Kieron Gillen

Dan Mora

When a group of Nationalists use an ancient artifact to bring a villain from Arthurian myth back from the dead, retired monster hunter Bridgette McGuire pulls her unsuspecting grandson Duncan, a museum curator, into a world of magic and mysticism to defeat a legendary threat. Now the two must navigate the complicated history of the McGuire family, all while combating the deadly secrets of England's past that threaten its very future.

The king is undead. Volume one

Once & Future

When a group of Nationalists use an ancient artifact to bring a villain from Arthurian myth back from the dead to gain power, retired monster hunter Bridgette McGuire pulls her unsuspecting grandson Duncan, a museum curator, into a world of magic and mysticism to combat the deadly secrets of England’s past that threaten its very future. When a group of Nationalists use an ancient artifact to bring a villain from Arthurian myth back from the dead, retired monster hunter Bridgette McGuire pulls her unsuspecting grandson Duncan, a museum curator, into a world of magic and mysticism to defeat a legendary threat. Now the two must navigate the complicated history of the McGuire family, all while combating the deadly secrets of England’s past that threaten its very future. New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Star Wars) and Russ Manning Award-winning artist Dan Mora (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Klaus) explore the mysteries of the past, the complicated truths of our history and the power of family to save the day…especially if that family has secret bunkers of ancient weapons and decades of experience hunting the greatest monsters in Britain’s history! Collects Once & Future #1-6.

Ken Yuen

Not what I expected at all, in a good way. One phrase recommendation: Kick-ass grandma wielding guns

Nick Ringwood

Really glad I went into it blind
A really good, fun read.
A lot better than I anticipated, I kind of thought it was gonna be crap.

I think it could turn out to be a great movie or show, if they do it right.

Look forward to reading the next one.

What a great reimagining of Arthurian myth!

When an ancient helmet at the British Museum is taken, Bridgette and Duncan are confronted by another hero of yore, one who will lead them to facing off against their most formidable challenge yet...a beast and his mother. Although Bridgette and Duncan stopped Arthur from retrieving the Grail and separated him from the legendary scabbard of Excalibur, the undead King of the Britons still has his sights on returning to our world and returning to power. By inadvertently changing the story of the famous King, Duncan and Gran have thrown the Otherworld into shambles, allowing for new legends and characters to make their appearance - and bring a world of trouble along with them. But when an ancient helmet at the British Museum is taken, Bridgette and Duncan are confronted by another hero of yore, one who will lead them to facing off against their most formidable challenge yet...a beast and his mother. New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Star Wars) and Russ Manning Award-winning artist Dan Mora (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Klaus) deliver the next chapter of the critically-acclaimed series that took the world of comics by storm! Collects Once & Future #7-12.

Once & Future Vol. 2

Lisa Beasley

Brilliant second volume, loving the story and characters a lot.

I have a feeling I might have found a new favourite series!

(Full review on my blog)

Re-read July 2021 - read this again to refresh my memory before volume 2. Still a great start to a series and a brilliant storyline

Bryan Alexander

Once & Future, Vol. 1 is a very entertaining rip on the Arthurian legend. It's both dark and funny, focused on a returned Arthur who is truly monstrous, and those who brought him back as thugs.

My favorite character is a gentle-seeming old lady who turns out to be a violent, cold-eyed, dope-smoking schemer. 

The art is solid, energetic and horrific in appropriate amounts.

There's a lot of Arthurian play for those into that stuff, including gleeful quotes from Excalibur.

Lucy Richards 

Gran’s monster hunting wasn’t the only thing she kept from Duncan. He’s about to discover more of the family secrets, and the sacrifices one must make to reach the Holy Grail.

Once & Future #4

Melissa Railey

With Gran’s life hanging in the balance, Duncan comes face to face with another knight in search of the Grail, and only one will emerge victorious...

Once & Future #5

With the fate of the world in the balance, Duncan must finally accept his role in the larger story. But has Gran trained him well enough to defeat the undead King of the Britons by himself?

Once & Future #6

Although Bridgette and Duncan were able to escape the Otherworld, their adventure is only just beginning! As the chaos of Arthur's return reaches London, an artifact at the British Museum is stolen. But is it Arthur who's interested in the relic... or someone, or something, new?

Once & Future #7

When a strange newcomer arrives at the dark court of Camelot, his presence disrupts The Otherworld. Sometimes winning the battle risks losing the war...as Duncan and Bridgette will soon find out.

Once & Future #8

Revenge is the greatest motivator and Gran and Duncan have awakened the ire of the mother of all monsters...

Once & Future #10

Gran, Duncan and Rose are on a new quest to learn more about Merlin’s plan when they come face-to-face with another mysterious knight of legend. But if they want to track down the powerful Nimue and stay one step ahead of their enemy, it seems the trio will need to play this knight’s game, whether they like it or not...

Once & Future #14

The truth shall be revealed...and our world is hardly ready for the consequences to come. * But don't worry, Duncan and Bridgette are here to save Britain from being pulled into the Otherworld. * Unless, of course, they fail.

Once & Future #18

Is it possible that King Arthur and Merlin can save England from...King Arthur(s) and Merlin(s)?!?! A very strange war is a brewin' indeed. The Otherworld and our world have collided and England is ground zero for the chaos! Bridgette has spent her whole life fighting to prevent this future from happening, but now that it's arrived she's at a loss. Fortunately, she has Duncan by her side, and he's not about to let Gran give up.

Once & Future #19

What ancient and mythical danger awaits Bridgette, Duncan, and Rose as they seek Rose’s parents in the city of Bath? To complicate matters, an Arthurian knight pursues them with an offer for Rose and Duncan – join the Round Table or face death. If they survive the encounter, they’ll be pulled into the next phase of Bridgette’s plan... finding the “lair of the greatest hunter the accord has ever seen.”

Once & Future #21

Will a shocking turn of events be enough to turn the tide of the entire world? The war continues to rage across Britain as both Arthurs prepare to face one another for ultimate rule of the land. As Duncan, Bridgette, and Rose arm themselves for what’s to come, a surprising betrayal threatens even the most carefully laid plans!

Once & Future #22

ARTHUR VS. ARTHUR! Knowing that Grail Castle may be their best chance at survival, Bridgette, Duncan, and Rose hunker down and prepare for the worst. Elsewhere, the resurrected King Arthur challenges an arriving usurper to his rightful throne, another King Arthur, and raises an army of the undead to do it. But the new Arthur has the greatest knight of all on his side – Lancelot!

Once & Future #20

When a group of Nationalists use an ancient artifact to bring a villain from Arthurian myth back from the dead to gain power, ex-monster hunter Bridgette McGuire escapes her retirement home and pulls her unsuspecting grandson Duncan, a museum curator, into a world of magic and mysticism to defeat a legendary threat. Bestselling writer Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Star Wars) and Russ Manning Award-winning artist Dan Mora (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Klaus) explore the mysteries of the past, the complicated truths of our history and the power of family to save the day...especially if that family has secret bunkers of ancient weapons and decades of experience hunting the greatest monsters in Britain’s history!

Once & Future #1

The veil between the Otherworld and the human world is thin, and as the story changes around Duncan and Gran, each foe becomes harder to defeat...and predict. They may be holding the line, but enemies both new and old are closing in fast, and even Gran and Duncan may not be prepared for what's next!

Once & Future #12

Beowulf’s arrival was an unexpected one and now that the smoke has cleared, Gran and Duncan are beginning to wonder what other surprises lurk around the corner. Meanwhile in the Otherworld, Merlin is up to his old tricks and crossing over with another story was just the beginning of his plan...

Once & Future #13

A standoff between Duncan, Galahad, and Lancelot is all that’s preventing the Otherworld and our world from colliding...but only one of them can be the greatest knight and Duncan better hope it’s him. And, of course, there’s a DRAGON.

Once & Future #17

Surrounded by British government forces, Nimue calls for backup - but will Merlin and Galahad help stop the opposition...or expose Britain to the truth? Meanwhile, Bridgette and Duncan are trapped in the Otherworld and blocking their exit is Arthur’s greatest knight: Lancelot.

Once & Future The king is undead. Volume one

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