Rook & Knight #1 Review

Rook & Knight #1 Review

Daniel Kalban has been putting the foundation down for Libertyverse and now has taken the next step by featuring the brutal father and son duo vigilantes within the pages of Rook & Knight #1. A series that introduces us to the jacked-up team of heroes who patrol the streets at night, attempting to keep the streets clean by any means necessary and dealing with the quarrels and issues that any single father and teenage son may come across. 

The description for Rook & Knight #1 reads: 

A father-son vigilante duo are waging a brutal war on crime. However, they are starting to fall apart at the seams.

Knight, having lost his mother is the most level-headed of the group. In the vein of a Robin to Batman, he is still learning the ropes and hyper-fixated on his training while getting into occasional run-ins at school… for the greater good of course. The leader of the duo, Rook is a slightly more unhinged vigilante that shares characteristics with Batman and also you see a bit of Kick-Asses Big Daddy. 

That’s not to say this character doesn’t feel original yet as you see his attempts to be a figurehead and role model to his son, this is not a vigilante who holds back a punch or can manage to stick to the no-kill rule. Blame it on his need to “juice” or steroids for those who haven’t seen Pain & Gain, his moral compass is clearly spinning out of control and it’s largely due to his discipline and temper slipping. 

The debut issue paints a grim and violent picture not only for the world we dive into that now has a super drug, creating super-powered thugs roaming the streets but also for the internal issues that these characters are dealing with while trying to maintain an image of normalcy to the outside world is beautifully done not only with the narrative of the issue but also the art. 

Even as an expansion of the Libertyverse, Rook & Knight does not feel foreign and can easily be a jumping point for new readers. There are references that feel as if they pointed to the universe but nothing that felt incomprehensible and that’s further credit to Kalban. The art and the ease with these panels push the story forward while delivering knockout brawls is something that’s both enjoyable and complimentary to the writing. 

Overall, Rook & Knight #1 takes an expansive universe that opens the door for new readers and gives longtime fans pieces that will repay their time dedicated to the Libertyverse. The quick introduction into these vigilantes’ lives and the last few pages that tease what’s to come should be more than enough to make you fully dedicate yourself to not only Rook & Knight’s adventures but the entire Libertyverse. Plus, you have to admire a superhero comic that has vigilantes going to therapy because that’s as real as it gets. 

Rook & Knight #1 is available exclusively on Kickstarter right now. Check out the official project page and secure your copy.