My Rating
“The Lion Errant – Part 02: Love And Hate”
Peace has failed the Gond. Now the armies of two Khans march against the Warrior Queen of Gondwana. As Rani Durgavati prepares her kingdom for all-out war, the invading forces are introduced to an ancient evil. A Vetala has joined forces with the Mughals, and the creature hungers for blood. Will this vampire prove a valuable ally in the battles to come, or has something far more dangerous entered the conflict?
On the other side of Malwa, Solomon Kane follows a black-maned lion through the Narmada River Valley. Suddenly, a shot rings out from a hunter’s musket, striking the sandy riverbed directly in front of the beast. Solomon yells for the lion to take cover as another hunter takes aim. If these trophy-seekers want a prize, they will have to go through the Englishman first!
Will the Gond withstand the might of two armies equipped with cannons and a bloodthirsty vampire? What is the secret of N’Longa’s cat-headed staff? Can old friends help Solomon Kane rid Malwa of the sinister devils gathering in the shadows? Collect the series to find out!
Review
Patrick Zircher continues to impress me with Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant. Not only does he handle both the writing and artwork, but the amount of historical research packed into this second issue is remarkable. The conflict surrounding Rani Durgavati and the Gondwana region feels like more than simple background material for Solomon Kane’s latest adventure. At times, I felt as though I were reading a chapter from a history book—with a bloodthirsty vampire and a Puritan adventurer thrown in for good measure!
What really caught my attention, however, were Zircher’s references to Marvel Comics’ The Sword of Solomon Kane (1985) #1 and #5. These are not references I expected to find in a modern Solomon Kane story, and their inclusion tells me Zircher has a genuine appreciation for what came before. He doesn’t appear interested in simply borrowing Robert E. Howard’s character and sending him on another adventure. Zircher seems to be a true fan of the old Marvel Comics series, and longtime readers are rewarded for knowing that history.
Great artwork, excellent writing, historical detail, and a healthy respect for Solomon Kane’s comic-book past—what more could I ask for? Titan Comics has put the character into the hands of someone who understands both the world he inhabits and the stories that helped build his comic-book legacy. Patrick Zircher earns five out of five stars for Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #2.
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