Savage Avengers, Vol. 3: Enter the Dragon

Savage Avengers (2019)

by Jackson Guice, Adam Gorham (Artist), Patrick Zircher (Artist)

Collects Savage Avengers (2019) #11-16.

The terrible secret of Kulan Gath’s power is revealed! Can Doctor Strange and Elektra deal with this unbelievable horror? Speaking of horror, something is killing the Shuma-Goraths! That would usually be great news, but Kulan Gath thinks he’s finally figured out how to consume the elder god — and that’s bad news for our plane of existence! Strange and Elektra have a plan, though, and the Savage Avengers will assemble! Conan the Barbarian, Wolverine, Black Widow, Hellstrom, Brother Voodoo, Magik and more draw up a last-ditch battle plan — and Conan must wield a most unexpected weapon in the fight against darkness! When Kulan Gath’s plan involves the international drug trade, you can bet on the Punisher crashing the party — but what brings the Black Knight and the Juggernaut into the fray?

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 2021

About the author

see also under Butch Guice

Jackson "Butch" Guice was an American comics artist who worked in the comics industry beginning in the 1980s.

Reviews

[Khurram]

I love the Savage Avengers. I will admit I am a bit biased as Conan, Elektra and Doctor Strange are 3 of my favourite Marvel characters.

The book has it all for me. Great artwork, good story and a lots of action. The Savages use every weapon at their disposal, whatever comes to hand. They even manage to use some team work.

This volume contains the origin of Kulan Gath's power, a couple of new recruits, dragons, demons, cultists, and gangsters (they did need a reason for the Punisher to be there).

A great volume that reall luves up to the Savage moniker. As much action that is in this book, this is still only the setup to the final battle. I can't wait to see that. Every chapter starts with that issue cover the cover gallery at the end contains full page spreads of the varients covers

[Chad]

This book has been a lot of insane, gory fun. Kulan Gath is growing Elder Gods to eat for power. Oh, how Kulan Gath gains his power is revealed and it's gruesome. Conan beats an elder god to death with a prosthetic leg. This series is nuts.

The art is good too. Patch Zircher with a fill in by Butch Guice. I do wish Marvel would get the rights resolved so this along with the other Conan comics would show up on Marvel Unlimited.

[Jesús De la Jara]

Siempre que Magik está en un crossover u otro de mis personajes favoritos trato de verlos. En este caso ahora vemos que Conan el bárbaro (!) está en Marvel y no sólo eso en un equipo de Avengers (Savage Avengers) está inmerso en una aventura mágica. El poderoso y maligno hechizero Kulan Gath que tiene un dominio de las artes mágicas e incluso el espacio y tiempo gracias a comerse literalmente a los hechizeros más poderosos de todas las eras amenaza con acabar con la existencia del mundo. Para ello el Dr. Strange reunirá un equipo con Wolverine, Black Knight, Magik, Viuda Negra, Elektra y otros para poder pararlo, lo primero es recuperar uno de los tres ojos de Agamoto que está en posesión del dragón Sadurang (asgardiano) y de paso combatir la influencia de Kulan Gath donde se pueda. El argumento es simple y la división de los episodios muy bueno te permite seguir la caza del malvado mago. Y desde luego mis partes favoritas donde sale Magik, pasé un buen rato también viéndola darle de golpes a un dragón jaja.

[Chris Lemmerman]

The Savage Avengers have some preparations to make once Doctor Strange and Elektra finally discover the source of Kulan Gath's power. These preparations include fighting a dragon, and beating up demonically possessed drug addicts. Because of course they do.

This volume opens with two one and done stories - the first is a flashback to Kulan Gath's new origin (although I don't know if it contradicts his previous origins, since I'm not overly familiar with the character), while the second is a side story featuring Conan beating up a monster with a prosthetic leg. This series is bonkers, and I really enjoy it.

The bulk of the volume is then the remaining four issues, which splits the team in half as they go after the previously mentioned dragon and drug addicts; each team contributes something towards the larger battle with Kulan Gath, but he feels very passive in this volume, only really appearing for some creepy monologues rather than battling the team directly, so it feels a bit lacklustre in terms f the overall plot.

The artwork's fairly solid - Butch Guice draws the flashback issue, Adam Gorham handles the set-up prelude, and then Patrick Zircher returns for the four main issues. I'm glad we've shed Mike Deodato entirely at this point, and while the book isn't completely consistent artwise, this one's probably the closest we've come thus far.

Savage Avengers stalls its momentum a little with some side stories that are enjoyable, but seem like a detour from the driving force of the book. They're tangentially linked, and the dialogue between the characters (including some fun guest stars) is still great, as is the artwork, but there's definitely a hint of spinning wheels.

[Oscar]

Pretty good!

[Rod Brown]

Dr. Strange time travels to view Kulan Gath's origin and then assembles a team of antiheroes to . . . disrupt supply lines and gather matériel. Okay, this is not going to be a quick campaign. It's gotten sooo dark magic serious and dreary with Conan popping up for comic relief with his barbaric flirting, constant drinking, and shouts of, "Meet your doom!"

I'm won't avoid future volumes, nor will I seek them out.

[Subham]

This was another fun one!

Dr Strange and Elektra are a pair now and as Stephen goes in the past and sees the origin of Kulan Gath, he knows what he must do and he gather the Savage Avengers wherever they have been and they go on different missions. One team must go and find the Acolytes of Gath and prevent the drug thing and that was a cool story meanwhile in other situation, Conan and Juggernaut and Magik must fight Sadurang some asgardian sorcerer and that was one of the best things ever. The art there was fantastic especially the way the dragon is depicted.

Its one of the best volumes so far and is just pure action and you can see the team come slowly and taking the fights to the villain as we learn of the twisted motives and plans of this vile sorcerer and I am loving the random team ups between Conan and all these people. Its a fun crossover and the artist is hitting it right out of the part. Dr Strange gets some great moments though.

[Sem]

The insanity has toned down somewhat, which is a shame. But any time Conan has to get into a fight with a cosmic abomination that he just finished, uh, bedding is a fun time. Plus, Magik is great here, especially in #16.

[Kyle Dinges]

Savage Avengers isn't on Marvel Unlimited due to licensing issues with Conan so I checked out the first 3 volumes from the library.

The first 2 volumes were fine but I felt like volume 3 helped the series find its legs a bit more. The creative team is leaning a bit more into the savage namesake and I think the book is better off for it. It's nothing special but it's fun and packed with action. I'm not sure it's a 3 star book, but Magik is heavily involved so that's enough to earn an extra star from me.

[James]

Doctor Strange has a plan to slow down Kulan Gath. Some of the characters from the first volume are back and Strange and company recruit a few more. This book is just like the last two, big action and a lot blood and gore. Two big blows were dealt to Kulan Gath’s plans in this one. I see this series is still going. I’m hope they make an omnibus. I’d buy it.

[Paxton Holley]

Love this gritty collection of heroes featuring Conan, Dr Strange, Elektra, Wolverine, and several others in battle with one of the most powerful evil sorcerers of all time, Kulan Gath. Lots of occult-y fun.

[Garrett]

This was a mostly good volume. Little bit slow towards the beginning but gave us lots of background info on Kulan Gath. Can’t wait to read the final two volumes. Kinda disappointed they left Venom out.

[C.T. Phipps]

SAVAGE AVENGERS is a bizarre R-rated version of the New Avengers "street level" team and works very well with Doctor Strange, Elektra, the Punisher, and, of course, Conan the Barbarian. This version has Conan and company going up against a drug cult that has been turning its users into hosts for Shuma Gorath--the results resembling victims of Starro the Conqueror. There's a hilarious moment where Conan talks about slaying one of the possessed among prostitutes he was with and then going back to 'business.' Which appalls everyone else in the group of murderers and thieves.

Fun stuff.

Oh and Doctor Strange hooks up with Elektra.

[Adam Fisher]

I kind of love this title, or at least the idea of it. They come off as the Justice League Dark or even the X-Force of the Avengers. No one on this team takes crap from anyone and they are all dangerous on their own.
Highlights:
- After a surprising hook up session with Elektra (in which she is mostly naked under his cape), Doctor Strange uses his Eye of Agamotto to delve into the past of Kulan Gath. His most significant find? Gath is gaining power by eating people and beings with power. Power through cannibalism? Does that sound like normal Marvel to you? :)
- Gathering the team together, Strange learns that Gath is working on summoning Shuma-Gorath, and eating him, which would spell out certain doom for everyone.
- They divide into teams: 1) Conan, Magik, Black Knight, and Juggernaut go to get the Power Eye of Agamotto from Sadurang, an Asgardian Red Dragon. They are able to overcome it by Magik allowing the dragon to nap in Limbo, though they do get whooped fairly bad first. (Amazing cool moment: Juggernaut dropped from high in the atmosphere to land on the dragon - BAM) 2) Wolverine, Black Widow, Punisher, Elektra, and Helstrom head off to Mexico to stop Gath's supply of Shuma-Gorath underlings who are being summoned with the use of tainted cocaine.

Overall, I enjoy the raw and darkness of this comic. Reminds me of old Ghost Rider or Blade team-ups. Recommend. Hope this title continues for a good while.

[Guilherme Smee]

A equipe dos Vingadores Selvagens se amplia para comportar também a Viúva Negra, Daimon Hellstrom, Illyana Rasputin e nesse rescaldo o Fanático e o Cavaleiro Negro. Enquanto uma força-tarefa vai à América do Sul combater trficantes de uma droga que transforma seus viciados em seguidores do deus ctônico Shuma-Gorath (sim, aquele mesmo do jogo Marvel vs. Capcom), outra força-tarefa precisa recuperar o terceiro Olho de Agamotto que está sob posse de uma dragão asgardiano. O destaque vai para os ótimos desenhos de Patrick Zircher, enquanto o roteiro de Gerry Duncan cumpre o riscado, mas não surpreende, não vai muito além disso. Claro, o legal é ver todos esses personagens reunidos com Conan, Wolverine, Elektra, Justiceiro, Doutor Estranho, Irmão Vodu. Mas só reunir heróis casca-grossa não foi suficiente nesse volume que tem os ares de uma equipe perdida dos anos noventa.

[Quentin Wallace]

This is a book that shouldn't work. The characters being thrown together should just make for a mess of a story, and in a way it is, but it's also good. It's interesting to see all the weirdness the unusual group encounters. Who'd have ever thought we'd see Conan, Wolverine, Juggernaut, Magik, Black Widow, Elektra, Dr. Strange, The Black Knight, Brother Voodoo, and The Punisher all on the same team? I may have even missed a character or two as there are a lot of them.

So the group is attempting to stop the evil sorcerer Kulan Gath from getting the power of Shuma Gorath (think Cthulhu) and taking over the world. Along the way they have to battle some magic using drug dealers and a dragon. Yes, a dragon. For this book, that's one of the more normal happenings.

The art is nice and I am a big fan of several of the characters, so for me this series is a blast.

[Emmett Spain]

Another badass book in this badass run. Awesome art, cool characters, a formidable villain, and a great story make this a pleasure to read. Some of the most inventive and cool fights I’ve read in ages, too. Can’t get enough of this.

[Eye-ra]

I continue to love this series. It’s just a lot of fun. Nuff said.

[J.M. Giovine]

The quest to hunt down Kulan Gath, and stopping his evil cult of followers continues, this time, with a brand-new alliance of heroes to go alongside Doctor Strange, who finally accepts he needs the help of Conan the Barbarian, to defeat Gath and his goal of consuming Shuma-Gorath in order to become the most powerful Sorcerer Supreme, bringing Earth to total annihilation.
I didn’t find the previous volume as investing and well-presented as the first one, but I was glad that Duggan- apparently- understood the basics of how to make this crossover-story as engaging and entertaining as he started with in the first place. While I enjoyed having Doctor Doom in the mix of this overall story, and the introduction of Strange to the scenery, I didn’t believe the story in those chapters was that investing. Now, we’re back to basics, bringing back the likes of Wolverine, even Punisher once again to re-stablish the actual line-up of the original team who’ll go along with Conan on his quest.
Just as the main cover of this TPB suggests, more Marvel-characters will join forces with our team; Magik, Doctor Voodoo, and even others such as Juggernaut, and Black Knight, will make an appearance as guest stars, and I’ll say, the way Duggan utilizes each one was terrific and tons of fun. Initially, the story picks up right after issue #10, with Strange acknowledging the help of Conan, since he might be the only one capable of stopping Kulan Gath. Alongside Elektra, the assassin, Strange will travel to Mexico looking for Conan, who’s apparently hunting down people who’s been infected with Shuma-Gorath after consuming altered drugs distributed by the cartel. Prior to this, Strange travels to the Shuma-Gorath dimension, to understand what’s going on, and find out where did Kulan Gath came from, resulting in him and Elektra gathering forces with other Marvel characters, who already either collaborated in previous volumes, or are new additions to the party: Magik, Wolverine, Hellstrom, Black Widow, and the objective of recruiting also Frank Castle, a.k.a., The Punisher, since they’re after a Mexican cartel, all of this, of course, accompanied by the mythical Conan. Now, our heroes will travel not only to Mexico to stop the priest who’s unleashing the Shuma-Gorath decease, but also, to England, in order to defeat a red dragon who’s apparently in possession of one of the three eyes of Agamotto, needed to stop Gath and his evil forces, but the task wont be easy, so the help of the unstoppable-and now reformed- Juggernaut, and the Black Knight will be required.
Tons of action, blood, sex, and violence in this volume, which goes from issue #11 to #16, and with Gerry Duggan once again helming the main story, while three artists add the variety needed on the visual department. In this case, Butch Guice, who magnificently illustrates issue #11, Adam Gorham, in charge of issue # 12, and Patrick Zircher, who draws the pencils on the remaining four issues. Each artist gives their unique style, and all of them feel adequate to the job. If I’d have to pick one, I’ll say Guice was excelling on the introductory issue; his art is so sketchy and visceral, I felt a little bad not having him illustrating the rest of the book. Zircher is the one coming back from the previous volume, and he was fine, I’ve never complained about his style, but compared to what Valerio Giangiordano, and Frank D’Armata accomplished with their covers, I felt Guice was the artist indicated to complement the interiors throughout these six issues. Gorham was the lesser of these artists, and while he wasn’t that bad either, there’s something about the way he draws faces that I don’t really like, compared to the other artists in this.
As for Duggan’s script, he still demonstrates how much he likes these characters, especially Conan, who’s on point for this, even though this might be the volume with less of his presence. In fact, the story seems to be closer to Strange as a protagonist, rather than the Cimmerian, and that’s a considerable flaw. Also, there were “gratuitous moments” here and there, like Elektra and Strange having sex on issue 12 out of nowhere, and after delivering Doctor Voodoo’s brother to the underworld as a payment for Strange to look into Gath’s past. Like, I might be unaware of certain Marvel relationships but, Strange and Elektra? When did that happen? Even if they previously had something, this just felt spontaneous and random. I guess if you really needed to have a couple of characters sleeping with each other, why not someone more alike, for example, Elektra with Conan, Or Black Widow with Conan. Even Magik is here, although she’s more like a guest-character, and has the smaller amount of dialogue once she’s introduced, so having her sleeping with the Barbarian would’ve seemed weird. I don't know, all I'm saying, is that Conan deserved the privilege of having some kinky fun with a Marvel femme fatale. Also, as much as I loved to see them in anything, the presence of Juggernaut and Black Knight felt like a last-minute resort, without really any build-up or something that connects them to the actual plot.
Regardless, I enjoyed this, despite its evident flaws; I liked the violence, and the final issues shower of action sequences. Both the fight against the cartel alongside Punisher, and the battle against the red dragon, Sadurang the Spectacular, was also a lot of fun, and you can tell how eager Zircher was to draw those frames, and characters. I’m looking forward to the last two volumes, since I’m interested on seeing where this is going, also, I’d like to see which other crossovers will occur; I have my own character-selection to share some screentime with Conan the Barbarian, and I might have an idea of who else will be here. So far, this is one of the most enjoyable Marvel titles from the last few years, considering how dull and restrained these properties have become, I’m happy to see some unapologetic-brainless classic spectacle between some of comic-books’ most popular characters, and Robert E. Howard’s baby, and while this isn’t exactly top-notch storytelling, or a truthful adaptation of Howard’s legacy, it’s not a product that’ll diminish or disrespects its image either.

[Sandra]

Die Savage Avengers müssen einige Vorbereitungen treffen, wenn Doctor Strange und Elektra endlich die Quelle von Kulan Gaths Macht entdecken. Zu diesen Vorbereitungen gehören der Kampf gegen einen Drachen und das Verprügeln von dämonisch besessenen Drogensüchtigen. Denn das tun sie natürlich.

Dieser Band beginnt mit zwei einmaligen Geschichten - die erste ist eine Rückblende zu Kulan Gaths neuem Ursprung (obwohl ich nicht weiß, ob sie im Widerspruch zu seinen früheren Ursprüngen steht, da ich mit der Figur nicht allzu vertraut bin), während die zweite eine Nebengeschichte ist, in der Conan ein Monster mit einer Beinprothese verprügelt. Diese Serie ist verrückt, und sie macht mir wirklich Spaß.

Der Hauptteil des Bandes besteht dann aus den verbleibenden vier Heften, in denen das Team in zwei Hälften geteilt wird, um den bereits erwähnten Drachen und die Drogensüchtigen zu jagen; jedes Team trägt etwas zum größeren Kampf gegen Kulan Gath bei, aber er fühlt sich in diesem Band sehr passiv an, da er nur für ein paar gruselige Monologe auftaucht, anstatt das Team direkt zu bekämpfen.

Das Artwork ist recht solide - Butch Guice zeichnet die Rückblende, Adam Gorham den Auftakt, und Patrick Zircher kehrt für die vier Hauptausgaben zurück. Ich bin froh, dass wir uns von Mike Deodato getrennt haben, und auch wenn das Buch künstlerisch nicht ganz konsistent ist, so ist es doch wahrscheinlich das beste, was wir bis jetzt erreicht haben.

Der Schwung von Savage Avengers wird durch einige Nebengeschichten ein wenig gebremst, die zwar unterhaltsam sind, aber wie ein Umweg von der treibenden Kraft des Buches wirken. Sie sind tangential miteinander verbunden, und die Dialoge zwischen den Charakteren (einschließlich einiger lustiger Gaststars) sind immer noch großartig, ebenso wie das Artwork, aber es gibt definitiv einen Hinweis darauf, dass sich die Räder drehen.

[Alex Sarll]

I wasn't altogether sure why I was sticking with this series, but this volume is really good fun, not least because it stops feeling like a Conan team-up book with a catchpenny misnomer (there's one issue where he's barely glimpsed in flashback), and starts feeling like a proper team, after a fashion, of characters who might not normally be associated but who share a similar elastic attitude to the heroic code. As such, even initially odd calls like Elektra and Strange hooking up make sense:
"I'm not usually contemplating murder the morning after the first date."
"Yes, well, I have that effect on women."
If I have a complaint, it's that Shuma-Gorath comes across as a bit of a knock-off Starro here, but set against that plenty of inventive brutality and an appearance for Bruges. Why has such a visually rich city not been seen much more often in comics?

[Matt]

Other reviewers have mentioned that previous volumes aren’t really Avengers books so much as Conan in the Marvel Universe books. It’s fair, and in fact if it weren’t for the MCU driving all characters and naming in the comics, this probably wouldn’t even have “Avengers” in the title.
Leaving aside the quibbling over the title, goddam this was a fun read. Find me another Marvel title where there’s cannibalism, coke laced with an Elder God, or one of the main characters waking up in a pile of hookers and beating a monster to death with an artificial leg?

I love this precisely because it could only exist as a comic. You’ll never see it get developed as a show or movie, so it gets to explore its weirdness and insanity in the pages of a comic. Which is what got me into comics in the first place, stories I couldn’t (or didn’t) see anywhere else.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez]

Puede que ya sea por habituarme simplemente. Pero este recopilatorio de Savage Avengers sí que me ha divertido sobremanera. Aunque sí que es cierto que me extraña el que quiera integrarse en la continuidad reciente Marvelita (menciones a Krakoa por parte de Magik o de la miniserie del propio Juggernaut o el saber que el próximo volumen será un cruce total con el evento King in Black), mirando muy mal ese encuentro amatorio entre Stephen Strange y Elektra que parece solo como "chek list" para una formación más "Salvaje" (como si Conan no cumpliese por él mismo la cuota). Con sus respectivos intereses amoroso bien presentes en sus respectivas cabeceras. O eso de ya tener constancia total de que la amenaza de Kulan Gath es ya poniendo en peligro todo el plano existencial. Pero bueno. A lo que respecta este recopilatorio, todo aún se mantiene en conflictos "asequibles" pero crudos que hacen engrosar las filas de estos Savage Avengers y dividirlos en equipos y misiones. Por supuesto, destacando la que implica ese Dragón Asgardiano para lo cual el binomio Magik-Juggernaut se muestra esencial (y parece que auspició su reciente relación en la nueva Patrulla X).

[Vaughn]

This series just gets better and better.

Dr. Strange and Elektra gather a team of badasses in Wolverine, Hellstrom, Elektra, Black Widow, Punisher, Dr. Voodoo, Magik, Juggernaut, Black Knight and of course Conan. The team splits in two: One team is tasked with stealing a magical amulet of power from a dragon while the other team is tasked with taking out Kulan Gath's henchmen. Kulan Gaths henchmen, by the way, are busy lacing cocaine with the essence of the Dark Elder God: Shuma Gorath, thus allowing the users of the cocaine to become posessed by the Elder God, allowing Kulan Gath to kill and eat them and therefore slowly consuming the Elder God and gaining it's power. An insanely awesome evil plan!

As always, there are lots of awesome moments. A personal favourite is Juggernaut charging into one of Magiks portals, emerging high up in the sky and falling at terminal velocity at the dragon. Another is Conan beating a demon to death with a prosthetic leg of a hooker he'd just been in bed with. Just good stuff!

[Trike]

And now we’re tangling with a dragon from Asgard on top of a time-traveling world-conquering god-slaying sorcerer, our time-displaced Conan the Barbarian teaming up with Magik and Wolverine from the X-Men, Dr. Strange, the Black Knight, Juggernaut, Punisher, Elektra, Black Widow and Daimon Hellstrom.

I don’t know if you could create a more diverse crew of ass-kickers. Maybe a robot. (If Ultron or Jocasta show up in the next volume, I won’t be a bit surprised. C’mon H.E.R.B.I.E.!)

The art this time around is fine but it’s not as brutal as in the previous two volumes. But we are treated to plenty of ultraviolence, as befits this savage group.

[Dusty]

The first volume that wasnt all Conan. Strange takes center stage as team leader exploring Gath's past and source of power. He also puts together hit squads to take down a dragon, Gath's goons and finds time to knock boots with a team member. Theres some downgrade in art, plot and dialog... hence my lower rating. Black Knight fights the KKK (typical lazy Marvel writing, surprised it wasnt Hitler again). Everytime they strike the dragon he replies "that hurts" (everytime, dumb). The dragon trades the Eye of Power for a place to nap (WTF?). Is the series losing its Magik? Nope, shes here too but only to teleport the team around. 4 stars but I'm worried for the series.

[Nicole Westen]

Good job with portraying the female characters in this volume, really liked that.
Only criticism is that apparently no one can keep track of which eye of Agamotto Dr. Strange has, the Dragon has, and which one is lost. If you compare the exposition in volume 2 to volume 3, you'll find that the numerical order is not consistent at all. In Vol. 2 Dr. Strange has the first eye of Agamotto, by the time we reach Vol.3, he actually has the third eye of Agamotto, which was supposedly lost to time in Vol. 2. It doesn't ruin the plot, but if you have OCD it will bug the ever-loving heck out of you.

[Andrew]

Look this series went downhill fast and hard, it was silly enough to begin with but this just ends up getting tied in to lame events, and LARGER storylines that are just meh.

So here's my review for 3 volumes in one because I can't be bothered to log the others.

3: Okay...just...okay
4: Conan reallly looks weird in normal clothes and the symbiote stuff is lame
5: Tons of cosmic stuff that is just very boring typical event comic

A disappointment after a very fun volume 2.

[Tom]

One the one hand, the Lovecraftian elements (introduced last volume, but expanded here) are a welcome addition, but the two story threads each featuring a large team of crossover characters start to make this volume feel a bit bloated. I can't help but feel that there would be ways of upping the stakes that would have felt more engaging.

[Frank Jarome]

Now we have a bit of a team going on. The fun factor is down a notch, as the main storyline is well underway now. This is definitely a series with a set ending, whenever that may be (I’m guessing around issue 25)