- SOLOMON KANE: THE SERPENT RING #1 (OF 4)
- Written & Illustrated by Patrick Zircher
- Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith
- Titan Comics & Heroic Signatures
- On Sale March 26, 2025
The ‘Sword of Vengeance’ slashes into his own new series, SOLOMON KANE: THE SERPENT RING! Kane battles from the Barbary Coast, across Southern Europe, to the canals of Venice, as a band of rogues forms around him in their quest for the fabled Serpent Ring of Set!
From now until the End of Days (the actual apocalypse, not the Schwarzenegger movie) I will be calling out for more Solomon Kane. Conan gets all the press, but not only is devout Kane a unique character in Robert E. Howard’s universe, but he has one of the most iconic looks in all comics and pulp literature. As he wades into battle, razor-edged rapier in his hand and a prayer for the dying in his heart, he’s a legend fit to stand alongside the likes of Conan, Kull, and Dark Agnes.
Far from Solomon’s first appearance in a comic, this is the first time he’s carried his own title in 15 years. But that doesn’t mean this is Patrick Zircher’s first go around with the unwavering Puritan. Coming out of a fantastic story serialized in the pages of the latest Savage Sword of Conan run, Zircher continues his dream gig as writer, artist, and superfan. The love he has for the character shows, sharper than a blade and burning with the explosive energy of a flintlock pistol.
There are pages where Zircher leans heavily into exposition, but it’s easy to forgive as he’s working hard to introduce characters and lay the groundwork for his story. Oh, and I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but for a comic book writer, Patrick Zircher is a damn good artist. From the blood-soaked deck of a ship overrun by freebooters on the open ocean to the beautiful streets of Venice, Zircher’s eye for detail is nothing short of amazing. Along with the pretty pictures, Zircher has a great hand at the action. A scene in particular features Solomon preparing to wade into battle, not in anger but in prayer… for his soon-to-be victims.
Sure, Patrick Zircher is handling duties as writer, artist, and colorist, but any good comic takes a village, right? Putting the finishing touches to The Serpent Ring, Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith bring Zircher’s script to life on the page. There’s a trick to good lettering, especially in a comic like this one with a lot to say. From dialogue to narrative, placing balloons and text boxes without getting in the way of the illustration is a gift. If you’ve never seen an example of bad lettering ruining a good comic, be thankful.
The heroes at Titan & Heroic Signatures have stepped up to the plate in a big way. After some false starts and bouts of “good enough”, there’s finally a comic run that embraces what Howard’s stories were all about. There’s savagery aplenty, with no blunted edges to soften the violence. And there are epic characters in the world, righting wrongs and wreaking havoc. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to jump into these stories, I don’t know what else I can say to help you take that last step.
Final Score: 12/13
