Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary blog to the ODPH Podcast. On this edition, we’re continuing to check out one of my favorite books out: Once & Future by BOOM! Studios. What an absolute wild story inside these page. Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, & Ed Dukeshire have been talking readers on such a creative trip mixing in the mythos of King Arthur with unique twists that make this saga all their own. Issue #23 is hitting the shelves this week so lets see what the latest happenings are going on here, shall we?

ONCE AND FUTURE #23 - On sale December 29th
Creative: Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, & Ed Dukeshire (Cover by Dan Mora)
Credit: Boom! Studios

*** POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING ***

The issue opens up with Bridgette having a long standoff (via sniper rifle) with Nimue. This is not the typical Mother-Daughter relationship but would we expect anything “normal” here? Duncan & Rose can only just sit back and watch all this unfold. It’s a very dramatic sequence of events that carry through to an unlikely conclusion. Nimue’s story is gonna be one to keep an eye on in the future.

The rest of the issue is a wild trip through this mysterious world. Where else do you see Giants, magical creatures & knights of the round table all under one narrative? As for our heroes, we get left with an introduction to a new character that readers will have to guess whose side they’re on.

Gillen delivers on another solid adventure in this book. The standoff between Bridgette and her daughter drove this issue. Not as many wild battle scenes as recent issues have had, but the character moments between these two were very noteworthy. Readers are also treated to some imaginative storytelling as well. Any time we have a crazed giant, a deadly flying insect & magic beans in a sequence, it always jumps off the page. Few can pull it off as well as Gillen does.

Mora crushes it on the art duties yet again. The standoff panels where readers see Bridgette thru the scope is a very catching piece. It adds to the dramatic standoff. The side stories also are presented very strong. From the Knights “hunt” to the last page introduction, Mora keeps the story moving & gives each side story time to shine and stand-out on its own.

Once & Future #23 continues on its’ unique story & builds with great character moments. There’s many tales being told here and readers are in for a treat when they pick up this series. Make it a point to grab this issue from your LCS & check out the back issues as well. Once & Future is very consistent on delivering a quality book while being extremely open to flip narratives to create something original.

Let me know what you think of Once & Future #23 on Twitter. As always, thanks for reading.

Once And Future #23 (Boom! Studios)

Ken M