Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Colorist: Rain Beredo
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Cover Artists: Daniele Di Nicuolo & Rain Beredo; Jon
Sommariva & Dave McCaig
Editor: Kristy Quinn
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 10, 2025
Merlin helped Arthur Pendragon form the Knights of the Round
Table. They protected Britain from their castle in Camelot. Now, Arthur and his
knights inhabit enchanted weapons. Fel pulled Excalibur from a flying boulder. Each
of her friends also has a guide to help them fulfill their destinies. Merlin
stands ready to assist them. But can the children trade fantasy quests for
weapons training? And who will train Kevin to use his silent stick? Let's leap
into C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table #4 and see!
Story
Mordred's agents tried to intercept the enchanted weapons.
After failing to capture the kids, the heavily armed soldiers who captured
Connor's grandmother would have gone after all their parents. So, Merlin brought
them to England. From there, Fel used Excalibur to transport them to Camelot.
Now, they inhabit this historic kingdom outside of time. And thanks to Merlin’s
sorcery, their parents don’t realize they are learning how to wield deadly
weapons.
But their parents need not worry. First, Captain Gwen wants
to see what she has to work with in C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table #4.
Her subordinates may have bowed to the children when they arrived. But Captain
Gwen looks down her nose at them. Gwen realizes the boulder sought them out for
a reason. But just because the kids have trained together to play soccer
doesn’t mean they can fight other people. Connor doubted his ability to defeat
the agents of Mordred. Hanan didn’t want to hurt anyone. Now, Gwen faces the
daunting task of helping the children push past their inhibitions and believe
in their ability to defend the world against oppressors.
Thankfully, Gwen has help. In Tom Taylor’s story, Merlin
explains why King Arthur and his knights inhabit these ancient weapons. As they
did when surrounded by Mordred's agents, these legendary warriors can counsel
the children. In time, the kids may become like Connor's grandmother, Marnie,
capable of standing up to Mordred's agents with the axe she hid in her shopping
cart. But in C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table #4, the legendary warriors
also realize that the kids need to learn more than how to defeat their
opponents. They must also learn to support and rely on each other.
Art
As Marnie sits in a secure interview room, the agents of
Mordred study her through two-way glass. Her colorful garb contrasts with the
tile walls, the white table and chairs, and the men’s matching dark suits. The
air swirls around the children, Merlin, and Captain Gwen as Camelot rises on a
nearby hill. Daniele Di Nicuolo devotes a panel to showcasing each child with
their weapon.
While Merlin kneels beside Kevin, Captain Gwen stands with
her hands behind her back. She gazes down at the children. Attired in her
uniform, with an emblem emblazoned on her greatcoat, she looks more than
capable of wielding Excalibur or another of the ancient weapons. Gwen's
expression and demeanor could be worrying signs.
Marnie, Gwen, and Merlin wear blue and yellow/gold coats.
All the children, barring Kevin and Hanan, wear one or more of these colors. As
Captain Gwen and Fel wear yellow, Rain Beredo paints the backgrounds of a
two-panel face-off yellow. In addition to sharing the same sex, both have red
hair. Captain Gwen will force the children to fight silver combatants in this
brightly colored story. But their pre-training face-off isn’t the only time the
leader of the Camelot Corps and the child who wields Excalibur will have a
battle of wills in C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table #4.
Wes Abbott fills white dialogue balloons and colored
narrative boxes with lowercase black letters that grow bold for intonation and
swell for raised voices. The weapons speak into white shapes with colored
borders. Beige boxes with a stylized first letter locate us in time, space, and
Camelot. Sound effects accompany a rough training session, while a new voice
speaks into stormy clouds. Thanks to DC Comics for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Like Clark Griswald, their parents may think they're on
vacation. Fel and her friends know they're on the ultimate youth training
scheme. They have yet to realize just how badly the world needs them. But while
the children train in a protected realm, Connor's grandmother realizes the
dangers threatening their world.
Like them, fate chose Marnie to become a warrior. She may
not get to enjoy her prize for winning at Bingo. Her captors may not grant her
a telephone call. Still, Marnie embodies the spirit of Camelot’s legendary
warriors in C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table #4.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my preview of C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table #4.
