Berserk, Volume 3

Berserk really starts to hit its stride in this third volume. We finally confirm that the story being told so far is actually somewhere in the middle - or near the end - of the plot, and we get some nice scenes showing Guts' origin story.

This volume feels like the true beginning of the series and tells a more coherent story than the previous volumes which, while very cool, didn't exactly make a ton of sense in terms of plot. There's much more story here and a bit less violence, and we're starting to get some real worldbuilding and a sense of Guts' motivations.

This volume concludes the Count story-arc. As they say no good goes unpunished and in this we can see why Guts shuns others and tries to distance himself from them. Guts proves that he is not made of stone and we get to see his human side.
We get glimpse of the mysterious Godhand daemons ruling in Hell (as I said this reads like Warhammer universe) and we witness the strength and determination of Guts when confronted by one of the Godhand daemons - one named Griffith with whom he shares history (those that watched the anime version will know what that is, but for manga readers it is still early).

And here we have start of story arc about Guts himself, born in a most grisly manner on the battlefield (and in this Guts' origins resemble show more Conan's).

Art is excellent like in previous two volumes.

Recommended to all fans of revenge stories and fantasy horror. show less

This the 3rd volume in the Berserk series and wraps up the storyline started in the 1st and 2nd books. It is very well done and, as with the other volumes, full of incredible action and violence.

In this book Guts finally defeats the monstrous Count only to have the Count activate the Behelit and send them all (the Count, his daughter, and Guts) to a different realm where the five God Hands rule over a hell like world.

Here we find out that Guts has some sort of history with the God Hands and is desperate to take them down. Additionally the Count finds out that his pleas won’t be answered exactly in the way he hoped (the God Hands are demons after all).

As with previous volumes the illustration is well done, detailed, and easy to show more follow. There are a ton of action scenes which are also incredibly well done. This volume continues to be full of a lot of gore and violence, so a caution to those who don’t like that. Of course if you are ready to read the third volume in the series I would imagine you are fine with all that.

Overall an incredibly well done continuation of the Berserk series. I loved meeting the God Hands and learning more about Guts history with them (of course if you have watched the manga you know a lot already about Guts’ history with the God Hands already). Guts continues to impress with his determination, durability, huge sword and straight-out..well...gutsiness. show less

Good conclusion to the Guardians of Desire arc, and an interesting start to the Golden Age arc.

Okay I get it now. Dark, gritty, and clearly there is an overarching plot to engage me. Just started getting exciting.