Publisher: Zenescope
Writer: Terry Cavanagh
Artist: Daniel Maine
Colourist: Bryan Valenza
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

 

Having seen his most famous creations re-interpreted by Dogtanian, Tom and Jerry and Barbie among many others, Alexandre Dumas must be positively spinning in his grave.

The Musketeers #1 is likely to cause nothing more than a gentle rotation for Spinning Alex though as two gals and a guy, recently empowered by the Book of Fables, borrow the Musketeer name for some modern daring-do.

Treading the line between hero and villain this titular triumvirate in The Musketeers #1 consist of Winter Sudam, stealth, agility and speed, Diego Garcia, the token male in the team, super strong, and Carmen Alexander, swordswoman supreme. All this is swiftly and concisely outlined in the first couple of pages so as not to impede the action which begins right on page one with the Musketeers battling trolls, imps and cynocephali (nope, I didn’t know either but apparently, they’re a race of dag faced people still found in the lower rent type of circus).

All this mischief in The Musketeers #1 is orchestrated by the master and mistress of magic, Morgan Fay and Merlin and takes place in Camelot the other dimensional kingdom of kingdoms and turns out to be a mystical version of the X-Men’s Danger Room to make sure the Musketeers are ready to defend Earth in the coming war between the Corrupt and the Highborn.

Phew! Talk about mixing your mythologies in The Musketeers #1! With a rallying cry of “Musketeers, Murder” – not as catchy as “Avengers Assemble” and it’ll never catch on – the Musketeers ambivalent credentials are set as they are sent back to Philadelphia to begin their mission to track down a mystical bracelet called The Chariot of the Tarot.

So far, so pulse-pounding excitement, but toss in some complicated love interests, making our titanic trio in The Musketeers #1 not so much a menage a trois but more a menage a what-the-heck and some in depth treachery of the highest order and you have one of the finest debut issues this side of Fantastic Four #1.

The Musketeers #1 is a jumping on point, leaving the station now and you really want to be along for this ride.

‘All for one and one for The Musketeers #1!’ Finally a concept not mired by disappointment!

 

 

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker