PATHFINDER: WAKE THE DEAD #1, from Dynamite Comics on 5/31/23, brings the fellowship of fighters, mages, and minstrels together to recover a defector who may hold the key to stopping a bloody war.
The Details
- Written by: Fred Van Lente
- Art by: Eman Casallos
- Colors by: Jorge Sutil
- Letters by: Tom Napolitano
- Cover art by: Steve Ellis (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: May 31, 2023
Is It Good?
In the interests of full disclosure, I’m not an RPG tabletop gamer. I know of the Pathfinder series but have never played it and realistically won’t start anytime soon. So when I say I’m going into PATHFINDER: WAKE THE DEAD #1 cold, that’s as true a statement as it gets. So, how good (or not) is this comic? Better than I expected.
Fred Van Lente’s script does exactly what a tabletop adventure should do – set up the world, establish a believable plot device that forms the foundation of the adventure, and bring the eclectic group of adventurers together for a common cause. All the basics are executed masterfully, so you feel like you’re reading the beginning of an intriguing fantasy story, but the issue could work just as well as the beginning of a game. In other words, Van Lente has created an authentic adaptation that stands on its own.
The story centers on a bloody war between a nation of mages and a nation of the undead. The band of competing fighters comes together to find a defector with valuable intelligence that could tip the balance in the war, and each fighter wants the defector for their own purposes.
To Van Lente’s credit, he gives a sizable cast of characters as much time as possible to distinguish themselves, establish their motivations, learn a little bit about their fighting prowess, and give each some personality.
That’s a tall order for this many characters in a single issue, but Van Lente makes it work. In fairness, you may have to write down all the names, locations, clans, and relationships to keep it all straight (or read the issue more than once), but the issue flows smoothly. The story doesn’t feel rushed or overladen with exposition/narration. It’s a solid read, packed with naturally-delivered volumes of information.
We were surprised to see Eman Casallos’s name pop up on the credits. If you follow this site, you know Casallos is frequently tapped to deliver art for Zenescope’s titles, and this might be the first full title Casallos has done for Dynamite in recent history (barring a short in last year’s Savage Tales). Consequently, Casallos on this title is a win for Dynamite.
Casallos’s artwork is pristine, sharp, and detailed. The character designs look like they stepped straight out of Pathfinder Handbook, and Casallo’s super-clean style gives the magical action a stunning appearance.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a brief narration about the war between the nation of Battlemages (Nex), the nation of the Undead (Geb), and the ravaged city of Ecanus on Nex’s Southern border. Ecanus now carries the nickname “The Awful” due to the awfulness of the city’s disposition covered in viscera, entrails, and goo.
Five warriors of assorted classes converge in an abandoned building in Ecanus after their respective leaders/clans receive word that a defector (Gabsalia Venris) is determined to escape Geb. Soon, we meet Sajan the martial artist, and his partner Lem the Minstrel, followed by Quinn the thief, Harsk the axe-wielding dwarf, and Seelah the Paladin.
As the fighters wait to claim Gabsalia for themselves, a pair of Deathseekers from Nex’s battlemage leadership arrives to clear out the Outlanders and claim Gabsalia for themselves.
We conclude the issue with synchronicity, crumbling skin, and a fellowship surrounded.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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PATHFINDER: WAKE THE DEAD #1 gives you everything you expect and want in a comic adaptation of one of the world’s most well-regarded tabletop RPGs. Fred Van Lente puts all the players in place with an authentic and easy-to-follow setup, and Casallos’s art is pristine.
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