Comics Fondle

It’s been quite a while since I read the original Hedge Knight series, probably four years (the sequel’s been in the works for much of that time). I don’t remember much of what happened and the recap at the beginning is fine for the details–reminding me of what I do remember–but the first issue is full of references to characters I’m not familiar with. But, since most of these characters have a small narrative (a short, related-to-current events story), it’s fine.

Even with Mike S. Miller’s questionable facial detail, Hedge Knight II starts on the original’s sturdy terrain. The protagonist–now called Duncan by a few (Dunk by those who remember him from the original series)–is still likable and the first issue is a successful setup.

The problem is with the content. Regardless of the storytelling competence, the first issue sets up the series as a fight over water rights. That one worked for Chinatown, but Hedge Knight II is–at least out the gate–missing the meat of the story. There are lots of well-thoughtout details, but past the likable characters and the fine setting… there’s nothing to the narrative.

The second issue resolves that problem (though not immediately) as well as giving Miller a chance to do some of those cheap and modern motion blurs. Not much happens in the second issue–Dunk’s in the service of a down and out knight, Eustace, and Eustace’s subjects don’t make for the best soldiers. There are some funny scenes with them training, but mostly, the emphasis is on Dunk’s internal reactions to his predicament and the predicament of those around him. Hedge Knight II, if the second issue is any indication, is forgoing a regular narrative in favor of a period character study. It works well in the issue, even if the next one is somewhat perplexing.

The Hedge Knight II runs six issues, but the third indicates there’s a lot of fluff. Hedge Knight is part of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series–but wholly enjoyable to one such as myself, who’ll read fantasy in a comic book, but wouldn’t bother reading the fiction–and the third issue spends half its pages recounting something from one of those books. There is a lengthy flashback, followed by a lengthy diatribe; neither have a thing to do with the matters at hand. The third issue is the halfway point, where the reader should certainly have some idea of what is going to follow….

And it appears Hedge Knight II is going to be a romance.

I really don’t have a problem with the tie-in aspect to the comic (I understand, franchise and all). It adds some texture, even if reading all the silly names does just make my eyes glaze over. The flashback sequence also gives Miller an opportunity to skimp on the detail and get away with it.

But the romantic angle? It seems problematic, like Hedge Knight II is going to be cute, when otherwise it’s been thoughtful.

The fourth issue juggles the two nicely. The first half is–kind of–cute (Eustace’s nemesis, hinted to be an evil, aged widow, is revealed to be a lovely young woman who Dunk has the immediate hots for). But it’s also thoughtful. The second half is equally thoughtful and shows off where Hedge Knight is different. The issue is almost entirely conversation. Long conversation. The conversations are necessary (because there needs to be exposition to explain water rights, of course–and there’s a cut nose in Hedge Knight too, don’t know if it’s an intentional Chinatown reference). Because the important actions are all happening off panel.

The fifth issue is more talk. Lots more. There’s action and real dramatic tension (Hedge Knight II is one of the least “action-packed” comic books I can remember reading). But the sad thing about this issue is the obvious Marvel influence. There are a lot of ads, when there used to be few. Miller’s art is also suffering here. It’s cartoony in parts when, even with the lack of detail, it never was before. The romantic tension holds a little, but neither participant looks the same as they did when they met (Miller’s visibly rushing here). Worse is the cliffhanger, which takes a minute to understand.

Miller’s unfortunate hasty art continues in the sixth issue to similar effect. But that issue, split between a resolution to the cliffhanger and a resolution to the series, is strong enough it doesn’t matter.

The Hedge Knight II probably could have run four issues. Given how long it took for a second series, a third seems almost impossible. But what Ben Avery–I’ve only ever read his writing in the first series and I have no idea how much George R.R. Martin is responsible for–does here is something nice. Hedge Knight II is an almost mainstream book–the production values are well-above Image, even with Miller’s declining art quality–and it’s something different. It’s smart at what it does and what it incorporates into its mix. In the end, it’s a fine character study. It’s longer than it needs to be and a little despondent, just like all fine character studies tend to be.

Recommend on Mahalo