Knights-Errant

Knights-Errant #1

by Jennifer Doyle

Wilfrid is on a quest. A quest for what, you ask? Wil won’t say, but being imprisoned in a city under siege has brought any progress to a sudden, grinding halt. Luckily for Wilfrid, there’s a prison guard on their side. Unluckily for the prison guard, and everyone else who has the misfortune of meeting this enigmatic vagrant, Wilfrid’s little crusade gets bloodier by the day.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, LGBT, Queer, Graphic Novels Comics, Webcomic

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Also known as "theyoungdoyler"

Jenn is a history and comics buff. They wrote way too many essays in college, so after graduation they decided to draw their essays instead.
When they’re not working on Knights Errant they’re usually working on other action/horror comics.

They live in Brooklyn with their partner Ursula, and their cat son, Rex Worthington.

Reviews

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doyle describes her webcomic/now graphic novel series Knights-Errant as a "queer revenge thriller," and I can't do better than that. It starts by following Wilfrid, who's imprisoned in a besieged city, and his escape with the help of a guard. What follows is a mix of political and religious conspiracy with a side of ethnic discrimination, long-running personal vendettas, and quite a lot of swordfighting. Very few people are as they seem, lovers are forced to make terrible choices, and that all works for me quite well thankyouverymuch.

[anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh man. OH MAN.

i went into this not knowing anything & not rly expecting anything and i got everything!

it's a historical comic set in a fictional land, focusing on race, religion, gender & revenge, with interesting gay relationships AND the art is absolutely Stunning on top of all that.

[charlotte, · Rating 4 out of 5]

read up to ch 3, page 12

CWs: blood, violence

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so pretty to look at, as well as being an interesting story. I love the tone and the relationships between characters is already a strong point.

[Janey Dangerous · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading the smack jeeves draft of this story years ago as if a fever dream. It was one of my first queer stories I ever read so I'm glad its been rebooted and published. Looking forward to collecting more volumes!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this at a used book store on a whim because the cover was beautiful and it was labeled lgbt+ and I'm so glad I did! It has in fact been both beautiful and lgbt+ so far and I can't wait to read more!

[emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

DAMN!!!! This was pretty AND captivating!!

[ShaniGrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love to see a webcomic make it to print, and the story is interesting so far. The art is simplistic but very effective. Hope to see more of Doyle in the future.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story and art.

With a couple of extra to add to backstory.

Eager for the next volume.

[Mateen Mahboubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little volume that throws you into the middle of a city under siege and gives lots of stuff to enjoy. Seems like a good set up for a series that I'm looking forward to getting into.

[silky · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite queer political drama. Succession wishes it had what Knights Errant does.

[S.M. Vidaurri · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you think you’re going to die? It’s the first question posed in Jennifer Doyle’s queer revenge thriller: Knights Errant. It's asked innocently, as if between friends, as a guard plays cards with his prisoner, the mysterious Wilfred. They’ve hatched a plot to get Wilfred out of the city, which has fallen under control of a disgraced fanatic, the Margrave. The guard, Beppe and his ally, Anton, will face the wrath of the Margrave should their plot be discovered. But, they very well may face his wrath regardless.

Wilfrid, for their part, ends up entangled with the enigmatic Oswald, a charge of the King desperate on retaking the city the Margrave holds. And Wilfrid? Well, no one is quite sure what they desire. The only hint being that at the slightest glimpse of the Margrave, their eyes seem to turn blood red. It seems like they want to kill the Margrave. And, it also seems like the Margrave might not mind that.

Doyle’s deep historical and religious knowledge fuels this political drama as their wry humor shines through. When Wilfred and Beppe agree that their deaths will probably be either starvation or cannibalism, they ask Anton to break the tie.

Doyles bold linework and tense pacing is reminiscent of masters like Goseki Kojima from Lone Wolf and Cub. It’s mesmerizing and fresh with a unique nuanced queer perspective. And before you’re even ten pages in, you already feel like Wilfrid is your best friend. And that’s exactly what they want you to think. (Betrayal)

Knights Errant is perfect for anyone who likes dark, thrilling stories, filled with fraught romances and betrayals, and complicated queer characters who make their way through an unforgiving but beautiful world.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has honestly been one of the most intense and gorgeous graphic novels I've ever read and I'm devastated it's not more popular so I can purchase this in the UK (and believe me I've search the internet endlessly and perhaps I'm just not very good at online shopping, but I've yet to find a way without shipping costs making me cry). I'm so glad you can read volume 1 for free on sparklermonthly because let me tell you I had An Experience™ reading this.

The moment I saw the art style I knew I had to read it. It's stylish and beautiful and I am so ridiculously in love with Wilfrid. The more I read, the more it ticked off everything I love to see in a story (if you're wondering what this list entails, number 1 is medieval settings. Knights, swords, I'm all about that shit). There was so much going on in volume 1 I don't know if my heart can handle volume 2... once I figure out how these webcomic websites work and how I can purchase their wonderful content... But I will eventually!

[Eli A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a world similar to medieval Europe with actual representation of POCs, and religious factions correlating to the Abrahamic religions. We meet a scary-as-fuck POC assassin who's been run into a corner, their soldier-captor that they have an uneasy alliance with, and the armies and powers behind each that are poised to clash over a potent mix of political schemes and religious ideologies. Gorgeous art telling a somewhat dark, but fascinating story.

[Paris Chadwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite comics. I think the format I was trying to read it became really confusing but the story and the art were all very understandable. I really like that this comic throws out that surprise "queer" (LGBTQA+) representation. I wanted to add that originally I found the art for this on Pinterest and am glad I read it properly.

[su · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite comics of all time!!! very underrated. jennifer doyle characters are just perfect and loveable. the way the story uncovers slowly and magnificently. plus if you're like me and craving that gay and trans knights content, definitely give Knights Errant a go, you will not regret it.

[Elia (goldenlyre) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this had a lot of potential but ugh it takes so long to upload I’ve given up

[ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

author using they pronouns & a comic about a gay ol revolution? niceeeeee.

[Aslan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much more than I expected! I hope there will be more

[Dax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting world building that has potential. There is a lot messed up in this world so not quite the escape I would hope for. I do look forward to seeing where they go with this.

[Temi · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY SEXY

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story! Can't wait for volume 2!!

[Marina Hill]

One of the best graphic novels I've read! I really love the art style and the story and the worldbuilding and the characters. It's just really well done.

[Amy M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Kinsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, I wish there were more of this! I got to the party a little late on this series but I would love to have it continued. Lots of drama and political intrigue.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only complaint (if you could call it that) is I wish it were longer! Has Game of Thrones style intrigue and medieval-esque setting without all the misogyny and snuff. Fell a little behind on the religious aspects but the notes in the back helped. A little strange that I feel like I know almost nothing about the main character but again, intrigue plays a long game.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning art, a complex story, engaging characters, and a wonderful set up to a fascinating world! I really enjoyed it and will be seeking the next volume in whatever form it appears!

[Camilla Cantù · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE TWISTS IN THIS ONE YOU GUYS!!!

[Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's obvious that the author understands her world-building very well, but I don't feel that she explains it to the reader too well. Maybe it would make more sense if it went on for longer.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I really enjoyed this one! The world-building does feel lacking, but I'm intrigued by it. Especially the characters. I want MORE of this.

Rating: maybe 3.5 stars