Review Fix Exclusive: Inside ‘Knights of the Golden Sun’

Review Fix chats with Mark London who lets us know all about the creative process behind his new series, “Knights of the Golden Sun.”

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this arc?



Mark London: Well, that’s a long and complicated answer, if I could sum it up best I would say, my wife. She convinced me that the supernatural does exist, and I guess my inspiration for the story was to write a piece that would honor everything that she’s taught me. This story is for her.


Review Fix: What do you think makes it special?

London: It’s common for stories that deal with biblical or mythological themes to follow a specific pattern, and in some cases, every story that deals with God might seem dull or preachy but, the way I see it, God loves fantasy and these stories can be fascinating in their own way. He is the most extravagant storyteller of all time, you know?  And whether you want to believe this story is based on actual events or if it’s pure fiction, well, that depends on you.

Review Fix: Without giving anything away, what is the crux of the story?



London: For the world and for humanity to be saved, a prophecy must be fulfilled. As long as God is watching, the guardians, your archangels, your knights, they know exactly what needs to be done in order to maintain the proverbial “peace” on earth. But Father (God), left the throne for unknown reasons and 400 years of solitude fell upon the earth. This is how much time lapsed between the old and new testaments. So, what happens when the archangels have no leader? When Lucifer and the Fallen angels realize that this all mighty and benevolent force is no longer keeping them from taking over the world or most importantly, Providence (heaven)? Our story is all about God’s plans and how we strive to persevere even if the odds are stacked against us.


Review Fix: Did any comics you read as a kid play a role in this one?



London: Comic books had a significant influence on me growing up in the ‘80s and reading The Silver Surfer made a substantial impact on how I approach storytelling. I was enamored with these grandiose stories set in the vastness of space also the size and power of beings like the Titans, Galactus, The Watcher, and even Thanos. They all were these God-like beings that took my imagination to new heights. But, the definitive influence for Knights of the Golden Sun is a Japanese manga called Saint Seiya. It has a lot of mythology and their characters are on a journey to protect one of their Gods from other powerful warriors, of all sorts, who fight for their own Gods. It’s pretty cool.

Review Fix: What type of comic book fans will enjoy this the most?

London: Knights appeals to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted fantasy adventure with depth, over the top action and interesting characters. It’s a story for those who might’ve faced a time of uncertainty in their lives or daily struggles. This story is about the knight in all of us who wants to thrive.

Review Fix: What is special about the art here?



London: Mauricio Villarreal is a very particular artist who loves to make his job harder than what it should be (bear with me for a minute). He puts a ton of details on each panel just for the visual pleasure and delight of others. If you take a careful look at, let’s say, any of the characters’ clothes, you will find a level of detail in the fabric that is both ridiculously intricate and beautiful. I’ve never asked him for any of this, he just goes the extra mile for anyone who is willing to take a chance on this series. I love working with Mauricio, and I hope he continues bringing Mad Cave stories to life for many years to come. In fact, Mauricio and I will be announcing our next project very soon and we believe you are in for a real treat.



Review Fix: What’s next?



London: After the release of Knights of the Golden Sun, our next stop is a very exciting 2019. We plan to release six new titles along with the continuation of our flagship series, Battlecats. Next year is huge for us, we will see new arcs for Battlecats Vol. 2, Honor and Curse, Wolvenhart, RV9, Nuke Lands, and two more that I can’t disclose at the moment. 

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

London: I hope whoever picks up Knights of the Golden Sun can see the world through the eyes of the characters and that they enjoy the crazy ride we have in store for them.