Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Once & Future #4 Review
    Review

    Once & Future #4 Review

    Ingrid Lind-JahnBy Ingrid Lind-JahnNovember 21, 20195 Mins Read

    Plans set in motion years ago are snowballing into action. Can Duncan and Rose keep up with the quest? Find out in this Major Spoilers Review of Once & Future #4 from BOOM! Studios.

    Once and Future #4 ReviewONCE & FUTURE #4

    Writer: Kieron Gillen
    Artist: Dan Mora
    Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
    Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
    Editor: Matt Gagnon
    Publisher: BOOM! Studios
    Cover Price: $3.99
    Release Date: November 20, 2019

    Previously in Once & Future: Duncan and his Gran, Bridgette, made it to the Otherworld in time to see Elaine cast a spell to raise Arthur (yes, that Arthur). They’re discovered and must flee, but not before Bridgette literally blows things up. Elaine convinces Arthur that they must go after the Grail. Gran, meanwhile, needs a historian to help their cause. Fortunately, Duncan’s date from issue #1, Rose, is a historian, and Bridgette convinces her to come along and help them. Next stop is Bath Abbey, where Elaine reveals that her own son is the Galahad who will find the Grail.

    FAST-PACED AND STEEPED IN LORE

    It appears to be a peaceful night at Bath Abbey as Once & Future #4 opens. Of course, we know better. But on our side of the portal, Rose is standing vigil with the candle that will lead Duncan and Bridgette home when a couple of police happen by.

    Meanwhile, in the Otherworld, Elaine’s Galahad is about to get knighted and the horrified Duncan tells Bridgette she can’t just murder him. Well of course not, not if she doesn’t have a clear shot. Sir Galahad is knighted, and Arthur looks forward to when he can purge the land of Anglos and Saxons. More elements of mythology come into play as Elaine assures Arthur that they have a maimed Fisher King, and the grail is in his castle. Bridgette takes her shot, but Duncan disrupts her. They are found out and must flee again.

    They come barreling out the door of Bath Abbey, guns in hand, right into the police who draw their own weapons. Bridgette orders Rose to snuff the candle, but Rose freezes just long enough for Arthur to appear and take out the police. She does come to her senses and put the candle out, which also dismisses Arthur. I really love that Duncan and Rose at this point are still adjusting, in a state of shock, reacting like most normal people would. Bridgette acknowledges this but hustles them into the car so they can rush off to the Grail castle. After Rose gets over her shock, Bridgette tells her she should have, in her information, a contact to call who can clean up the mess at Bath. In a lovely bit of dialogue, Rose objects to being a secretary, and Gran reassures her that she’s more like “M” from James Bond. Rose can live with that.

    Now we get deeper into the theme of stories having a life of their own, and people being able to work their way into said stories. Bridgette talks about Elaine “making” a Galahad, by finding a Lancelot to make her pregnant, and raising her son to fit the mold. It’s a fascinating idea, and it speaks this being a game of long-term plans. Somehow Bridgette also knows how to find the Fisher King, but they’re only moments ahead of Galahad.

    Duncan kicks in the door and calls out for the Fisher King, who apparently knows Bridgette, who is apparently ready to kill him to cut of the way to the Grail. Then Arthur and Galahad arrive. Rose and Duncan haul Bridgette upstairs even as the Fisher King invites Arthur and Galahad to look around and slip into the Otherworld again. At this point, Gran is set to send Duncan in after them, telling him that this is his quest now.

    But Rose has been paying attention and she knows her history and legends. She’s heard what Bridgette has said…and what she hasn’t said. I love that she’s smart, and that this leads into the bombshell that the Fisher King was Bridgette’s husband. He knows full well what’s going on, and he knows something about Duncan, whose middle name just happens to be Percival.

    MONSTERS AND THE MONSTROUS

    In Once & Future #4, more layers are revealed to us. What started out as a plunge into a crazy adventure keeps getting darker as we see that things have been put into motion years ago. Throughout it all, the art continues to be gorgeous. Well, some of Arthur’s men are pretty ugly in that way the undead have, but you know what I mean. Elaine’s Galahad really does come across as though he’s been preparing for this his whole life. He is blond, handsome, and confident, almost glowing. Duncan, on the other hand, is looking more frazzled and scruffy, right down to the five o’clock shadow.

    We move back and forth between the real world and the Otherworld, and I love how the use of color sets them apart from each other. It’s still night; the palettes are dark and heavy in the blue tones, but the Otherworld has broad areas of magenta, as well as the orbs that look like light bouncing off motes of dust. We see this when Arthur comes through to Bath and kills the police. We see the change at the Fisher King’s house when Duncan is looking up the hill toward it. I like that the change happens before Arthur and his knights make an appearance, because it sets off a feeling of dread and anticipation.

    BOTTOM LINE: HARSH AT ITS CORE

    It helps to have some passing familiarity with Arthurian legend to read Once & Future #4, but I think even if you just know the basics, you know enough to see how that has been twisted in this suspenseful retelling. There’s a little more blood and on-panel violence, but it does fit in with the gripping plot.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    Once & Future #4

    100%
    100%
    Harsh at Its Core

    What goes around comes around, but not always how you were expecting.

    • Writing
      10
    • Art
      10
    • Coloring
      10
    • User Ratings (1 Votes)
      10
    Boom Studios Dan Mora ed dukeshire Kieron Gillen Matt Gagnon Once and Future Review Tamra Bonvillain
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleBehold! Marvel reveals John Buscema Thor #1 variant cover
    Next Article [First Look] Adler #1
    Ingrid Lind-Jahn

    By day, she’s a mild-mannered bureaucrat and Ms. Know-It-All. By night, she’s a dance teacher and RPG player (although admittedly not on the same nights). On the weekends, she may be found judging Magic, playing Guild Wars 2 (badly), or following other creative pursuits. Holy Lack of Copious Free Time, Batman! While she’s always wished she had teleportation as her superpower, she suspects that super-speed would be much more practical because then she’d have time to finish up those steampunk costumes she’s also working on.

    Related Posts

    Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 Review

    Read More

    Wayne’s Comics Podcast #698: Interview with Tyler Kirkham

    Read More

    Retro Review: Menace #11 (May 1954)

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    7.3
    June 22, 2025

    Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 Review

    6.7
    June 22, 2025

    Retro Review: Menace #11 (May 1954)

    8.0
    June 20, 2025

    Jeff the Land Shark #1 Review

    4.0
    June 20, 2025

    Toxie Team-Up #1 Review

    8.3
    June 17, 2025

    Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Where Is All The Cool Merchandise?
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT