SOLOMON KANE: THE LION ERRANT #1 / Script, Art & Color by PATRICK ZIRCHER / Letters by RICHARD STARKINGS & COMICRAFT’S TYLER SMITH/ Published by TITAN COMICS

It has been several years since the Puritan witch-hunter Solomon Kane ran afoul of the Cult of Set. The so-called “Sword of Vengeance” now wields a staff of ancient power, more to safeguard it than to use it. Yet still does Kane continue to wander far from his home, seeking evils in need of smiting.

His journeys take him from the Swahili Coast to India, though he had little intention of heading eastward. Still, God’s will is Kane’s will and he trusts he will be sent where he is needed. If not neccesarily where he wishes to go.

This may indeed be the case. For there are political intrigues in that distant land full of many strange gods. There is also the kind of evil that Solomon Kane was born to fight!

Those who read the Titan Comics’ earlier Solomon Kane: The Serpent’s Ring will be on familiar ground with The Lion Errant. Thankfully, so will those who didn’t read the first miniseries or any Solomon Kane stories at all! Patch Zircher’s script is easily accessible, making reference to the earlier story but not requiring any advance knowledge.

As before, Zircher’s artwork is as detailed and vivid as his prose. It is truly astounding how many lines Zircher includes on each figure yet how crisp and clear those lines are. The colors are equally impressive, with Tyler Smith and Richard Starkings delivering the same stellar job on the lettering as before.

Solomon Kane: The Lion Errant is that rarest of all books; a sequel that lives up to the original that can also be enjoyed by newcomers. With a thrilling story and epic art, this is a must read for all comic readers. It is not just fans of Robert E. Howard and his work, though they will probably enjoy this one most of all.