Krod Mandoon’s word play beats its sword play

Michael Noble’s back Guest-clacking again for us, after sharing his thoughts on American Idol with us….

I was enamored of comics when I was a kid. (Still am.) One of my favorites was Conan The Barbarian, the popular Cimmerian savage who went on to (rather bumbling) misadventures with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the title character on the big screen. With the release of The Savage Sword Of Conan comic magazine back in the day, I was enthralled month to month with the adventuresome exploits.

So imagine my childlike glee at word of a new swash-buckling series in the form of Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire on Comedy Central.

Do you like your barbarians with ripply six-packs, easy-on-the-eyes? Kröd’s got what you need. Do you enjoy a bit of swordplay and bawdy repartee? It’s here. You like snarky comments from evil doers, sneering assassins and ne’er-do-well doings to hiss at? Yup. Here you go.

Set in some lush, far away realm, our hero Kröd Mandoon is a dashing, yet inept do-gooder who is quite possibly the last great hope against the evil tyrant Chancellor Dongalor.

The premiere of this series introduces a cast of characters not only lovable, but hilarious.

Title lead Kröd Mändoon (Sean Maguire) is more prone to emotional foibles than heroic actions. He talks a convincing game, but easily gets sidetracked by any casual name calling directed his way. And all sorts of situations present themselves as a result.

His group of sidekicks — Loquasto (Steve Speirs as Mändoon’s fumblingly inept, hairy-eared, in-need-of-archery-instruction brawn), Zezelryck (Kevin Hart, a completely and, so far, useless sorcerer better at turning a sarcastic quip than conjuring up a simple spell) and Bruce (Marques Ray as a typecast light-in-the-loafers prettyboy) — feed off each other like The Marx Brothers in leather jerkins and boots.

The last member of Mändoon’s quintet is Aneka (India de Beaufort), the only female in his loyal band of misfits. (And, seemingly, the only one capable of saving the group from dire circumstances time and again.) She’s able to hold her own in whatever situation manifests itself — no matter if that situation calls for daring-do or bedroomery.

The start of the series begins with Mändoon seeking the rescue of his mentor Arcadias. Breaking into Chancellor Dongalor’s dungeon, Mändoon eventually frees a group of odd characters, Arcadias included. But their escape is not complete before Arcadias is killed by an arrow meant for Mändoon. His death is poignant, though not so much so that several additional arrows make certain the job is accomplished with comedic flair. Followed, of course, by a not-unexpected axe blow to the noggin for good measure.

Later at Arcadias’ wake, wherein the quintet (with frolicking relish) send him off via boat to the middle of a picturesque lake, it’s Aneka who launches a fiery arrow at the vessel to begin the honorary conflagration. Short-sighted Loquasto and his crossbow could not make the cut, his arrows dropping into the lake and skewering ducks mid-flight instead. When all is said and done (and while it’s still a somber moment) more comedy kicks into gear as it comes to pass Arcadias’ body was never put aboard the boat. Inept and funny doings by our band of heroes.

Mändoon’s arch nemesis, the dandy Chancellor Dongalor (Matt Lucas of Little Britain), is a card. Equally dripping venom and cracking wise, Dongalor is brimful of masochism, swagger and villainy.

In an exchange with his second-in-command concerning the recent “loss” of one of his advisors, Dongalor states:

• “He was a good man. Send a suckling pig to his widow … and some flowers … maybe a nice bottle of Asti …. and, uh ….. how long would you say before she’s fair game?”
• “Well … uh, your attention could only bring her comfort in her hour of grief,” comes the response.
• Chancellor Dongalor: “… ’til one hour of grief then ….”

Or, while discussing his evil empire, the “subtle” references of the series’ writers come forth in a guffaw-worthy exchange from Dongalor again. “Colostrum” is referred to as one of Dongalor’s locations and not as a mammary secretion. Rich stuff!

To be certain, there’s more wordplay than swordplay within this show. And that’s not a bad thing. The laughs come fast and furious and they are a joy to digest. Kevin Hart’s Zezelryck and Marques Ray’s Bruce are especially witty and welcome.

Special mention to the side character Horst Draper who is “mistakenly” accused of equine crimes given his unfortunate moniker. A whole series of minor misadventures occur between Kröd and Horst … and all are snigger-worthy.

Nice launch, Comedy Central. Keep the shenanigans coming!

(P.S. I’m naming my next pet “Horst,” no matter what it is.)

Clacked by Guest Clacker
on Apr 11, 2009 @ 11:00 EST5EDT