Solomon Kane (2008) 1-B

"The Castle of the Devil, Part One of Five"

Solomon Kane is attacked by highwaymen in the Black Forest during the night. As he dispatches his attackers, Kane's horse is killed by a large wolf, forcing him to continue his journey on foot.

Along the way, he encounters a traveler named John Silent, a fellow Englishman on the road to Italy. As the two travel the road together, Kane reveals that he had earlier found and rescued a young boy from a hangman's noose - on the gallows of the Baron Von Staler, Lord of these lands and the 'Castle of the Devil'. Though John anticipates trouble for both of them, he agrees to accompany Solomon "to see this Lord who hangs children."

At the castle, Solomon and John are welcomed as guests at dinner by the Baron von Staler and his Muslim wife, Mahasti. During the conversation, Solomon reveals his earlier encounter and release of the young boy in an effort to determine the Baron's role in the hanging, a role quickly denied by the Baron and his wife, who proclaim that they will find the one's responsible. During the discussion the dark origin of the Castle is revealed as well as the reason for the superstitions and stories of the locals. The parties retire for the evening, the Baron declares - to his thoughts for his people preyed upon by foul criminals, and Solomon, to the Baron's chapel...

*NOTE Cover combines with Conan the Cimmerian #1 and Kull (Dark Horse) #1 to create a triptych.