A Meandering Yet Fun Adventure Awaits In Conan: Serpent War #3
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Conan the Barbarian and Dark Agnes ambush a convoy of Set’s followers in the Hyborian Age. The two overwhelm Set’s cultists with ease and learn of a vault holding the cultists’ treasures in Stygia. The two make their way to Stygia while, in another age, Moon Knight and Solomon Kane make their way into Turin, Italy. They’ve found a vault belonging to Set’s cultists as well. Both vaults hold a bracelet of immense power which belongs to Set. Both duos must destroy their respective bracelet if they’re to release Set’s stranglehold on our world. Meanwhile, James Allison’s mind clears and he learns the identity of the voice he’s been serving.
Conan: Serpent War #3 continues our heroes’ adventure across the world and ages as they seek to strike down Set and his cursed cult. They’re making progress in damaging the cult, but something worse may yet lurk on the horizon.
There’s not much indication that the Set cult is on its last figurative legs until the end of the comic, where the voice in James Allison’s head indicates that it’s losing its grip in our world. Without that, it just looks like more aimless slaughter of Set cultists.
If there is one major criticism of the Serpent War story, it’s that it’s all felt a little aimless. We know the end goal, but getting there is a vague mess of fighting faceless cultists. Plus, Conan and Moon Knight haven’t even met one another yet!
That aside, it’s still a fairly fun read. This issue delivers a lot of action, brought to life in vibrant detail by Luca Pizzari. The action sequences flow well and have a good bit of catharsis. Frank D’Armata doesn’t disappoint, giving the book a well-balanced color palette. Vanesa R. Del Rey renders the James Allison sequence, and it looks aptly creepy. Jean-Francois Beaulieu contributes the color art to this scene and it strikes the right atmosphere.
Conan: Serpent War #3 is a fun enough read. The pacing is wonky and the comic can seem directionless at times. That said, there’s enjoyment to be found in the ample action and the characters are easy to get into (especially Moon Knight of course). In the end, this one still earns a recommendation. Feel free to pick it up.
Conan: Serpent War #3 comes to us from writer Jim Zub, artists Luca Pizzari and Vannesa R. Del Rey, color artists Frank D’Armata and Jean-Francois Beaulieu, letterer Travis Lanham, cover artist Carlos Pacheco with Aneke and Frank D’Armata, and variant cover artists Kim Jacinto with Jesus Aburtov; Marcos Martin; and Giuseppe Camuncoli with Jean-Francois Beaulieu.
Final Score: 6.5/10
