Unholy Grail #3 Review
By Ashish Thomas
Unholy Grail is a dark retelling of Merlin, King Arthur, and Camelot. The latest chapter in the story comes out Wednesday, and it sets in motion many things. Check out our review of Unholy Grail #1 here
The issue kicks off with Merlin leading King Arthur to the lady of the lake. Arthur pleads with Merlin for more weapons as he knows how dangerous the lady of the lake is and her true form. Merlin reminds Arthur that he suggested Arthur take no weapons not required Arthur is king and can make decisions by himself. We see Arthur meet the Lady of the Lake who seems enamored with Arthur and gifts him Excalibur with conditions. Arthur must visit the Lady of the Lake often and love no other but the Lady of the Lake. Arthur pledges “no other until his reign has ended.”
The issue moves ahead to Arthur’s wedding day to Guinevere. The day is met with much pomp and circumstance. Later we see Guinevere speak to Merlin, Guinevere asks if she will be a good queen and make Arthur happy. Merlin warns of unhappy times and tribulations coming and that the queen will be lonely. Guinevere not satisfied with the response rebukes Merlin. Merlin walks away again saying that he doesn’t force decisions on Arthur. While leaving Merlin sees a man who is obsessed with Guinevere.
Next Guinevere is kidnapped, Arthur finds out he looks for Merlin when he cannot be located he starts the search for Guinevere. All the Knights of Camelot searched the kingdom far and wide. Eventually, Arthur and Lancelot find Guinevere. Lancelot warns that its a dangerous place filled with malevolence. Arthur and Lancelot find and saves Guinevere with Lancelot protecting the queen and Arthur killing all the monsters. Outside we see the stalker get betrayed and murdered by Merlin.
Back at Camelot we see the Queen visit Lancelot’s room, where she comes on to Lancelot and betrays the King. Afterward, she runs into Merlin the biggest shock of the issue comes from this meeting. If you want to find out the shocking twist, you must buy Unholy Grail #3 issue out Wednesday.
Unholy Grail #3 pushes the story forward in many ways. We see the betrayal of Arthur and the pledge of Arthur to the Lady of the Lake. I like the pacing of the and reveals of this issue. This issue gives us pieces of Merlin’s long game and the ending of the issue gave us one of the most shocking moments of the series so far. The Art of Mirko Colak and the Colors of Maria Santaolalla make Camelot breathtaking and makes the action and characters astounding. Another fantastic issue from Cullen Bunn and company Unholy Grail keeps getting better and better.
UNHOLY GRAIL #3 / $3.99 / 32 pages / Color
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Mirko Colak
Colorist: Maria Santaolalla
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: AfterShock Comics
on-sale: 9/20/17
