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• Price: $3.99
• Rating: 8+
• Pages: 32
• On Sale: April 25, 2018
• Writer: Jim Zub
  
• Artist: Dean Kotz
  
• Color: Stefani Rennee
• Letterer: Neil Uyetake
• Editor: David Hedgecock
• Publisher: IDW

From the publisher – Minsc the Mighty—Evil Beware! The Baldur’s Gate heroes return to the city at last, but their time adventuring in Ravenloft and the frozen northern reaches of the Realms has changed them. Each of them must face great trials ahead before they’ll be ready to embrace their destiny. A new hero of the people roams the streets of Baldur’s Gate, and Minsc feels left behind despite his own legend. Can he reclaim his place as the city’s Beloved Ranger? Whatever happens, evil is going to get its butt kicked most thoroughly!

Our We Talk Comics WeView – Ah, a Zub book is just what I needed.

I always look forward to reading a book by Jim Zub (Zubkavich). He just gets it. The man is professional, hard working and has a positive attitude. It’s no wonder he’s worked for so many publishers… Who wouldn’t want to work with a guy like that? And we sure have enjoyed his guest spots on our podcast!

Jim Zub just excels at making books fun, and this story is no exception. I’m not familiar with the characters, but the idea of the series is pretty simple. A group of D&D adventurers originally from Baldur’s Gate return to the city and then split up to take care of their own business. Each issue in the series will focus on the activities of what the different party members are up to on that night.

Issue #1 of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: EVIL AT BALDUR’S GATE is focused on the ranger of the group, Minsc the Mighty. I have a feeling he’s going to be my favorite person on the team, his personality reminds me a little of Sergio Aragonés‘s Groo the Wanderer, and I do love me some Groo. Plus he has a pet named Boo, the miniature-giant space attack hamster, which automatically puts him in the running for best character in the history of fiction.

Comics like D&D tend to have dialogue that’s a mix of old time English and modern slang. Sometimes that can be awkward, but Jim Zub makes it all work. It also fits in very well with Dean Kotz’s art. Add in the colors of Stefani Rennee and the comic has the look of a really high end, high class Saturday morning cartoon, and I definitely mean that as a compliment. It certainly works with what they’re going for on the book.

Neil Uyetake is the owner/art director of Think ID Studios, as well as the Senior Art Director at IDW Publishing. I don’t know where he found the time to letter this book, but I’m sure glad he did, because Uyetake does a fantastic job. Because of the fantasy elements there’s a real chance to play around a lot with the characters and add something with the lettering, and Neil Uyetake sure takes advantage. So let’s give some credit to editor David Hedgecock for the overall cohesion on the book. I guess that’s why he’s also IDW’s Associate Publisher.

This is a really solid offering. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: EVIL AT BALDUR’S GATE #1 is sure to please fans but also is a fun read for anyone who’d just like a light, enjoyable comic book. Plus it has Boo, the miniature-giant space hamster, and you’re damn straight it gets a little extra added to its overall score for that.

Recommended For Fans of: Dungeons & Dragons: Legends of Baldur’s Gate, Wayward, Groo the Wanderer, Skullkickers, Pathfinder.

Rating – 8/10 Very Fine (VF)

Review by Mo

Love the review? Hate the review? Disagree with me? I’m happy to talk comics on twitter @Mo_WeTalk

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