King of Spies Library Edition by Mark Millar and Matteo Scalera (2025)
Sir Roland King was once England’s greatest spy, an unstoppable agent who did whatever it took to protect Queen and Country. Now in his golden years, he’s trying to figure out how to retire — until he discovers he only has a few months left to live. Fed up with the system he helped to create, King decides to assassinate everyone who profits from the corruption. The only one who can stop him is his estranged son, who’s every bit the monster that his old man is. I was initially interested in King of Spies because of Matteo Scalera; I loved his work on Black Science. And the story of an ex-spy going rogue to bring down the world’s most powerful men also had its own appeal. But frankly, I was pretty underwhelmed by King of Spies. I think much of that has to do with book’s length. At just four issues, King of Spies’ story felt shallow and perfunctory, especially when combined with Mark Millar’s snarky, “edgy” writing. I think I would’ve preferred a longer series that was more grounded in tone and less pulpy.
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