CRUSADER #3, by Mad Cave Studios on 11/15/23, brings the knight new allies and a visit from old enemies when the realms gods make an offer to the knight he might not be able to refuse.
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: November 15, 2023
Is CRUSADER #3 Good?
CRUSADER #5 stacks up the body count and escalates the intrigue when the Templar Knight is confronted with the Pilgrim delivering a message from its masters. Matt Emmons’s latest chapter has no shortage of carnage and intrigue in the series’ most action-packed entry to date.
When last we left the Templar Knight, his trollish companion, Grimbel, led him to a human outpost, but the suspicious population wasn’t inclined to help mysterious strangers. After a duel to the death against Pilgrim outside and a duel to banishment against the outpost’s commander on the inside, Knight and Grimbel were soon back on the road without a clue where to go next. Now, the outpost leader, Meridian, tracks down Knight after concluding Knight is a realm traveler and offers to help. Meanwhile, Pilgrim arrives to cut down Meridian’s men during his mission to deliver a message to Knight from its masters.
If it sounds like too much is happening too quickly, it doesn’t. To Emmons’s credit, the plot moves quickly but remains clear, concise, and easy to follow. In short, you get plenty of satisfying storytelling for your money.
What’s great about CRUSADER #3? Emmons delivers plenty of slicing and dicing action that elevates Pilgrim to a nigh-unstoppable killing machine. Knight has his work cut out for him in his quest to return home while struggling to survive whatever the realm’s gods have planned for him.
What’s not so great about CRUSADER #3? Pilgrim’s savage attack on Meridian’s men is entertaining to watch, but it becomes ridiculous after a point. In the previous issue, Knight bested Pilgrim without too much trouble, and yet, a group of eighteen men can’t manage to attack at the same time. Yes, Emmons constructed the scene to make Pilgrim seem impossibly lethal, but Emmons only managed to get the impossible part right.
How’s the art? Admittedly, Emmons’s stylized art is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. The overly thick outlines are exceptionally loose, giving every character a “wavy” look, which isn’t particularly appealing. That said, Emmons pairs his art with his script perfectly.
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What’s CRUSADER #3 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our CRUSADER #2 review to find out what happened when Knight met this realm’s humans.
We begin with Templar Knight and Grimbel following a road away from the outpost. As they walk, Grimbel asks questions about Knight’s faith, his mission, and his Holy War. Knight is perplexed by how little he considered what he would do once the war ended.
Suddenly, Knight and Grimbel are surrounded by armed men, but the men are ordered back by their leader and outpost commander, Meridian. Meridian tells Knight he’s heard of other strange travelers who come from another realm, and if they agree to join forces, Meridian will help Knight to return home.
As soon as the deal is struck, Pilgrim sneaks into the area and begins killing Meridian’s men. We conclude the issue with a countdown, a watery message, and a lure.
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Final Thoughts
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CRUSADER #3 gives readers all the bloody action you can handle when Pilgrim hacks and slashes his way through Meridian’s men. The swordplay is fast-paced and exciting, and Emmons’s hyper-stylized art gets the job done, but you have to suspend more than a little disbelief to make the action work.
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