Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #1 Review
A New Tale Begins
Off the Barbary Coast, Solomon Kane finds himself in the service of Queen Elizabeth. Among an unruly bunch of mongrels, Solomon becomes intertwined with a promise that he must keep when an innocent life is taken in the swashbuckling madness. In Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #1, Solomon traverses the sea to find the one he must deliver a mysterious item to a recipient of interest. On his journey, many seek to come between him and his promise to a man who has entrusted him to carry out his word. While the Puritan travels by steed, Solomon finds that he is a person of interest, and not all encounters are the friendliest of discourse. As a man of faith, conviction, and morality, nothing will stop him in his path and intrigue. What lingers in the balance is the effect Solomon will undergo on this peculiar adventure. It begs to ask if Solomon Kane himself will succumb to the influences set ahead of him.
Written, colored, and illustrated by Patrick Zircher (Conan the Barbarian, Eternal Warrior, Powers of X), Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #1 breathes a new tale in the adventures of Solomon Kane’s life. Nearly 15 years have passed since the last story of Robert E. Howard’s character made an appearance in the comic book world. The last time anyone saw Solomon was when he was nursing his injuries from a fierce battle that tested his will and courage. With Zercher reviving the series with something new, it’s interesting to see where the character development will evolve into. Solomon is an incredibly complex character built on the foundations of experiences and convictions that I believe Zircher captured in the first issue of this comic book. There is a cool part about how the story is written, and that part is that the story doesn’t reveal too much. There is no feeding a reader so that it’s easy to follow. It’s simply a digestive ride that anyone can hop on from the start. The reader and story are at the same pace, so there’s a connection of experiencing every moment together.
In terms of experiencing every moment, Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #1 has intriguingly detailed exteriors. Zircher’s eye for inclusion adds another layer of storytelling in the sense of scene location and how that location is set apart from any other panel in the story. Additionally, the scenes that take place in the book set a mood with interactions involving certain characters. From the streets of Venice to the badlands, those panels added more depth surrounding the characters involved in the story than any previous Solomon Kane comic.
As for colors, Zircher did a fantastic job. Panels were vibrant and saturated with robust colors that overall gave the comic book its radiant disposition.
The lettering by Richard Starkings (The Avengers, Batman, Battle Chaser) and Tyler Smith (Canary, Fantastic Four, Blood Type) in Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #1 feels like something out of a movie. While a lot is happening in the world of Solomon Kane, both Starkings and Smith understand the key components of word placement to keep the story progressing smoothly. Their dynamic work on the comic book was well done.
As for the cover, JH Williams III’s (Spawn, The Holy Rider, American Vampire) cover work screams adventure waiting for an interested reader to pick up in a comic book store. The cover alone entices a potential reader and establishes its title as written across the front page. Williams added a lot of detail to his illustration upon closer inspection. As this might go unnoticed by some readers, the cover gives the comic book a sense of uniqueness that doesn’t give too much but gives the right amount of information.
Overall, Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #1 is a great read for readers. For old fans of Solomon Kane, it’s safe to say disappointment isn’t what it is in this story. For new fans looking for good writing and adventure, try starting here instead. If interested, copies can be purchased online or in person where they are sold.
Comic Details
Writer: Patrick Zircher
Artist: Patrick Zircher
Colorist: Patrick Zircher
Lettering: Richard Starkings, Comiccraft’s Tyler Smith
Cover: JH Williams III
Editor: Chris Butera
Publisher: Titan Comics
Release Date: March 26, 2025
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics who resides in the city of Washington, D.C. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he attends popular culture conventions both locally and out of state. Whether he’s searching for rare comic finds or engaging in video games, or reading manga he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandom. Follow along as he explores the worlds of superheroes, sci-fi, and beyond, always with a keen eye for adventure and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling.
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