The light of hope might be the final nail in the coffin for Richard’s future.
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Aya Kanno
Translation/Adaptation: Jocelyne Allen
What They Say
Now that Edward has sired an heir, Richard is further from the throne than ever before. As losses mount on all sides of the battle to rule, loyalties are tested, and the scheming Margaret steps in with her own army to twist the war to fit her master plan.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers for a 400-year-old play and 600-year-old historic event):
Warwick graces the cover of this volume of Requiem of the Rose King. It’s an ominous portent of his role in this volume.
When we last left Richard, he and Henry were canoodling (sort of) in the hollow of a tree while Richard recovered from his wounds. The two seem to only find happiness together yet both are far from physically consummating their relationship for a whole host of complicated reasons well known to us readers. Of all the people who could’ve found Richard, Catesby was the one to come upon him and Henry. Catesby knows who Henry really is, but keeps the secret and doesn’t tell Richard who Henry really is. Why? Why would Catesby do this? Apparently, it’s his own love for Richard that he respects his wishes.
Elsewhere, everyone is plotting, especially Margaret. In a story about desires corrupting she is perhaps the most clearly driven by a desire for power. In an absolutely insane scene, she demands her son carry out his husbandly duties with his wife and then sits down to watch. We’re treated to a flashback where she raped Henry (in front of the royal witnesses as per tradition), which is all sorts of yikes. For all of Prince Edward’s failings, he is no rapist. Anne, surprisingly, consents to the consummation of their marriage, but it’s truly a screwed up scene. Even more surprising, Anne seems to warm to Edward afterward. He is a better person in her company, even if he’s still a bit of an idiot.
In contrast, Richard shines when he joins in the plotting and is easily the brains of his family. Fueled by new desires beyond just revenge, plots to unify his brothers once more and return the crown to his eldest brother. George is easily tricked into thinking that it is the will of his dead father to rejoin his brother’s side. Richard puts things into action with such speed that Edward’s forces who are supposed to back Warwick haven’t arrived by the time the battle begins. When everyone meets on the field of battle Warwick thinks that he has the advantage of numbers even in the fog. Yet he is betrayed and betrayed again, and his own forces become confused. Richard is a deadly whirlwind amid the confusion and the dialog shifts heavily back to Shakespearean platitudes for the falling of the Kingmaker. Warwick is given one last moment of reflection to realize that he betrayed the Duke of York by selling out to Margaret. It seems no one was immune to the haunting influence of the fallen York king.
Love, it appears, is just another corrupting force in this story. A tool for the powerful and yet the only thing keeping Richard from being consumed in a sea of hatred. In the tragic moment of their parting Henry and Richard promise to meet again in a year, and Richard allows himself a fantasy of running away and becoming a shepherd with Henry. Alas, anyone familiar with history or literature knows is all going to end very, very soon and in the most tragic way possible. Indeed, by the end of this volume, their true identities are revealed to each other. How horrible will the fallout from this be? Who will be the one who disposes of Henry in this version of this tale?
I continue to be amazed at how Kanno has managed to make this time-worn tragedy even more tragic. By this volume I was really feeling for Richard. Her new twists are clearly working as intended, and her art is as amazing as always.
In Summary
This volume is ultimately about Warwick and how his machinations and desire for power ultimately catch up with him. The battle of Barnet brings the three York brothers together once more, but Richard is consumed with his own desires. For once Richard sees a future where he can avenge his father and live happily away from it all with his Henry. Yet the truth is far harsher than he could ever imagine. So much occurs in this volume it never lets up, everyone gets their moment of victory or defeat. It’s hard to read but also insanely compelling and beautiful. We’re approaching a climax for these characters, and anyone who knows this story is probably as mad with curiosity as I am as to how Kanno is going to handle what’s to come.
Content Grade: A
Art Grade: A –
Packaging Grade: B
Text/Translation Grade: A –
Age Rating: 16+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: May 9th, 2017
MSRP: $9.99
