Sunday, March 30, 2014

The Royals: Masters of War #2 Review

Written by: Rob Williams
Art by: Simon Coleby
Cover Price: $2.99
Release date: March 12, 2014


This Means War


I'll admit, I wasn't quite prepared for The Royals when I read last months first issue.  A book set in an alternate World War Two where the Royal families of the World have Super Powers?  Very strange and also very intriguing.  So, I picked it up on a whim and read it.  Guess what?  It was really good.  Rob Williams' story seemed larger than life and had enough mystery to keep the reader guessing about what was really going on while Simon Coleby's art was equally unique and impressive.



Issue two opens with a little scene showing the Emperor of Japan.  A little goes a long way, however, and we quickly learn that Prince Henry's actions in the first issue have not gone unnoticed.  Cut to Henry, Arthur and Rose accompanying Winston Churchill to the United States.  Churchill wants to use the fame and celebrity of Henry to urge the United States into the War.  When such a thing as War is afoot, tempers flare and accusations fly.  When the Japanese call out the United States, Roosevelt doesn't budge, but he quickly learns this is a War that cannot be watched from the sidelines.

Rob Williams is giving readers a book with an intriguing story, but what I like best are the characters. Henry, Arthur and Rose are front and center of course, but I also like seeing Churchill and Roosevelt involved.  It's even more a plus that they act like you'd imagine.  There's also a bit of humor thrown in that shows the pomp and spectacle that the United States is known for.  They don't have royalty so by gum, they will make up for it with costumes and bravado.  It doesn't work out the best for them, but it is hilarious.

The story is heating up and to make things better, there is a spy among the British Royals and I'm sure it's not who we think.  Now that Japan and the United States are involved, I'm looking forward to seeing where Williams takes us next.  I'm interested to see how the German Royals figure in with Hitler and the Third Reich.

Simon Coleby's art is very stylized in an old timey way.  It fits the subject matter so well.  I especially like the way he draws Winston Churchill.  It's as if he jumped out of an old photograph and into the pages of the comic.

Bits and Pieces:

The Royals: Masters of War #2 is another good chapter in this six part series.  Rob Williams gives World Super Powers a whole new meaning and Simon Coleby's art makes the alternate tale come to life.  If you are a comic buff who likes history or a history buff who reads comics, do yourself a favor and pick this book up.

8.5/10



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