Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1 (dark horse comics)
Dungeons & Dragons may not be the oldest franchise around, but its possibilities continue to be limitless. From big-budget blockbusters, to demogorgons on Netflix, friends gathering around a table to play through the latest campaign born from someone’s imagination, stories told through full-length novels, and of course comics, the world of Dungeons & Dragons continues to evolve. Christopher Hastings teams up with Dark Horse to release the latest adventure:
Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1 (Christopher Hastings, Denis Medri, Dan Jackson & Lucas Gattoni - Dark Horse Comics)
Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1 (Christopher Hastings, Denis Medri, Dan Jackson & Lucas Gattoni - Dark Horse Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Within the first few pages, you’re already itching to read ahead and see how things play out. It’s easy to feel the tension between the party members and sense that things may not be exactly as they seem. Like any great D&D campaign, there’s always a twist waiting around the corner.
Christopher’s story does a great job setting the table for an exciting adventure. The pacing moves quickly without feeling rushed, giving each character enough room to establish their personality while hinting that everyone may have their own agenda. If you’re into stories where a group of unlikely allies comes together for a heist that maybe goes a bit awry, this is absolutely a story for you.
The team-up of Denis Medri and Dan Jackson is an excellent choice. Denis’ artwork does a fantastic job carrying the story from page to page, while Dan’s color palette brings every scene to life. When most people think of Dungeons & Dragons, darker, grittier fantasy often comes to mind, but Dan strikes a nice balance by keeping the world colorful and vibrant without sacrificing the atmosphere. The result is a book that’s just as fun to look at as it is to read.
FINAL GRADE: 8
Dungeons & Dragons stories typically revolve around a ragtag team of misfits coming together to save the day in one way or another. While that’s certainly not a new concept, it’s a formula that continues to work when it’s backed by memorable characters and a compelling adventure. Pair that with strong artwork and vibrant colors, and you have the makings of a genuinely entertaining first issue. By the time I turned the final page, I was already looking forward to seeing where this party’s adventure goes next.
Gather your party and roll for initiative! Let me know your thoughts on Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!