In the first issue of the new Dungeons and Dragons ongoing series for Dark Horse, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Ibraim Roberson, Arabson Oliveira, and Dan Brown strike a balance similar to the role of their wizard protagonist Mordenkainen, who is basically the ultimate centrist of magic. (But in a more badass than spineless way.) They pepper this comic with dark prophecies, characters on serious missions, and of course, there’s a giant dragon on the first page. However, Dungeons and Dragons #1 has humor and sexual tension as well with Lanzing and Kelly writing fun banter between Mordenkainen and the grifter/bard/author Volo, who he runs into our favorite of first act settings: the local tavern. Dungeons and Dragons is full of deep lore, complex magic, gods, monsters, and more, but it has a wit and self-awareness that appeals to the more casual fans of franchise like yours truly.
In crafting these characters, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Roberson create a sort of axis of seriousness on a scale of apocalypse to sexual innuendo. If there’s a lot of exposition, they season it with a well-timed quip or some kind of background gag to keep the yawns away and keep the story engaging. Mordenkainen and Volo have a classic comedy team dynamic, and this is amplified when other party members start to show up as the comic progresses. Also, kudos to Dungeons and Dragons’ creative team for taking time to flesh out the key players in the story instead of bombarding readers with names, abilities, places, and other various and sundry things that would have me scrambling around on Wikia instead of engaging in the story at hand. Because the comic takes place in one of the most richly developed fantasy worlds, there is a buzz of activity, but Lanzing and Kelly take an iceberg theory meets Chris Claremont subplots eventually become the main plot approach in Dungeons and Dragons #1. I’ve only read the first issue so I’m not 100% sure on the second part, but let’s just say I’m hoping for an old school 50-60 issue run or beyond on this series.
Visually, Dungeons and Dragons #1 goes for high fantasy shock and awe with a varied approach to page design depending on the tone of each story beat. Cover artist Esad Ribic sets the tone with a harried band of adventurers versus big ass dragon cover bringing the epic scope of his work on titles like Thor, Secret Wars, and Eternals to the world of D&D. Ibraim Roberson, Oliveira, and Brown match his approach in the interior art. Dan Brown’s palette show off the range of this book from the crackling warmth of a tavern to magic energy out the wazoo in the action bits. They succeed at splash or widescreen compositions that are a worthy game store poster or more screwball comedy scene that endear readers to the cast of characters and enhance Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly’s dialogue. Even Arabson Oliveira’s inks contribute to characterization with some folks having more of an aura than others.
Dungeons and Dragons #1 is an accessible, action, and humor packed series debut that reminded me a lot of the Forgotten Realms novels that I read when I was younger. However, Lanzing, Kelly, Roberson, and Oliveira don’t shy away from darker elements and moral ambiguity. And did I mention the dragons? In all seriousness, if you enjoy being immersed in a compelling fantasy world with peril and danger, order this one from your local comic shop even if you’re constantly Googling what a kobold is and should probably bookmark their Wiki page.
Story: Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly
Pencils: Ibraim Roberson Inks: Arabson Oliveira
Colors: Dan Brown Letters: Haley Rose Lyon
Story: 8.6 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Third Eye Comics – Kindle
