DEAD KINGDOM #3, from Red 5 Comics on December 28th, 2022, recounts how Kain earned his reputation as an elite, honorable soldier on the battlefield and the terrible price his honor cost him.
The Details
- Written by: Etienne Derepentigny
- Art by: Etienne Derepentigny
- Colors by: Etienne Derepentigny
- Letters by: Jerome Gagnon
- Cover art by: Etienne Derepentigny
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: December 28, 2022
Is It Good?
DEAD KINGDOM #3 takes a break from the present conflict to showcase Kain’s early years, his evolution into a respected soldier, and the consequences of a terrible battle that left him scarred. DEAD KINGDOM #3 would typically be considered a breather issue, but this issue accomplishes much in terms of character-building and important backstory to lay the foundation for whatever comes next.
Etienne Derepentigny expertly crafts Kain’s backstory as a man guided by circumstance (Fate?) to become one of the great soldiers of his time. We see how Kain was almost delivered to the military for training since birth. We experience Kain’s struggle to become a fighter by continually getting knocked down and still choosing to get up again and again. And when the final battle responsible for Kain’s scars arrives, we see how time and endless battle can break even the sturdiest of men.
This isn’t a story about knights clashing swords. This is a story about fathers and sons, expectations, and legacy. Hats off to Derepentigny for concocting a thoughtful, poignant, “family” drama at the heart of a zombie horror comic.
But for Gagnon’s excellent lettering, this comic is a one-person creation, so it makes sense that Derepentigny’s art would seamlessly match the emotional intensity and action of the script. Every dramatic beat is captured perfectly, every look of shock, horror, and anger is timed just right, and the rhythm of the scene transitions flows beautifully.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our DEAD KINGDOM #2 review to find out how Kain found himself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
We begin with a montage of Kain’s birth and the tragic circumstances that put him in the care of the King’s officers, especially his eventual father figure, Captain Arthur. Even as a boy, Kain was subjected to harsh training by the Captain with one goal in mind – to turn Kain into the greatest soldier on the battlefield.
During the last battle of a 4-year war, the Captain, Kain, and their men stand victorious over the enemies of King Alexander. Separated during the fight, Kain begins searching for his Captain to rejoin for a much-needed rest. We conclude the issue with the Captain’s work not yet finished, a disagreement over honor, and the price of blind loyalty.
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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DEAD KINGDOM #3 takes a break from the present to outline Kain’s evolution into an elite soldier and the heartbreaking event that scarred him for life. The emotional beats are powerful, the violence is brutal, and Derepentigny’s art captures it all flawlessly.
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