Advance Review: ‘Ladies Of The Knight’ May Be Slow-Going

Serfina is a rather abrasive knight in need of a squire. George is wanting to be a squire she cannot find a job as one. When Serfina’s spouse — who is also her boss — decides to hire George on Serfina’s behalf two problems see resolution. However, what new problems will this team now have on their hands?

Writer and illustrator Fiona Marchbank and letterer Thomas Long are responsible for the narrative elements of this comic. Though Long is more responsible for re-lettering the original pages from their online form to this print edition.

The story is one that may be a bit of slow in nature for some readers. This debatable experience is partly because of certain types of sequencing one sees throughout the comic. Meaning that these select pages have layouts that are jarring since they can confuse the typical comic book reader. Yet, this is not to say that Marchbank is exactly wrong to do this style of layout since the sequences fit the medieval aesthetic theming. Nevertheless, it does make it so that one has to re-immerse themselves in the book. Thus, arrows displaying the order of events might help if Marchbank creates future editions with these types of layouts. The other part of what might make this slow is the fact that it is very much a niche type tale of a teacher and student.

Despite the sequencing problem the lettering is able to assist with re-orienting oneself. Therefore, Long is deserving of kudos for not only helping by reworking the lettering, but providing readers of various sorts a way to figure out the reading order.

As for the dialogue it is more modern than medieval. Marchbank also does not use any contemporary references that would negatively mix with the setting. Thus, readers should not have a problem understanding the characters while still finding them believable. While the characters are relatable and likable their arcs are like the plotting. This means that there is more focus on the long game than any short term goals.

When it comes to the art style, Marchbank is definitely evoking the banners and artistry of medieval Europe. While the personalization she employs in her art is closer to a work of animation than that of more standard comics. Although the minimalism of characters in certain panels may at times feel like it is going too far. Yet, if one looks carefully one can see that there are still distinguishing details in these tiny artistic elements. Finally the color palettes aid the visual characterization via enhancing the evocation of both medieval and animation.

Ladies of the Knight sees release from Oni Press in bookstores on 7th July  and comic shops on 8th July.