Book Review: King Arthur and the Ladies of the Lake

King Arthur & the Ladies of the Lake by Vincent Pompetti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This new version of the Arthurian mythos shines a light on the women in Arthur’s life. Primarily, they are Guinevere, the Lady of the Lake, and his mother and sisters. The story of King Arthur can be very convoluted, sometimes ponderous, now and then confusing. It takes some concentration to keep all the characters and story straight, but this focused look at his life through the lens of the women is by far the easiest to follow version I’ve yet read.

It’s not just about the women though. Of course we learn about Arthur and his life, but Merlin also plays a huge role in the story.

Since this is a graphic novel, the quality of the artwork is important. Through well-crafted watercolor panels, the ancient legends and its people take on a gentle, almost fragile appearance. Landscapes are otherworldly, yet still familiar. A dozen horses carrying the knights of the round table thunders across our view, and even though it’s just one panel among six on that page, it’s cinematic and feels somehow bigger than it is. Much of the artwork is muted, with lots of greys and frequent use of reds as an accent color. The artist plays with color saturation, crisp lines and dreamlike billowy scenes, as well as utilizing close ups and faraway views. In other words, the careful crafting of the illustrations plays a vital role in the telling of the story.

The book ends with bonus artwork of the ladies and Arthur, as well as brief paragraphs about some of the key locations and artifacts. I appreciated the inclusion of a theory that perfectly explains why the sword was in the stone. I’ve never heard this one before, and it’s already become my preferred explanation.

The book releases on December 31, 2024. Your pre-order will benefit its launch immensely.

My thanks to author Vincent Pompetti and Black Panel Press for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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