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Jul 10, 2014 Image Comics By Zach Hollwedel

In Ancient Greece, the Helots are considered the lowest of the low-outclassed by slaves and reminded of their standing by the Spartans, who mercilessly cut them down to prove their own might. One night, a Spartan squad takes shelter in a Helot village. Insulted by their servile hosts, they proceed to slaughter as many as they can. During the carnage, one Helot—Klaros—fights back, setting off a chain of events that sends Sparta’s full might after him and the two other Helots that survived the bloodbath.

The notion of a Sparta-related last stand—and make no mistake about it, Three definitely features a last stand—will automatically conjure up thoughts of Frank Miller’s 300 for any comic reader, especially those interested in historical fiction. Unlike the wildly stylized 300, Three is grounded much more deeply in reality. There are no giants or mutants or hunchbacks. Sparta is depicted (not unlike Miller’s) as it was—brutal, bloody, and unforgiving. Characters die as quickly as they are introduced, on both sides of the conflict, emphasizing that nobody was safe then, regardless of allegiances. Swords could (and did) pierce any body.

Kieron Gillen and Ryan Kelly clearly delight in infusing their story with viciousness, but it never feels excessive or unrealistic. That era was a dangerous one, and the tale of the three rightly pays homage to it. Three moves quickly—it’s a self-contained five-issue story—and it’s a fun read. Gillen and Kelly make solid use of the sword and shield combat and gruffness of Sparta. The short series will fade from memory not long after reading, but not even the power of Sparta lasted forever. (www.imagecomics.com/comics/series/three)

Author rating: 6/10