A never-ending winter’s night is slowly driving an isolated town in the depths of Icewind Dale to the brink of insanity. To save them all, a perilous journey awaits a band of adventurers as they uncover the plot of an ancient primordial evil! Can these band of adventurers succeed in their journey?
The story starts off in the middle of an unexpected encounter. A snowstorm is raging. What was supposed to be a mining haul turned out to be far more than expected. Things are a bit strange, but that’s what keeps the world of Dungeons & Dragons interesting. In Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World #1, the audience is introduced to a brand-new group of heroes. They are about to embark on a journey to save a town on the brink of starvation. Little do they know, there are more underlying matters at hand. Regardless, these heroes must get to know each other.
In a turn of events, I enjoyed the introduction and interaction of each character throughout the first issue. I thought that this would be the kind of interaction I would expect from a random group of individuals that happened to find a common path. The idea that I love about this Dungeons & Dragons story so far (and I think readers will too) is that each character comes with their own unique voice and aura. Within these pages you will find that bonds are formed from accidents or just by saving another persons’ life from utter annihilation on a whim.
Additionally, I found that the writing of Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World #1 was very entertaining. Aimee Garcia and AJ Mendez, who both co-wrote the comic series Glow, reach a whole new audience of readers here, who I hope will find humor and a sense of adventure with these characters. The dialogue felt so natural in a world of unpredictability. The interactions were as if I was there myself experiencing their conversations. I wanted to know more about who these characters were through the way they spoke to one another. When I finally reached the end of the first issue, I wanted more. However, I guess that I will have to wait for the second issue to debut.
And let’s not forget the remainder of the creative team. For Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World #1, the artist, letter, and colorist all play an important role of their own in bringing this story to life. Martin Coccolo’s pencil work sets up the world readers are introduced to. Neil Uyetake does an awesome job at giving the characters their own flare of speech in their tone and inflections. It’s evident that Uyetake understood exactly where to place the speech bubbles, as well. Additionally, Katrina Mae Hao brings home the colorful and vibrant world of the comicbook. The reason I liked her coloristic touch is due to three reasons: the landscapes, the characters’ attire, and the pop she brings to the use of magic. Without this team, I can’t imagine the comicbook would grasp the same attention for me as it did.
If you’re looking for another adventure in the world of Dungeons & Dragons or if you’re just getting started, then look no further, because this comicbook right here is waiting for you.
Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World #1
Credits
- Writers: Aimee Garcia, AJ Mendez
- Artist: Martin Coccolo
- Colorist: Katrina Mae Hao
- Cover Artist: Max Davenport
- Letterer: Neil Uyetake
Credits (cont)
- Editors: Megan Brown, David Hedgecock
- Publisher: IDW Publishing
