And Then I Read: KNIGHT AND SQUIRE 3

Images ©DC Comics, Inc.

After rave reviews of the first two issues, I must report that I'm not as pleased with this one. The problem arises right in the beginning, on this page:

A scientist and her research center are unveiling a new type of instant cloning, and for a subject they've chosen British monarch Richard the Third from hundreds of years ago. With the press of a button, Professor Merryweather creates an instant clone with the king's DNA, which she says, "in its newly-discovered multidimensional depths, could contain the entire memory of that king." And moments later, there he is, instantly grown and emerging, talking to the crowd in a "where am I?" moment.

Now, if you're going to use science, even wacky comics science, it has to have at least some basis in reality. This does not, for me. It breaks the "suspension of disbelief" necessary to any story not firmly embedded in our reality. Without it, the story can't work. Cloning? Okay. With instant growth to adulthood? Stretching things. With memories from hundreds of years ago? Snap. If you're going to do something like this, why not use magic, or at least time travel, another idea that isn't real science, but at least has become accepted in its unreality.

So, while I enjoyed parts of this comic, every time the king opened his mouth with very wise and witty words, usually in rhymed couplets, just like in the Shakespeare play about him (adding another level of stress to the unreality, however witty), it knocked me out of the story. When he brings back a bunch of other kings to help him take over England things turn to complete farce, which actually worked a bit better for me, as I stopped thinking about the science.

The art is terrific, and the ideas are fun, but this issue misses the mark for me and is only mildly recommended.