The episodic nature of Corpse Knight has been both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, each issue moves quickly with a cinematic flair. On the other hand, not a ton happens in each issue. Enter Corpse Knight #3, which not only thrusts our main characters into the most danger they’ve been in yet, but also provides a crumb of what could be an explanation as to how the knight was reanimated at all.
Corpse Knight #3 opens with Foy and her father following the trail of destruction left behind Joan of Arc. Foy hopes Joan of Arc can revive her father so he’s not just a speechless zombie. The young boy with her, however, understands her father has killed quite a few folks, one of whom was his grandfather. Nefarious actions are taken, and Foy becomes sick, setting in motion the Corpse Knights’ rush to save her, yet she is unable to speak or look the part of a living person.
A bit of a race against time, this issue shows the Corpse Knight can’t simply smash his way to every solution. It leads the townspeople to realize that he is undead and to chase him. Along the way, we get to see his strength at work and how kindness can still exist in the wilds of 1429 France.
The tail end of the issue fleshes out the supernatural elements that have so far been mysterious and unexplained. That includes information on Foy’s mother, a new enemy from the church, and a new perspective on Foy’s father. These new elements and the recontextualization of the Corpse Knight help further complicate the plot and the main story. No longer is it just a man and his daughter wandering the dangerous landscape, but a more direct conflict to navigate on their tale.
Art by Matthew Roberts with colors by Rico Renzi continues to be strong, with some interesting new visual ideas at work in this issue. At one point, the Corpse Knight holds his daughter, and the rendering is less detailed with more muted colors. It’s an interesting way to highlight the touching moment while drawing your eye and forcing you to linger. The attention to detail in close-ups is also great, like the eye of the Corpse Knight as medicine for his daughter goes flying, proving there’s a soul still in there, or his gritted gnarly teeth as he forces up extremely heavy weight. There’s also an interesting full-page splash montage of the Corpse Knight holding his daughter that’s quite good, showing him carrying her long distances, reaching a doctor, and beating the door with his fist. The moment’s rush is apparent in the art.
With far more plot development, however, there is still a lack of action apparent in previous issues. The horror ramps up, though, with a striking full-page splash.
Corpse Knight #3 feels like the issue where the series truly finds its footing. While earlier installments leaned heavily on atmosphere and premise, this chapter enriches the mythology and gives the narrative a stronger sense of momentum. The urgency surrounding Foy’s condition creates genuine tension, while hints about the Corpse Knight’s origins and the supernatural forces at work add welcome intrigue. Roberts and Renzi continue to excel visually, balancing brutal action with touching character moments that reveal the humanity still lurking beneath the armor and decay. By the final page, the story feels larger, more dangerous, and far more complicated than it first appeared, leaving plenty of reasons to return for the next chapter.
