Book Review: Cursed by Thomas Wheeler (and Frank Miller)

First things first - Frank Miller's name is prominent on this book, and if you're like me you probably thought that meant he wrote it (which, if you're like me, produces strong feelings good and bad, but definitely generates interest). However, he actually just provided illustrations, which were...okay? They were similar in style to his Sin City work, but more like first drafts than finished products. Anyway, he only draws here, not writes, even though it seems to be marketed as HIS book - just one reasons I'd love to see a VH1 "Behind the Music" on the making of this book.

As for the other reason, I'd love to find out what Miller and Wheeler were trying to do with this story. This is a retelling of King Arthur - more specifically, of The Once and Future King. Most modern retellings try to excise the fantastical elements and make it more "realistic". This one, instead, leans into the metaphysical and invents new supernatural elements.

The story is told from the perspective of Nimue, who is one of the Fey, a populous and well-known group that encompasses all sorts of beings similar to fairies, pixies, trolls, mole-men, and the like. They are being slaughtered by the Papal force fighting for the One True God, and their numbers are dwindling rapidly. During one assault, Nimue's mother gives her a sword and asks her to take it to the wizard Merlin (who is serving in King Uther's court). Along the way Nimue meets up with a sell-sword named Arthur who accompanies her on her quest.

Okay, stop right there. First of all, yes, the sword is Excalibur, although I don't remember it being referred to directly as such (it was usually called the Devil's Tooth). Secondly, she happens to run into Arthur. Who is part of the quest to give the sword to Merlin. And who touches the sword and tries out on occasion. Thirdly, and maybe most importantly, the sword wasn't stuck in a rock or handed out by the Lady of the Lake until Arthur grabbed it - Nimue was in possession of the sword of the One True King (or in her case Queen) right before Arthur. And it wasn't like Nimue didn't know the power of the sword - she uses it to become the leader of the Fey.

As you can imagine in a story like this, there are a ton of "Hi guys, I'm Gawain" and "I'm Percival, but you can call me Percy"-type Prequel-level coinkidinks. One of the interesting choices is, based on this story, how much of Camelot would be comprised of Fey-kind instead of humans.

So this is a pretty out there retelling, but at least it will be fun to see how it all ends up with the sword pulled from the stone and the Round Table and all that jazz, right? Well...this had the worst ending since WandaVision (which I know was only a couple days ago, BUT STILL!!!). None of the characters are really near where they need to be to continue the King Arthur legend. If you can get past the fact that's included mass supernatural genocide during King Uther's reign (wasn't important to the story?), if you can get past the fact that someone wielded the sword right before Arthur (but not for very long so it doesn't matter?), there's also the fact that Uther and Arthur don't seem to have any connection to each other, which is a central part of the legend.

In writing this two things occur to me:

- Like WandaVision, the ending might have blown, but at least the ride was fun. I don't want to completely dunk on this book - it was an entertaining read, although partly to see how they were going to dig themselves out of the story hole by the end of the book (note: they didn't).

- In reflecting on this book, I'm wondering if this is supposed to be like THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!!! I didn't see anything indicating that this was the first book in a series, although it was used to create a Netflix series (wonder if the series was based on the book or if they were developed together?) - maybe they'll show how we get to Camelot if they make more seasons?

Anyway, can't give this more than six out of ten hot dogs for being a bit of a let-down.