Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Werewolf by Night #3

In the wake of the Blood Hunt, a dark cult intent on forging a new Darkhold has their sights set on the Marvel's Werewolf By Night . Hailing from a long lineage of werewolves that date back to Chthon’s first creation, Jack Russell carries a horrific curse that may spell apocalyptic doom for the world. However, Chthon’s followers have designed something newer, stronger, and more terrifying than Jack could ever be.

Werewolf by Night #3 - by Jason Loo and Sergio Dávila - continues Jack Russell’s path toward self-exile while the vile Chthonic cult known as the Darkholders persist in their efforts to forge a new Darkhold. Led by the master of the occult and criminal genius, The Hood, the Darkholders have locked their blackened sights on Jack.

The Werewolf by Night’s blood connection to Chthon’s original werewolves serves as a powerful sacrificial link necessary for a new Darkhold to be constructed. Rather than sending his forces to the slaughter, The Hood has a new monstrous plan to rival the Werewolf by Night.

The Darkholder’s Monstrous Creation Tears Its Way Through a Bloody Introduction

Werewolf by Night #3 - Written by Jason Loo; Penciling by Sergio Dávila; Ink by Aure Jumenez; Color by Alex Sinclair; Lettering by VC’s Joe Sabino

The last time the Darkholders faced off against the Werewolf by Night, they proved to be no match for his overwhelming strength alongside the aid of Moon Knight and Elsa Bloodstone. The eldritch cult successfully fled with a portion of Jack’s flesh, but not enough to pull enough energy from. The Hood chastises his lackluster cult, noting that they don’t need Jack Russell when they have the components to make their own. While Jack and Elsa struggle to defend themselves from the wild politics of the Savage Lands, a treacherous scheme develops within the Darkholders’ ranks.

As a small band of rebels marches their way up toward The Hood’s chambers, they are met by the occultish criminal mastermind and the Darkholders’ previous leader, Dorgana. Quietly seething about the insubordination that has festered in his ranks, The Hood reveals the cult’s newest weapon, a zombified, Frankenstein’s Monster-esque, monstrous perversion of the Werewolf by Night . Dubbing the damned creature the “Thrall Hound of Chthon,” The Hood and Dorgana release the beast upon their organization’s traitors, watching as it horrifically shreds their bodies to pieces and feasts on their insides.

The Hound Thrall of Chthon Debuts Just in Time for the Elder God’s Release

It’s Only Fitting That Chthon’s Herald Be a Monstrosity of His Own Design

The Hound Thrall of Chthon is the grotesquely perfect blend of nostalgic monster movies and blood-curdling body horror.

The Thrall Hound looks like an eldritch mix-match of classic movie monsters. Its feral nature is reigned in only by The Hood and Dorgana’s command. Its body swells to Hulk-like proportions, completely outclassing Jack Russel in his wolf form. However, this creature shouldn’t be a completely unique creation, considering it was partially cloned from a chunk of Jack Russell’s flesh. In one , the beast is seen wearing shredded pants and boots, suggesting that there may be a human host inside, bearing the weight of Chthon’s dark influence.

The Hood has proven time and time again that his immense occultist knowledge and serious drive to dominate has led to the creation of one of Marvel’s simplest yet terrifying concepts it's had in years. The Hound Thrall of Chthon is the grotesquely perfect blend of nostalgic monster movies and blood-curdling body horror. Somewhere else in the world, Chthon has recently been set free and now has a new herald, perfectly representative of his original creations. Surely in the coming months, the Werewolf by Night will have to test his strength against his Chthonic abomination of a clone.

Werewolf by Night #3 is available now from Marvel Comics.