Crusaders

The Crusaders (2021–2024) is a five-issue miniseries from Splitter Verlag, exploring the gritty reality behind the myth of the medieval Crusades. This German-published comic focuses on the brutal human cost and moral complexity of the holy wars, steering clear of romanticized heroics. The series is most associated with writer and artist Reinhard Kleist, whose stark, expressive artwork drives home the visceral, unglamorous nature of the era. It matters as a thoughtful, historically grounded take on a frequently sensationalized period, offering a somber counterpoint to traditional adventure narratives.