lkb0154's review
3.0
This is a dark version of the tale of Robinhood. While the story is straightforward, the artwork and story are both delightful. I assume there is another one coming after this due to the cliffhanger. It was not life-changing, and some of the fonts are difficult to read. However, if you want a quick and simple read, this comic will do.
I received a free copy and decided to give an honest review.
I received a free copy and decided to give an honest review.
dryden's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
nialiterally's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
biblioellegraphy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Nottingham is both exactly what I expected, and nothing like what I expected.
To be honest, I didn't look too much into before reading other than it was a graphic novel retelling of Robin Hood and at it's core, that is exactly what Nottingham is.
This first volume is dark, gritty, and pulls enough from the source material without being a rehashed/regurgitated version of the same old thing over and over.
The art style wasn't exactly my thing, but I did thoroughly enjoy the new take on such a well-known and recognisable tale.
To be honest, I didn't look too much into before reading other than it was a graphic novel retelling of Robin Hood and at it's core, that is exactly what Nottingham is.
This first volume is dark, gritty, and pulls enough from the source material without being a rehashed/regurgitated version of the same old thing over and over.
The art style wasn't exactly my thing, but I did thoroughly enjoy the new take on such a well-known and recognisable tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Blood
fallbetweenthepages's review
5.0
Thank you Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for this copy of Nottingham, a dark retelling of Robin Hood.
This comic really took me by surprise---not just the artwork, but the dark macabre style of plot itself. While many maybe familiar with the classic tale of Robin Hood, a vigilante who stole from the rich and gave to the poor; this story is anything but hopeful and full or romance. In this world, the Merrymen are not only thieves but a cult-like group who believe that the world is full of corruption and greed. As they carry out their duties of ridding Nottingham of corrupt lords and tax holders, they repeat a haunting mantra, a vow to cleanse those full of greed from the land in the name of Richard the Lionhart (the one they believe should be king).
The story starts off with Sheriff Blackthorne as he investigates gruesome murders he believes are committed by The Merrymen. He knows all too well what it feels like to be used by those in power, and has a drive to reveal who Robin Hood truly is. While being haunted with his past, Blackthorne continues on the dark road, even at the risk of death. Forget everything you know about the traditional Robin Hood story, because this will show readers a hidden more cruel aspect of human nature; as proven by the demonic mask the Merrymen wear.
As wild and gory this graphic novel was, I absolutely loved it and can't wait to see Blackthorne and Robin Hood face off.
5/5 stars!
This comic really took me by surprise---not just the artwork, but the dark macabre style of plot itself. While many maybe familiar with the classic tale of Robin Hood, a vigilante who stole from the rich and gave to the poor; this story is anything but hopeful and full or romance. In this world, the Merrymen are not only thieves but a cult-like group who believe that the world is full of corruption and greed. As they carry out their duties of ridding Nottingham of corrupt lords and tax holders, they repeat a haunting mantra, a vow to cleanse those full of greed from the land in the name of Richard the Lionhart (the one they believe should be king).
The story starts off with Sheriff Blackthorne as he investigates gruesome murders he believes are committed by The Merrymen. He knows all too well what it feels like to be used by those in power, and has a drive to reveal who Robin Hood truly is. While being haunted with his past, Blackthorne continues on the dark road, even at the risk of death. Forget everything you know about the traditional Robin Hood story, because this will show readers a hidden more cruel aspect of human nature; as proven by the demonic mask the Merrymen wear.
As wild and gory this graphic novel was, I absolutely loved it and can't wait to see Blackthorne and Robin Hood face off.
5/5 stars!
steve95's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
irayred's review against another edition
2.0
Do the words “steal from the rich to give to the poor” ring any bells for you? Well, Nottingham is a fast paced, grim dark re-telling of the noble Robin Hood.
Though, in here we see ‘Hood’ and his Merry Men killing tax collectors and power brokers, people who he thinks are rotting England from its core, whilst the sheriff is trying to catch him without caring of the people he will lose in doing so.
Despite the fact that the art is not quite my favorite, it is perfect for the grim dark tone of the story. We have a bunch of morally gray, unlikeable characters so this volume didn’t work for me like I thought it would.
Also I would only recommend this to people who don’t get triggered by explicit violent scenes. It is not meant to be read by a younger audience for sure.
I received an e-book copy in exchange for an honest review via Diamond Comic Distributors.
Though, in here we see ‘Hood’ and his Merry Men killing tax collectors and power brokers, people who he thinks are rotting England from its core, whilst the sheriff is trying to catch him without caring of the people he will lose in doing so.
Despite the fact that the art is not quite my favorite, it is perfect for the grim dark tone of the story. We have a bunch of morally gray, unlikeable characters so this volume didn’t work for me like I thought it would.
Also I would only recommend this to people who don’t get triggered by explicit violent scenes. It is not meant to be read by a younger audience for sure.
I received an e-book copy in exchange for an honest review via Diamond Comic Distributors.
critter's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure if I would like this one when I first started to read it, but I ended up really enjoying it. This is the start to a dark and violent version of Robin Hood, where it seems that nobody is good. I really liked how it handled the characters and I find the perspective focusing on the Sheriff to be interesting. This was a really exciting beginning in which it seems that you can't really trust anyone. I also liked that it had some focus in the historical aspect of this legend. I also appreciated that it seems to be commenting on vigilantism and harms that are being done to the common people in the way that this story is being told in this volume. Overall, this was really great and I would love to continue reading this series in the future.
I would like to thank Diamond Books for providing me with a copy.
I would like to thank Diamond Books for providing me with a copy.
ebbie_casuallereading's review
4.0
Love the angular style of the illustrations. Really really liked how it's unclear who's the good guy in the famous story retelling.
I feel like there's a parallel to be drawn at famous masked vigilantes, as there's usually a point where the question is asked about how they fight their fights: is it doing more harm than good? Spinning this kind of questioning on the Robin Hood tale is new to me and highly intriguing.
There's also a bit of a rehabilitation for the Sheriff I would say and I don't dislike it, even though I grew up being totally into Robin Hood while despising Guysbourne and the Sheriff. The angle chosen here is really interesting, and I'm looking forward to see where it goes. I would say it's a bit unclear what are the real motivations of the Sheriff still, on top of the simple one of doing his job. There might be a small paradox there as he says he genuinely cares for the innocents or the common folk, but it is not clearly shown through his actions.
It's a good introduction to what is to be a series, however I wonder how much juice there's still left to continue it for more than another volume or 2. Hopefully enough to go on for a little more because I'm truly engaged.
There's a metaphor drawn between 2 tales of sheeps, shepherd and wolf, and the story unfolding. I'm still unsure if it's genius or messy. For me, it didn't further my comprehension of what was to be the meaning behind the comparison, but left everything covered with more confusion. Not sure if that was the purpose or not. However, I feel that it would have been wiser to maybe just use one and leave the reader unsure has to who played what part instead of using the wolf and sheep drinking from the river tale in the mix, who isn't as strong a metaphor as the other one.
All in all, I really enjoyed myself reading it and with the illustrations being super nice and dramatic, I feel like it's the kind of comic book one would like to own.
I feel like there's a parallel to be drawn at famous masked vigilantes, as there's usually a point where the question is asked about how they fight their fights: is it doing more harm than good? Spinning this kind of questioning on the Robin Hood tale is new to me and highly intriguing.
There's also a bit of a rehabilitation for the Sheriff I would say and I don't dislike it, even though I grew up being totally into Robin Hood while despising Guysbourne and the Sheriff. The angle chosen here is really interesting, and I'm looking forward to see where it goes. I would say it's a bit unclear what are the real motivations of the Sheriff still, on top of the simple one of doing his job. There might be a small paradox there as he says he genuinely cares for the innocents or the common folk, but it is not clearly shown through his actions.
It's a good introduction to what is to be a series, however I wonder how much juice there's still left to continue it for more than another volume or 2. Hopefully enough to go on for a little more because I'm truly engaged.
There's a metaphor drawn between 2 tales of sheeps, shepherd and wolf, and the story unfolding. I'm still unsure if it's genius or messy. For me, it didn't further my comprehension of what was to be the meaning behind the comparison, but left everything covered with more confusion. Not sure if that was the purpose or not. However, I feel that it would have been wiser to maybe just use one and leave the reader unsure has to who played what part instead of using the wolf and sheep drinking from the river tale in the mix, who isn't as strong a metaphor as the other one.
All in all, I really enjoyed myself reading it and with the illustrations being super nice and dramatic, I feel like it's the kind of comic book one would like to own.
thenthomwaslike's review
4.0
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.com.
It is a grimdark fantasy retelling/remix of the Robinhood fairytale. I didn't want to like it. It's ugly, grimy, violent, cynical, with some edginess that feels forced. "Who needs to dirty up Robinhood?" I asked myself.
Nottingham provides the answer. It twists the story in inspired directions and is backed up by artwork and framing the evokes masterclass films and comics in the genre like Oldboy, V for Vendetta, and Gane of Thrones to produce a stylized England that doesn't shy away from who England was, and in some ways still is. Volume 1 wasn't perfect by any means, but it sets up a series with a ton of potential. Looking forward to following up with volume 2 as soon as possible.
It is a grimdark fantasy retelling/remix of the Robinhood fairytale. I didn't want to like it. It's ugly, grimy, violent, cynical, with some edginess that feels forced. "Who needs to dirty up Robinhood?" I asked myself.
Nottingham provides the answer. It twists the story in inspired directions and is backed up by artwork and framing the evokes masterclass films and comics in the genre like Oldboy, V for Vendetta, and Gane of Thrones to produce a stylized England that doesn't shy away from who England was, and in some ways still is. Volume 1 wasn't perfect by any means, but it sets up a series with a ton of potential. Looking forward to following up with volume 2 as soon as possible.