Dungeons & Dragons #1 (Dark Horse Comics, 11/4/26): Writers Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing and artists Ibraim Roberson & Arabson Oliveira assemble a team to restore the magic of an ancient wizard made mortal by a dragon god. Kelly and Lanzing’s first step into the D&D world sets up the players nicely, but the motivations leave something to be desired. Verdict: A decent but flawed start.
Credits:
- Writer: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing
- Artist: Ibraim Roberson, Arabson Oliveira
- Colorist: Dan Brown
- Letterer: Haley Rose-Lyon
- Cover Artist: Esad Ribic (cover A)
- Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
- Release Date: November 4, 2026
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 31
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of Dungeons & Dragons #1:
First Impressions:
I’ll be honest and say that my exposure to Dungeons & Dragons is through media and pop culture. I’ve never been a player, so my approach to this comic was fairly lacking in appreciation for how well (or not) the story adapts the game. Does it accurately represent the game? I don’t know. Is it a great comic? It’s okay, but not great.
Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):
The story begins with a very brief prologue that shows an ancient wizard named Mordenkainen being stripped of his powers through the burning power of a Dragon God. Why? Apparently, there’s some prophecy among dragons that Mordenkainen will be a factor in some future Apocalypse.
Unwilling to accept his fate, Mordenkainen seeks out the help of renowned bard, Volothamp Geddarm (Volo, for short) for answers about the prophecy and the wisdom of dragons. Volo has no answers to give, but he knows that there’s some stirring among the dragons about a Silver Dragon called Tagorax the Rusted, who might be willing to offer information. Their meeting is interrupted by a trio of ruffians who have a score to settle with Volo, so Mordenkainen whisks them away by calling on the help of a Gaery God named Tasha, a longtime acquaintance of Mordenkainen.
Later, Mordenkainen grudgingly humbles himself to ask for Tasha’s help, which she agrees to do by splitting off a piece of herself in the visage of her younger, witchier self. Assembled, the trio sets sail for the Moonshae Isles to find the Silver Dragon. When they arrive, they find a dark elf named Drizzt doing battle with creatures on the Isle’s shore. The three come ashore and attempt to forge a truce with Drizzt when Tagorak arrives.
The issue ends with Mordenkainen demanding answers from Tagorax, but the dragon doesn’t take kindly to being bossed around.
How is the story in Dungeons & Dragons #1?
As I said, I’ve never played D&D, so I couldn’t tell you how well or not the comic is adapting a potentially well-known campaign. It might. However, my focus is on whether or not it reads as an engaging comic. It does and does not.
The characters are interesting enough, and the setting works well for a stereotypical D&D world. What’s missing is the plot development and the character motivations. Kelly and Lanzing throw you into a scenario where an ancient wizard you know nothing about is stripped of his powers for reasons unknown. There’s mystery in that setup but not a reason to care.
Why should you care if Mordenkainen gets his magic back or not? What’s at stake if he succeeds or fails? We don’t know if he’s a villain, hero, or a bit of both. Without establishing Mordenkainen before he sets out on his journey, Lanzing and Kelly skip the one thing that you must not skip in the beginning of any story, ever: a reason to invest in the protagonist’s journey. “I had my magic taken away. I want it back.” just isn’t enough.
How is the art in Dungeons & Dragons #1?
The art is the saving grace of this issue. Ibraim Roberson, Arabson Oliveira, and Dan brown turn out a set of pages with plenty of visual flair, distinctive characters, magical beauty, and powerful beasts. If you could picture in your mind what a comic version of D&D should look like, this art team nails it.
Characters
The entire campaign/journey centers around Mordenkainen’s desire to get his magic back. To be fair about the lack of reason to care about the ancient wizard, bits and pieces pop up around his history, especially with Tash, that have the potential to be interesting. Beyond that, he’s a headstrong curmudgeon who doesn’t appear to be afraid of or intimidated by anyone or anything, including a giant dragon.
Originality & Concept Execution
D&D has been around for a long time, so the setting isn’t new. Where the originality comes in is in the characters and their quest. So yes, the idea of a wizard on a quest to get his magic back, even if it means fostering an Apocalypse foretold in a dragon prophecy, certainly sounds unique, even if the execution is lacking.
Pros and Cons
Art Samples:
The Scorecard:
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 2/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2
Final Thoughts:
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Dungeons & Dragons #1 assembles a party for a quest to restore an ancient wizard’s magic, but they’ll have to confront a dragon to do it. Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing bring together an eclectic cast of characters for an original campaign, but the issue lacks motivation and a reason to care. Thankfully, the art team delivers the goods.
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