IDW Publishing 2017
Written by Tom Waltz
Illustrated by Luca Pizzari
Coloured by Triona Tree Farrell
Lettred by Christa Miesner
In Ancient Valusia, the great King Kull yearns for his warrior past as he grows increasingly despondent with the courtly duties of his royal present. In modern Antarctica, the deadly soldier Kull leads a group of mercenaries against evil Serpent Men, who are bent on protecting their frozen pyramid lair at all costs. And between both worlds, a bewitching woman called Zarunna guides Kull along a strange and seemingly timeless trek-a bizarre journey that begins in her father, the wizard Tuzun Thune's, mysterious House of a Thousand Mirrors...
So, Kull for me is akin to Conan in that I like him for his barbarian behaviour. I'll admit that I was a little disappointed when I realise that Kull would somehow end up in different era's like he's meant to fix the time stream from the shape changing Serpent Men. Then we get to this issue and we get the moment that things go awry from the King and we learn how he's time hopping, still not really clear on the why but that's alright we've got a few more issues before that's necessary and while I have an inkling we'll see if my guess is even close.
Well it's interesting to see the opening here with all them on a boat and Zarunna is there as well as Brule but this seems like their last stop and it's going to be a lot harder than what they've faced so far. That's the impression I'm getting here I could be wrong you never know but since time travel is involved nothing need stay in any one time period. With that being said we do go back to Valusia and see how things unfold in the beginning.
I find it interesting that the feel of the interior artwork changes depending on when they are. Luca does some really nice work but the Valusia stuff tends to lack the use of backgrounds more than the others do. I mean I love backgrounds they really seem to expand the panel, the page and the story. The use of page layouts with their angles and perspective showcase Luca's eye for storytelling. I really enjoy the violence we see and how it's depicted as well as the magic used to send them off all of it demonstrates some great imagination and creativity.
I like the characterisation here and how Kull really only talks when he has something to say. He isn't chatty but he's incredibly effective, ask Washington, at what he does. The strong silent type whose gaze is enough to tell you everything you need to know and I got to say it's damn hot! I'm still unclear on Zarunna's intentions but if they were of ill intent when this started by the end I don't believe it remain that way after seeing him in action while most of the time he's unaware of what is happening unlike herself who is completely aware.
This obsession with New Atlantis and the Elder Race is something that needs further exploration. I mean there could be a whole series that focuses on those of the Elder Race as they among the common men and influence history. I'd buy it because alternate reality stuff is always interesting. But here it takes a different aspect as Kull may be a king but he's a common man as well, see not of the Elder Race. Accordingly, to them he's a tool to be used, a blunt instrument to be wielded, or just point at what needs doing and send him off. It's both arrogant & insulting while kind of being complementary as he's one of those rare individuals who are aware of them.
Alright so i'm in now that this issue shows what it does. It's a very well-structured story that flows nicely and gives the reader what they need to sink their teeth into it.