Camelot 3000

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Camelot 3000 is a 12-issue comic book limited series (billed by DC as a "maxi-series") written by Mike W. Barr and penciled by Brian Bolland, and published by DC Comics from 1982-1985 as one of its first direct market projects, and as its second maxi-series.

It follows the adventures of King Arthur, Merlin and the reincarnated Knights of the Round Table as they reemerge in the future world of 3000 to fight off an alien invasion masterminded by Morgan Le Fay.

Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot are presented more-or-less traditionally as the doomed triangle of lovers. Sir Galahad is changed from an idealized version of the Christian knight to a samurai and devout adherent of bushido. Sir Percival, the foolish man slowly wise is genetically altered into a monstrous giant but retains his gentle manner. Sir Kay the court churl reveals to Arthur that his characteristic obnoxious demeanor was in fact an adopted mannerism coined with the intention of reducing tensions between the members of Arthur's court, who were subsequently united by their mutual dislike of Kay. Modred is the son of Morgan Le Fay in this version.

The most original treatment in the work of any of the Arthurian characters is that of the figure of Sir Tristan, who is unexpectedly reincarnated as a woman. His transformation forces him to reexamine his previous conceptions of gender roles and his own sexuality. Though his relationship with Isolde is tested by his new identity, their enduring love for one another eventually triumphs, and the two become lovers.

Mike W. Barr and Brian Bolland received widespread recognition from their peers for their work on Camelot 3000, including a 1985 Jack Kirby Award nomination for Best Finite Series.