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
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