Advance Review: There’s Little To Like In ‘Crusader’ #1

Let’s get this out of the way to begin with: I do not think Crusader is a good comic book.

How bad is it? I’ll put it this way: the high point – by far – is the Diamond exclusive cover by Michael Walsh. If that seems damning with faint praise, it’s intentional.

Crusader is meant to be the story of a Knight Templar that is transported to another world while fighting in the pivotal Battle of Acre in 1291. In the opening scenes we see our heroic knight – we are not told his name – slicing through the enemy all the way out of the city to some cave somewhere. Never mind the fact that this particular battle was a terrible loss for the Crusaders. Somehow, this guy stumbles upon a cave where heretics are performing human sacrifice. By breaking up their spell in mid-ritual, he’s somehow transported to another place called the Beastlands.

Most readers are used to a bit of poetic license, especially for a comic book story like this one. But this tale borders on ridiculousness. Writer and illustrator Matt Emmons would have you believe he’s telling a story about fanatical faith – how extremes can be contradictory in tone. It’s a valid point of view. But it’s one that is never fleshed out, at least in this premiere issue.

Adding insult to injury is the artwork. There are a couple of panels that look OK. A few are almost exciting – blood staining the cobblestones sweat running into the templar’s bloodshot eye. But the rest of it is frankly not worthy of a professional comic book. In fact, the whole thing has the feel of a high schooler’s pet project.

Somehow, though, Crusader is making its way to a comic book store near you. I’d avoid it.

Crusader #1 will be available for purchase on September 6, 2023.