknown character information. We’re fed those details as part of the action.
Comic Art Review
Character acting has always been a strong point, but it was really noticeable with this issue. Dan Mora is a master at the facial expression. Look at the Green Knight! His face screams ‘shall we play’ with gleeful delight at another challenger. The single splash pages need special mention for Once and Future #29. There are amy ‘wow’ moments in this issue and each on is dialed up to ten with a full page, giant, powerful image to sell it.
Capes could be seen as a boring cloth hanging from the shoulder of the characters. For an illustration master like Dan Mora, the character’s capes become an illustrative element. In the second ‘wow’ moment, Rose’s cape is way more than a piece of cloth. It’s a panel border. It’s energy and dynamic captured visually all pulling you to the primary figure of the panel. The same can also be said of Arthur’s cape which often forms huge bat wings.
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- Once And Future 29 Cover
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- Once And Future 29 Cover Alt
On the Cover
On the cover for Once and Future #29, we have part 2 of the interconnecting covers by series regular Dan Mora. Our alternate cover is by Nick Robles. It is filled with many Easter Egg symbols from the overall story.
The Comic Panel by Panel
One of the first big ‘wow’ moments was how Rose survives the fight with the Green Knight. When you get to that full page panel, pull yourself out of the story and look at the panels on the page. There’s a strong diagonal from upper right to lower left. It’s accentuated by the size and postion of the panels as we move through this story beat ending on the solution to Rose’s problem. It’s storytelling perfection.
World Building
– Bath, Otherworld
– River Lethe, Otherworld
– London, Otherworld
Hear the King Arthur
Read the King Arthur
Who's In This Issue of Once and Future 29
- Rose's mom
- The Green Knight
- Classic King Arthur
- Merlin
- Rose
- Bridgette
- Duncan
- Gorgon
- Mary
The Big Question for Next Issue
If Merlin becomes the villain of another story, can he find his way back to Arthur?
Wear the King Arthur
Shall we play a game?!
Who Will Like Once and Future 29?
If you’ve never read Once and Future and can tolerate not knowing everything that’s happening, Once and Future #29 may be the best issue of the series so far. It may not be the best jumping on point, but it will give you everything that makes this series a ‘must-read’ every month.
I Need More Content like Once and Future 29
To really appreciate Once and Future #29, there are many previous issues that would help fill out the story.
- Once and Future #12 features Grendel’s mother
- Once and Future #13 introduced us to the Green Knight
- Once and Future #21 was the first appearance of the Gorgon and Rose’s parents.
Should You Buy This Comic Book?
Once and Future had more unexpected twists and turns than any comic I've read in a very long time. Every page turn was followed by a 'no way'. It was an amazing read that ratcheted up the energy and expectation we have moving toward the series finale. If you haven't bought Once and Future #29 yet, what are you waiting for? Grab it today.