Primal season 3 premiere revives Spear in bold, dialogue-free return

Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal season 3 opens with undead Spear, delivering brutal action & striking animation

Primal has returned for a third season with a dramatic and unexpected narrative turn, reintroducing its central character Spear despite his definitive death at the end of season two.The season premiere, titled “Vengeance of Death,” continues creator Genndy Tartakovsky’s reputation for visually ambitious, dialogue-free storytelling.

Originally debuting in 2019, Primal follows a prehistoric world shaped as much by myth and magic as by survival. The series has been widely regarded as one of Tartakovsky’s most accomplished works, building on techniques he developed in earlier projects such as Samurai Jack and Star Wars: Clone Wars. Season three functions as both a continuation and a partial reinvention of the series, following abandoned plans for an anthology-style format.

The premiere opens after the destruction of a village, where a lone elderly survivor uses dark magic to resurrect Spear. The character returns not as the heroic Neanderthal viewers previously knew, but as a mindless, undead version of himself. Controlled initially by the old man, zombie Spear becomes an instrument of revenge, displaying heightened physical resilience and brutal strength.

Tune into Adult Swim on Sunday, January 18th at 11:30 PM to catch the next brand new episode of Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal Season 3, "Kingdom of Sorrow"! pic.twitter.com/1KvKlSnTIX

— Swimpedia (@swimpedia) January 12, 2026

Collura notes that the episode’s action sequences remain consistent with Primal’s signature style, relying entirely on visual storytelling, sound design, and atmosphere. One extended combat scene sees Spear silently emerge from the jungle to massacre his enemies, framed by heavy shadows, fog, and ominous lighting. Despite the violence, moments of dark humor are also present, including a sequence where Spear loses part of his skull yet remains unfazed.

After the death of the man who resurrected him, Spear is left without direction or control. The episode lingers on this moment, showing time passing as the undead character simply stands motionless. Eventually, he rises and begins to walk, suggesting a larger journey to come. Brief flashes of his past hint that some remnants of his former self may still exist.

The review highlights how Tartakovsky and his animation team emphasize Spear’s undead state through detailed sound effects and visual cues, including heavy body movement, buzzing insects, and decaying physical features. Season three also marks a return to a completely dialogue-free format after limited spoken lines were introduced in season two.

While Collura acknowledges that reviving Spear after what appeared to be a perfect ending is a risky creative choice, he suggests the premiere successfully establishes intrigue and emotional weight. The broader mythology of Primal, which blends fantasy elements with anachronistic history, leaves open the possibility that Spear’s journey could eventually lead to restoration or reunion with surviving characters such as Fang and his daughter.

In his verdict, Collura writes that Primal season three continues to push the boundaries of televised 2D animation, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship, brutal action, and ambitious world-building without relying on dialogue. The season premiere sets up an overarching story that expands the series’ scope while remaining rooted in its distinctive visual language.

Primal season three premiered on Adult Swim on January 11 and is available on HBO Max beginning January 12.