D’ORC #6 (IMAGE COMICS)

Finally, we get the true origin story for our loveable D’Orc! Maybe less of an origin and more of a conception story. Either way you know it’s bound to be a lot of fun. How will the truth about how he came about affect the mission at hand?

D’ORC #6 – Written & Art By Brett Bean – Colors By Jean-François Beaulieu - Letters By Nate Piekos - Published By Image Comics

Credit: Image Comics

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

D’Orc is trapped in the Bone Witches crystal and well inside the crystal he has a conversation with Fate. Fate tells him the story of the Orc & the Dwarf who were the last two left fighting in the Battle of Crown’s Peak which was the war that created the Scar. After weeks of fighting each other, they gave into their carnal urges. They had an incredible night of lust together that would result in the birth of D’Orc. After being disturbed by the story of his parents having sex, D’Orc has a decision to make. Let himself parish or help the Bone Witch in her mission. He chooses to help, but just as he becomes free her husband Gloinspear returns and he is angrier and stronger than ever. He wants to rid the realm of the abomination that is D’Orc. However, we will soon find out that this mission is way more personal for him than we could have guessed.

WRITING:

This issue continues the adventure, the fun, the absurd humor, and the big reveals that this series has become known for, but it does so by digging into one of the most important pieces of D’Orc’s story: where he truly came from. Brett Bean delivers D’Orc’s origin in a way that is both surprisingly meaningful and hilariously uncomfortable. Rather than treating the reveal like a standard fantasy backstory, Bean leans fully into the ridiculousness of the situation, giving readers an explanation that is packed with awkward details, wild emotion, and the kind of over-the-top humor that fits this book perfectly. Watching D’Orc react to Fate’s story about his parents adds an extra layer of comedy because he is forced to process not only who they were, but also the very uncomfortable circumstances of how he came into existence.

The backstory also works because it does more than simply reveal that D’Orc is the child of an Orc and a Dwarf. It shows the stakes of the world he was born from. His parents were not random warriors; they were the last two fighters standing at the Battle of Crown’s Peak, a conflict so brutal that it helped create the Scar. After weeks of trying to destroy each other, their sudden turn from violence to passion becomes ridiculous on the surface, but it also gives D’Orc’s existence a strange sense of importance. He comes from two powerful bloodlines and from a moment that broke through generations of hatred, which makes him feel less like an accident and more like a walking contradiction the world does not know how to accept.

Bean also keeps the issue moving by balancing exposition with character action. The Bone Witch continues to guide the group through this strange journey while still keeping the story playful and unpredictable. Even when the issue pauses to explain D’Orc’s past, it never feels like the momentum completely stops because the humor, reactions, and bizarre details keep the scene lively. Then, once Gloinspear returns, the tone shifts back toward danger and urgency. His arrival raises the stakes immediately, reminding readers that the silliness of this world does not erase the real threats surrounding D’Orc and the Bone Witch.

The strongest part of the writing comes from how the issue uses its final revelation to reframe Gloinspear’s hatred of D’Orc. What first appears to be another villain wanting to destroy someone he sees as an abomination becomes much more personal and complicated by the end. That twist gives the story a sharper emotional hook and adds a new wrinkle to the larger conflict going forward. It is the kind of reveal that catches readers off guard while still feeling completely in line with the chaotic, funny, and surprisingly clever storytelling that has made this series so entertaining.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this issue once again captures the nature of the story perfectly, giving the book the exact kind of wild energy it needs. Brett Bean brings this strange fantasy world to life with a style that is exaggerated, expressive, and constantly entertaining. His character designs lean into the absurdity of the series, making every creature, warrior, and magical figure feel like they belong in a world that is both dangerous and completely ridiculous. D’Orc in particular benefits from Bean’s cartoon approach because so much of the humor comes from his reactions. Whether he is horrified, confused, angry, or overwhelmed by the truth of his origin, his facial expressions and body language sell the joke just as much as the dialogue does.

That cartoon style continues to make the book feel like an unhinged Saturday morning cartoon, only one packed with adult humor, brutal violence, and jokes that go much further than anything that would ever make it onto children’s television. The contrast is a huge part of why the art works so well. The pages have a bright, animated quality that makes the world feel fun and inviting, but then the story throws in grotesque violence, crude humor, and chaotic fantasy action. Bean handles that balance extremely well, never letting the violence feel too heavy because the art keeps everything moving with a playful sense of motion and exaggeration.

Jean-François Beaulieu’s colors are also a major reason the artwork lands as well as it does. The color palette matches Bean’s aesthetic perfectly, giving the issue a vibrant, energetic look that enhances the cartoon feel without flattening the fantasy elements. The brighter colors help emphasize the comedy and absurdity, while the darker tones used around the Bone Witch, Gloinspear, and the more dangerous parts of the story keep the stakes from disappearing completely. That mix of playful color and fantasy danger gives the issue a visual personality that is instantly recognizable.

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF D’ORC #5

Final Thoughts:

D’ORC #6 continues the entertaining and fun nature of this series, well also revealing some very important things that will truly carry the next part of the story. Who would’ve thought an origin story could be so awkward and funny at the same time. This series always puts a smile on my face and keeps me thoroughly entertained. Not only has this series lived up to the hype, but it also finds ways to raise its own bar. If you are not reading this series, you are missing out on one of the most fun series on the shelves this year.

FINAL GRADE: 9.5/10

Let me know your thoughts on D’ORC #6 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!