By Marini and Desberg
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 9781849180290
The previous volume saw the Scorpion, Hussar and Mejai arriving in the Holy Land in pursuit of St Peter's cross, but they're not alone. What they do have to their advantage is that hunting out relics is very much the Scorpion's speciality. Although it's an uneasy alliance with Mejai, their combined talents benefit them all, and as the Scorpion later comments, Mejai just keeps on stumbling into his path.
They're being pursued by Rochnan and the warrior monks, have to contend with the local villains, fend off bandits, and find the cross before the crafty and curvaceous Ansea Latal. But the Scorpion isn't too concerned when, with a nod to Raiders of the Lost Ark, he realises Ansea is digging in the wrong place.
Again, this is beautifully drawn and painted by Marini, while Desberg's script is tightly paced and jammed pack with just the right balance of adventure, drama and wit. The Scorpion has the finesse of Errol Flynn and the heart of Indiana Jones, and in fact all the characters wouldn't go amiss on the big screen (or a well-funded TV show).
So far The Scorpion series has managed to capture a sense of fun and excitement that is rarely seen in comic form, and without compromising the darker drama or turning the likes of Trebaldi into pantomime villains. The active conspiracy at the top of the Catholic church, the antiquities, and the attention spent on depicting the vivid historical and geographical locations make this an intelligent and entertaining read from cover to cover.
There's a rather intriguing cliffhanger ending too, so, naturally, I'll be reaching for volume 4.
And if you liked that: You should enjoy Long John Silver
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