Zorro - Man of the Dead #3: Bullets, Blood, and Swordplay
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
Zorro: Man of the Dead #3 is a fantastic entry in this series. From the panel and page designs, to the pacing and action, there is so much to appreciate from this issue.
Zorro: Man of the Dead takes a unique approach to the beloved character. Rather than recreate Zorro from scratch, writer/artist Sean Gordon Murphy has kept the history and legacy of the character in tact and crafted a story that reminds readers the power Zorro has as an icon. The values of justice and protecting those in need are timeless and this modern tale is certainly worth exploring.
Earlier issues introduced readers to Diego and Rosa, siblings who were orphaned at a young age and whose lives went in different directions. Rosa became a precision driver for the cartel, while Diego honed in his belief in justice, trained in combat, and now believes he is Zorro.
For those wondering, yes the concept of a delusional hero is on full display and Murphy’s script is comfortable with acknowledging this. It’s not done from a cyclical or satirical approach, but rather a unique spin on heroes and the symbolism behind them.
This issue has Zorro (Diego), his sister Rosa, and “El Cementerio” leading a group of villagers to a secret cave as they decide how to take on cartel leader El Rojo. There’s good use of exposition and the final act ends with a hook that will have readers psyched for issue #4 due in April.
The entire creative team has a lot to be proud of. The script is tight and the beautiful art from Murphy is perfectly paired with color palettes from Simon Gough. Combined with lettering from DC Hopkins, and this series is one of the best action/adventures comic book on stands—it’s certainly the most fun.
Final Verdict
Whether readers are new to Zorro or want to find a great and well written action comic, there is no need to look further than Zorro: Man of the Dead.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.75 |
| Story/Plot | 9.75 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.75 |
| Colors | 9.75 |
| Final Score | 9.75/10 |
Creative Team
writer/artist: SEAN GORDON MURPHY
colors: SIMON GOUGH
letterer: DC HOPKINS
publisher: MASSIVE
An exclusive digital release to Omnibus.app is due April 2024. The graphic novel is available for preorder now on Simon & Schuster. Click here for more details.