Zenescope's Robyn Hood Cancelled, Pat Shand Says Goodbye

In a single tweet, one of Zenescope's best titles has been cancelled. Pat Shand, writer of ongoing series 'Robyn Hood', announced that issue #20 will be the end of his run for the alluring archer.

In his blog post he states that he will have one more story to tell in April, a month after the final issue comes out. According to Shand, the double-sized Robyn Hood: Annual #1 "acts as a coda to basically everything I’ve done on the title since the first issue in 2012. Also, there’s a wedding."

He goes on to say that she will be back and fans won't have to wait very long.

While I was excited to hear that Robyn Hood would still have a future post-Pat, without an ongoing title, fans will be hard pressed to find out where she'll turn up next. Perhaps a reboot, or a new creative team will kick off a new series. Whatever the future holds for Robyn, it'll be without the creator who launched her title, beginning with a 3 issue mini-series.

If you are a reader of my work here on Critical Blast, you'll know that I'm a big fan of Pat Shand's work on Robyn Hood. Selfishly, this news comes as a blow. However, I can understand that if there are conflicting views over the direction of the character, Shand is wise to get out before he becomes part of something he never envisioned.

Earlier this year, when discussing the direction for the title with editorial, it became clear that the best thing I could do was end my run by choice.

Pat Shand clearly wasn't happy with how that discussion went. However rather than throw shade at the company, or be a part of something he doesn't support, he politely bowed out. A classy move by a guy whose imprint is all over some of Zenescope's best stories in the last few years. He indicates on his blog that he was asked back to continue writing her, but he made his decision and he's sticking to it. His work will continue at Zenescope as there are events being planned and he's sure that Robyn (and Marian) will appear in his other titles, but for the ongoing series, he has made peace with his choice to say goodbye.

Here is his final message to us fans of the title:

I know probably every single person I’m talking to here that’s involved with this book thinks I’m being corny, but honestly – no matter where these characters go next, or what we do next, I will always have a place for them, and for you, and for this time in my heart. Sincerely, thank you for letting me, for a time, tell Robyn Hood stories with you all.

You can read his full statement on his blog and offer him support by following him on Twitter. Stay tuned for future developments at Zenescope for both Pat Shand and Robyn Hood.