Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #2 Review – World-Building On The Eve Of War

Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #2 (Titan Comics, 8/19/26): Writer/Artist Patrick Zircher sends Solomon Kane east with his lion ally, where he encounters a hospitable shah and a pair of old friends. Meanwhile, the two khans prepare for war. Long on setup and short on tension, Zircher’s tale is rich with atmosphere. Verdict: A fine addition to Solomon Kane lore, albeit a dense read.

• Writer: Patrick Zircher
• Artist: Patrick Zircher
• Colorist: Patrick Zircher
• Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
• Cover Artist: Liam Sharp (cover A)
• Publisher: Titan Comics
• Release Date: August 19, 2026
• Comic Rating: Mature (nudity)
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #2:

First Impressions:

Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #2 is one of those issues where you’re not quite sure if you like it or not. Why? After two very dense issues, you’re still not sure where the story is going. Robert E. Howard fans will always want more Solomon Kane, but Zircher needs to pick up the pace and get to the point.

Recap:

In Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #1, Solomon Kane arrives in India, guided by a mystical staff and the unexpected protection of a massive lion, as he continues his quest to destroy evil. Meanwhile, Queen Durgavati rejects Emperor Asaf Khan’s offer of military aid in exchange for marriage, prompting him to authorize General Ramih to invade her territory. After Ramih murders a holy man, the dead man returns as a vampire and pays the general a terrifying nighttime visit.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

Solomon Kane travels eastward in India, urged by his mystical staff and protected by the lion who saved him from crocodiles in the previous issue. When he’s nearly shot by a hunting party, Kane meets (with profuse apologies) Qara Khan, who offers Kane the pleasures of his palace to make amends. Kane agrees, and his visit to the palace is elevated when he finds his old friends, Abramo Bendais and his daughter Diamanta, are staying with Khan on a research trip.

During their reacquaintance, Kane recounts the circumstances that led to his acquisition of the staff. During a battle in France, Kane was too late to save a young woman who was callously murdered by a man named Le Loup. He swore an oath to avenge the girl’s death, and his vengeance quest eventually led to the Kong, where Kane was captured by a tribe under the manipulations of Le Loup. Kane was set to be sacrificed to the tribe’s gods, along with a shaman named N’Longa. The shaman used magic to raise zombies that stopped the sacrifice, freed Kane, and gave the hero the opening he needed to kill Le Loup. A year later, Kane reunited with N’Longa, who gave Kane the staff to aid him in his adventures against evil.

Now, Rani Durgavati gathers her generals to prepare for war against the two khans. The two khans make preparations of their own by bringing in specialized cannons and forming an alliance with the vampire from the end of issue #1.

How is the story in Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #2?

If you’ve read the description above and say to yourself, “Whew! That’s a lot,” that description only captures about 5 pages of the comic. The rest of the issue is filled with smaller character interactions, some of which are important characters and others involve characters you won’t remember but who may or may not be important. Yes, it is a lot. Arguably, it’s too much, especially when the forward focus of the plot isn’t clear and the main character – Solomon Kane – has nothing to do with the imminent war… yet.

To be clear, more Solomon Kane is good, so fans will take what they can get, but comics are a visual medium. Patrick Zircher’s script blurs the lines between a book and comic, turning this series into an illustrated novel that’s too dense to reach its potential.

How is the art in Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #2?

The art is fantastic. Patrick Zircher is a one-man band with this miniseries, and it’s clear he put his all into the visual presentation. Every panel is sumptuously detailed, super clean, and outright gorgeous. There’s nothing to criticize about the art. It just needs a tighter, more purposeful script.

Characters

I’d love to say Solomon Kane carries the weight of this issue as the lead character, but that’s not quite true. Multiple characters posture, explain, converse, disagree, agree, plan, scheme, etc., so you’re not quite sure whose journey you’re following. Admittedly, Kane gets more page time in this issue when compared to issue #1, but most of his present activity involves walking and talking with allies. The drama plays out elsewhere.

Originality & Concept Execution

So far, Zircher is telling an original story set in India, involving a variant of a vampire that most readers won’t recognize. That’s a big positive. However, Kane’s flashback describing how he acquired a staff is largely an adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s story “Red Shadows.” The meatiest, most exciting portion of the comic isn’t an original creation at all.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Immaculate art
• Cool moments of mysticism
• Clear answers about the staff and vampire

Room for Improvement

• The density kills the pacing
• Solomon is still a background character
• The plot lacks focus, stakes

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 1.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 4/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2

Final Thoughts:

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Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant #2 draws Solomon Kane deeper into India, where he encounters old friends and tells strange tales on the eve of war. Patrick Zircher’s art is gorgeous, and the story is largely original, but the writing is so dense and lacking in focus that you feel like you’re reading a novel about an Indian Game of Thrones, wherein Solomon Kane is a side character.

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