CRUSADER #2, from Mad Cave Studios on 10/18/23, brings the Crusader and his goblin-esque guide to the first group of humans the Crusader has seen since arriving in this strange land.
The Details
- Written by: Matt Emmons
- Art by: Matt Emmons
- Colors by: Matt Emmons
- Letters by: Andriy Lukin
- Cover art by: Matt Emmons
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: October 18, 2023
Is CRUSADER #2 Good?
Well, okay. CRUSADER #2 takes the leisurely path to storytelling in Matt Emmons’s latest issue because the Crusader is just wandering around, looking for help. Stealing a page out of MMOs where players are free to wander and explore realms as much as they like, CRUSADER #2 feels more like the preface to a D&D handbook than an actual comic story.
When last we left the Crusader, he interrupted an unholy cult’s ritual and wound up sucked through a vortex to a fantasy world of myths and monsters. The Crusader saved the life of a small creature named Grimbel, who offered to show the Crusader to a location with other humans. Now, Grimbel and the Crusader find a human outpost but not the warm welcome the Crusader hoped for.
To be clear, the monster raised by a dark force also appears in this issue and attempts to kill the Crusader. However, the monster is split in two by the Crusader’s swordwork, giving the (immortal) monster intel on the Crusader’s capability.
What’s great about CRUSADER #2? The action. If you had to pin it down to one aspect that’s most memorable about this comic, it’s the brutal swordplay. The Crusader is truly not someone to be messed with.
What’s not so great about CRUSADER #2? Aside from the obvious goal of getting home, the plot in issue #2 meanders aimlessly. The Crusader walks through the woods, gets attacked by the immortal monster, reaches the human camp, gets kicked on, and moves on. It literally feels like this plot is wandering around.
How’s the art? The art is fine for a creator-owned indie property. Emmons’s inks are solid, albeit unrefined, and the character designs are distinctive. It’s not the best art in the world, but it’s good enough for the story being told.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s CRUSADER #2 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our CRUSADER #1 review to find out how a Templar Knight wound up in a strange land.
We begin with the Knight and Grimbal walking through the woods toward the human encampment in a nearby castle. Grimbal warns the Knight to be wary of the woods and asks about the Holy Cross the Knight wears on his armor. Soon, the monster resurrected at the end of the last issue attempts an ambush, but the Knight kills the monster handily.
Later, the Knight and Grimbel reach the human camp, but fearing the two might be spies for the Masters, the two are denied entry. When the Knight forces his way in, he’s met with heavy resistance and thrown out.
We conclude the issue with raised suspicions, a report, and a questing party.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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CRUSADER #2 wanders around and explores the realm as the Templar Knight haphazardly looks for help getting home. Emmons’s individual scenes are interesting, the fights are exciting, and the art is serviceable, but it’s too soon to tell if this series is going anywhere.
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