Aladdin #3 — When Abu’s Conscience Gets the Best of Him in Dynamite’s Agrabah

The monkey’s having a crisis. In Aladdin #3, Abu’s torn between his royal life and his street instincts. James III and Agnese Eterno bring heart and humor to the Genie universe.

There’s a particular kind of charm in taking a beloved side character and letting them have a voice that isn’t just monkey chatters. Dynamite’s Aladdin series has been doing just that, grounding the magic in very real, very relatable emotions. Right now, the spotlight is on the little guy — Abu — and frankly, I think you’re going to enjoy seeing him navigate this specific kind of trouble.

The setup is deceptively simple but wonderfully human. Abu has found comfort in the palace, enjoying the status of a primate of the court. But the pull of the streets is strong. The issue opens with Abu running away, caught in a tug-of-war between his new, cushier life and his old habits as a shoplifting simian. He’s wandering the streets of Agrabah, tempted by every pocket to pick and every clothesline to clean.

What makes this issue such a joy to read is how writer James III handles the internal monologue. It’s not just a guy getting into trouble; it’s a genuine crisis of conscience. He’s trying to do right by his friends, but his instincts keep pulling him back to the life he knew. It’s funny, sure, but it’s also got a layer of loyalty and belonging that hits harder than you might expect from a tale about a thief monkey.

Visually, Agnese Eterno’s art is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. The expressions on Abu’s face — the hesitation, the temptation, the guilt — are rendered with such care that you feel every bit of his struggle. The colors and linework give Agrabah a vibrant, lived-in feel, making Abu’s journey through the market stalls feel both dangerous and delightful.

If you’ve been following the series, this is a moment where the heart of the story beats loudest. It’s a reminder that these legends are built on small choices and loyalties. Grab this one if you love character-driven moments in big adventures. And keep an eye on the variant covers — Baldari’s work on this one is pure eye candy, so it might not stay on the shelf long.