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Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1 is a fun little fantasy anti-hero diversion to ponderous sagas and blockbusters

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Dungeons & Dragons - Total Party Killers #1

Not every fantasy story has to be an epic fantasy quest with complex world-building or a joke a minute comedic story with equally as complex world-building. Sometimes, a motley, morally dark grey crew of usually monstrous races banding together to procure or protect some powerful MacGuffin from a morally pitch black figure does the job just fine. And this second sentence is Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers in a nutshell. Christopher Hastings indulges in so many twists and identity reveals that I felt like I was reading an airport novel for nerds. However, Denis Medri and Dan Jackson deliver colorful character designs and blasts of energy that elevates the material. Jackson’s flat colors are especially a standout and help bring the chaos.

In keeping with the title, Total Party Killers #1 switches the dynamic of the characters at a drop of the hat so it’s hard to latch onto anyone initially until Hastings lets the last few pages breathe and unleashes a parade of horribles that made the Suicide Squad and Doom Patrol fan in me smile. I could really care less about the various objects and character races that flit acting as Easter Eggs for more knowledgeable fans, but a talking green cube of gelatin and a cute little baby multi-eyed monster have my attention along with our protagonist, a charming rogue with a secret named Tilli, who has sapphic Han Solo energy. Honestly, the contrast in charisma between them and the initial party made me giggle even if the bad guy is a little underwhelming. But, it will be nice to see the group out and about in future issues.

Medri’s art style is more Saturday morning cartoon than typical fantasy art and even more so than Hastings’ script gets the tone of Total Party Killers across. This isn’t a serious work of fantasy, but quirky co-workers who are stuck together thanks to one hell of a micromanaging boss and are banding together to be free and finally enjoy life and free will. Dan Jackson gives each member of the party a key color, which helps keep everyone straight in the beginning when there’s all kinds of long hair, flowing robes, and pointy ear action going on and then establishes their actual personality. The cube, eye tyrant, and mind flayer especially stand out, and Christopher Hasting and Denis Medri transform a character that was the biggest, baddest thing on the block in Stranger Things into an unexpectedly charming and clever amalgamation of people.

Dungeon and Dragons: Total Party Killer #1 takes a little bit of time to show the type of book it’s going to be moving forward, but ends up being a fun little fantasy anti-hero diversion to ponderous sagas and blockbusters. Hastings and Medri’s book is quirky in the best way once it abandons the lore dumps and constant twists and turns for party banter, some action set piece fireworks, and a straightforward goal. I definitely want to see Tilli screw some more people over and howl at the moon though and maybe reveal that all the in-game conflict is the result of some chaotic friend/DnD group drama.

Story: Christopher Hastings Art: Denis Medri 
Colors: Dan Jackson Letters: Lucas Gattoni
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1

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Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1

Writer: Christopher Hastings
Artist: Denis Medri
Colorist: Dan Jackson
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Cover artist: Elizabeth Beals

The wizard Custos has died, and his lair lies ripe for the taking! As adventurers raid the lair for treasure, the monsters enthralled by Custos in life must protect his domain even after his death. That is unless the creatures can trick someone into releasing them! Thus, a lycanthrope, gelatinous cube, mind flayer, death knight, and baby beholder form their own adventuring party to win their freedom in a hostile world!

Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1

ECCC 2026: A Monstrous Adventure Awaits in Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers

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Dark Horse Books and Wizards of the Coast present Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers, a new four-issue comic series gathering five iconic D&D monsters into their own adventuring party. The miniseries is written by Christopher Hastings, illustrated by Denis Medri, colored by Dan Jackson, and lettered by Lucas Gattoni. Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1 will feature cover art by Elizabeth Beals, Matías Bergara (1:20 incentive variant), Michael Walsh, and Lukas Ketner, as well as one blank character sheet cover.  

The wizard Custos has died, and his lair lies ripe for the taking! As adventurers raid the lair for treasure, the monsters enthralled by Custos in life must protect his domain even after his death. That is, unless the creatures can trick someone into releasing them! Thus, a lycanthrope, gelatinous cube, mind flayer, death knight, and baby beholder form their own adventuring party to win their freedom in a hostile world!

The monster party kicks off on July 22, 2026, when Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers #1 (of 4) arrives in comic shops.

Preview: Stranger Things: Tales from Hawkins 2 #3

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Stranger Things: Tales from Hawkins 2 #3

Writer: Derek Fridolfs
Artist: Mack Chater
Colorist: Dan Jackson
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Cover Artist: Diego Galindo

Killer KGB agent Grigori has been sent to Hawkins, Indiana on a top-secret mission. When he arrives, his brutal past puts him at odds with the sleepy little town. Learn how everyone’s favorite Soviet thug got from the mean streets of post-war Russia to the mild-mannered American Midwest!

Stranger Things: Tales from Hawkins 2 #3

General Grievous faces off against the Jedi in Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories – Grievous

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The Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories original graphic novel series from Dark Horse Books sets its sights on one of the most devious villains in a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories—Grievous. This tale is written by award-winning screenwriter and Star Wars author Michael Moreci with art by Caio Filipe, colors by Dan Jackson, and lettering by ComiCraft. Cover art is by the award-winning artist Michael Cho, who provides a cover showcasing the title character for each book in the series. This standalone story starring fan-favorite character General Grievous pulls readers of all ages straight into the action of the Clone Wars, as the sinister cyborg faces off against noble Jedi! 

Count Dooku has sent General Grievous to conquer the jungle planet of Katou. It’s an opportunity to prove Grievous’ worth to his Sith masters. The herders of Katou are no match for the mechanized monster. Still, when Jedi Knight Cardiff Baye and his clone troopers arrive, Grievous takes to the forest for a stealthier approach. 

Can the general’s brute strength defeat the heroes of the Republic, or will his beastly nature be his downfall? 

Be ready for adventure when Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories—Grievous arrives in bookstores on January 13, 2026 and comic shops on January 14, 2026, for $19.99. Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop.

Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories—Grievous

Dark Horse presents Stranger Things: Tales From Hawkins II

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In Hawkins, Indiana, nothing is as it seems. Dark Horse Comics and Netflix present new spooky tales featuring some of your favorite characters from Stranger Things in Stranger Things: Tales from Hawkins II! Each issue will be written by New York Times bestselling author Derek Fridolfs, colored by Dan Jackson, and lettered by Nate Piekos. Each issue will be illustrated by a different artist: Sunando C will illustrate issue #1, Bradley Clayton, will illustrate #2, Mack Chater will illustrate #3, and Vincenzo Riccardi will illustrate #4. Issue #1 will also feature cover art by Diego Galindo with variants by Vincenzo Riccardi, Mack Chater, and Ben Turner.

After shaking off a mysterious encounter with a strange “dog” while out at the Drive-In Cinema, Hawkins science teacher Scott Clarke is inspired to teach his students how 3D glasses work; this spirals into theories about alternate dimensions and how they might be perceived. Meanwhile, Dustin keeps secret that the weird “dog” could be nothing other than Dart, his missing pet demodog.

Future issues will also feature stories about Will Byers, Grigori, and the Demogorgon.

Stranger Things: Tales from Hawkins II #1 (of 4) arrives in comic shops on June 25, 2025. It is now available for preorder from your local comic shop for $4.99.

Free Comic Book Day 2025: Dark Horse features Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures and Avatar: The Last Airbender

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Dark Horse Comics has released more details about this coming year’s Free Comic Book Day Gold issue, featuring two new stories suitable for all ages and set in the worlds of Star Wars and Avatar: The Last Airbender, respectively. This issue will be available at participating comic shops on Free Comic Book Day, which takes place on May 2, 2025.

First up, prepare for a smelly swamp scavenger hunt in an all-new Star Wars tale!

In Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures—Scavenger Hunt, everyone’s favorite Jedi younglings, Kai, Lys, and Nubs, travel to a mysterious (and smelly) swamp, where Jedi Master Yoda has set up an elaborate scavenger hunt. As the younglings look for clues, they find an unexpected friend and learn an important lesson about what it means to be a Jedi.

This Star Wars short comic story is written by Dave Scheidt, with interior art and cover art by Andy Duggan, colors by Dan Jackson, and letters by Comicraft.

In a new short Avatar: The Last Airbender adventure, Ramen Rumble, Samurai Appa and Ronin Momo are back!

Samurai Appa and Ronin Momo roam the Four Nations, righting wrongs wherever they go. In Avatar: The Last Airbender — Ramen Rumble, the sky bison and winged lemur find themselves at a besieged Fire Nation noodle house where some of the clientele are tougher customers than the owner would like. Can the duo bring some order to chaos—and maybe earn themselves lunch in the process? Or will they be out on their tails?

TheAvatar: The Last Airbender comic short is written by Brandon Hoáng, with art by BellBessa, colors by C.E. Chant, and letters by Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt.

Dark Horse Comics | STAR WARS: YOUNG JEDI ADVENTURES/ AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

EC Comics’ Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 kicks off some classic horror

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Epitaphs From the Abyss #1

From the publisher that drove Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, and many more into the depraved hearts of an unsuspecting world, the immortal EC Comics returns! Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 kicks off the first ALL-NEW series in nearly 70 years! But, in this age of gore-porn and brutal, scary, horror, does the classic still deliver chills and thrills? It’s a whole new era of terror!

Featuring four tales to keep you up at night, Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 is a fun return to classic horror. It’s twists and turns that’ll get you to think more than make you afraid of unknown noises, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Kicking off with “Killer Spec” from J. Holtham, Jorge Fornes, and Dan Jackson, Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 is predictable at times, but still has more than enough to surprise readers. It’s pretty easy to see where the debut story goes but it’s the ending and twists and turns that entertain in an unexpected way. I have no fond memories of EC Comics and remember HBO’s Tales From the Crypt at times scaring the shit out of me as a kid, but I appreciated the “lessons” one would learn at the end. While The Twilight Zone delivered parables with a sci-fi twist, EC to me was the horror cousin of that. Here we get to see where jealousy takes a wannabe writer and makes readers wonder how meta this tale is…

“Senator, Senator” is perfect for this election year. Chris Condon, Peter Krause, and Michelle Madsen explore why an elected official flip-flops on a key issue. Again, like the opening story, it’s not hard to guess where the story is going but it’s the details that stand out. It delivers a nice jab at the current political climate.

“Family Values” by Stephanie Phillips, Phil Hester, Travis Hymel, and Marissa Louise feels like something we’d see in a modern day horror film. Hell, we might have. But, the ending is damn near perfect in multiple ways. A father must choose which family member to kill, or himself, while they’re taken hostage by unknown individuals. Why and for what purpose? You’ll need to read and find out!

Finally, “US vs. US” is another fantastic jab, pun intended, at the current state of the United States. Two individuals must take on a group of freaks and things aren’t what they appear. Brian Azzarello, Vlad Legostaev, and Brittany Peery deliver a story that is very unexpected in the direction it goes and what’s revealed.

Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 might feel tame compared to today’s horror, it’s much more comedic and less about scares, but it mines the classic concept of EC Comics perfectly delivering four tales that’ll entertain and get you to think. Each is varied in story, art, and tone, and each delivers unexpected moments that’ll keep readers guessing. It’s rare when there’s no weak stories in an anthology, and Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 has none. It’s a fantastic start to the classic brand that’ll hopefully breathe new life into this type of horror.

Story: J. Holtham, Chris Condon, Stephanie Phillips, Brian Azzarello
Art: Jorge Fornes, Peter Krause, Phil Hester, Vlad Legostaev
Ink: Travis Hymel Color: Dan Jackson, Michelle Madsen, Marissa Louise, Brittany Peer
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Power and Punishment in a Dune: House Corrino #3 preview

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Dune: House Corrino #3, the next issue of a brand new 33-page, oversized, eight-issue, comic book series expanding the rich mythology of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Renowned authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, acclaimed artist Simone Ragazzoni, colorist Dan Jackson, and letterer Ed Dukeshire, continue the third and final prequel to the widely celebrated Dune! Available in comic shops May 29, 2024.

The balance of power continues to shift surrounding what was once the most powerful house in the universe, including the Bene Gesserit plot concerning a fateful pregnancy, and the stage being set for further conflict on Ix. In addition to rising tension among the Fremen seeking justice and a harrowing assassination attempt against the imperial family, it will soon become clear that any threat to power does not go unpunished…

Dune: House Corrino #3 features main cover art by highly acclaimed artist Raymond Swanland and variant covers by artists Veronica Fish, Justine Florentino, and Jahnoy Lindsey.

Dune: House Corrino #3

Family Secrets and Assassination Attempts in Your First Look at Dune: House Corrino #2

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Dune: House Corrino #2, the next issue of a brand new 33-page, oversized, eight-issue, comic book series expanding the rich mythology of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Renowned authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, acclaimed artist Simone Ragazzoni, colorist Dan Jackson, and letterer Ed Dukeshire, continue the third and final prequel to the widely celebrated Dune! Available in comic shops on April 24, 2024.

As the political intrigue surrounding what was once the most powerful house in the universe, House Corrino deepens, new relations and family secrets are brought to light. The conflict between the Fremen and House Harkonnen takes a monumental new turn, and genocide is used to cover up an assassination attempt…

Dune: House Corrino #2 features main cover art by highly acclaimed artist Raymond Swanland and variant covers by artists Veronica Fish, Miguel Mercado, and Aaron Campbell.

Dune: House Corrino #2
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