Image Comics 2017
By Matt Wagner
Coloured by Brennan Wagner
Lettered by Dave Lanphear
Kevin Matchstick was just a cynical everyman until a chance encounter with the beguiling street wizard Mirth revealed him to be the reincarnation of the legendary Pendragon and rightful wielder of the mystic weapon Excalibur. In his many battles against minions of the malevolent Umbra Sprite, Kevin has struggled to understand his destiny, a dilemma that’s resulted in tragedy and seemingly even the loss of his greatest legacy. Years have passed since his last adventure combatting the forces of dark magic….
I have to say you never realize how much you’ve missed something until it comes back to your life. This is one of those books where suddenly you find everything you’ve ever read about it coming flooding back the moment you see the first page. Very few character can evoke such a response to the mind like this one does and it’s a testament to the kind of work that Matt does and is doing.
I love that so many years have passed and that Kevin really does resemble Matt in their appearance well at least as male pattern baldness is concerned. He’s still got a nice rock hard looking body and his kids are oddly cute, though that hair on Hugo is a little too Little Lord Fauntleroy for my tastes. Otherwise i’m loving everything I see here from the way page layout are used with their angles, perspective and utilisation of backgrounds are fantastic.
I like the fact that Kevin has tried to avoid the magic and chaos it brought him and tried to have a nice quiet life. We all know that was never in the cards but it's still nice to see that he tried. Though more impressive is that when Kevin grabs a tree branch and trying to shield what’s about to happen from his son yeah it’s got the great stuff we want to see and feel. You really get the sense that he didn’t want this encounter at all and is angry that it’s happening. It’s got that sense of characterisation to it that makes it as strong, powerful and missed as it’s been.
I do like that we see so many of things from the past like his magic atm card again. Then Magda, his daughter and the whole idyllic family life that has crashed down around them yeah it revs up what’s about to happen nicely. This wasn’t something that was supposed to take him out it was supposed to just find him for Umbra Sprite so she could make her plans for what’s going to be happening.
If you’ve not had the pleasure to read the entirety of this series, yet, and are wondering if it’s possible to pick this up and enjoy on it’s own the answer is a resounding yes. It’s new reader friendly and explains a few things along the way, as much for catch up as it is for introductions. It continues to demonstrate at least in my humble opinion why Matt is and will always be among the industries best and strongest talents.