Hello, hello, hello, and welcome to another review!

Okay, so some quick housekeeping:

First, I am done with taking notes for the sporking of City of Glass. Cue the music, pop the champagne, and light the fireworks!

On second thought, don’t do that last one. I have my reasons.

Anyway, yes, I’m finally finished reading the third and what should have been final book in the Mortal Instruments series. I honestly thought I’d have finished it weeks ago, but then, through a combination of dealing with other issues and general laziness, I somehow managed to drag out the process until almost the end of October. But in my defense, the book is just terrible. Especially the end; I got through every chapter of the book in one go, but it took me three sessions to get through the epilogue. It was just that frustrating and boring.

And because of how utterly exhausting that was, I’m taking November off. I’m going to be trying to do NaNoWriMo (I’m going to try using the Pomodoro Technique – look it up – to reach my word count), but hopefully I’ll be getting to the sporking some time in December.

But I don’t want to go completely radio-silent, so I’m going to crank out a couple of reviews to post throughout November. And I have a theme for them, too – all the works will have some connection to the world’s favorite role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons.

(Yes, I’m a huge nerd. I know.)

So, first up, we have the official (if not creatively named) IDW’s Dungeons & Dragons. And not just one volume, but the entire thing.

Blurb from Vol. 1: Shadowplague, courtesy of “Comixology:”: https://www.comixology.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Vol-1-Shadowplague/digital-comic/21166?ref=c2VyaWVzL3ZpZXcvZGVza3RvcC9ncmlkTGlzdC9Db2xsZWN0ZWRFZGl0aW9ucw

Collects DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 0-5!
Beginning a new era in Dungeons & Dragons history! The genre-defining roleplaying game gets its first ongoing series in years! Join writer John Rogers (Blue Beetle) and artist Andrea Di Vito (Annihilation) as they bring us a tale of high adventure and deep secrets. Adric Fell leads a band of heroes in a world where civilization has been reduced to a few scattered points of light amid a rising tide of shadows.

Not a lot of detail, I know, but it gives you the general set up.

So, some history: in 2008, Wizards of the Coast released the 4th edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Reactions were mixed, to put it lightly. There were a lot of changes between 3.5 and 4. Two new core races were added (Tiefling and Dragonborn), and one removed (Gnome). The class system was re-vamped, with four general categories of class (defender, controller, leader, and striker), with two new classes added to the core rules (warlord and warlock), and several removed (barbarian, bard, druid, sorcerer, and monk). The mechanics got a major overhaul, with every class being given certain powers or abilities that could be used one a day, once per encounter, or at-will. The core level cap was raised to 30, and instead of selecting a prestige class, characters to choose a “paragon path” at 11th level, and an “epic destiny” at 21st. Alignment was paired down from 9 to 5 (LG-G-N-E-CE), and the set up of the planes was also simplified.

Most of the flack, from what I’ve gathered, is that the system was too “game-y.” The powers/ability systems were too much like something out of an MMO, the class categories made people mad (even though it’s basically incorporating terms everyone already uses). There were probably also complaints about certain classes not being included in the core rulebooks, but I honestly don’t want to go delving into the sludge to find out.

But the big thing that I liked about 4th Edition was the default setting, the Points of Light, or as it later came to be known, Nentir Vale.

Reading the books (my first actual set of D&D books, which might partially explain my soft-spot for the system), I got the feeling that WotC really wanted to give the DMs a basic framework to build their own world in. There are a few details provided – the name of the now-fallen human empire, the existence of ancient warring Tiefling and Dragonborn empires, a pantheon consisting of gods from various settings, and a map of the Nentir Vale itself, but that was it.

I liked this, because every other setting for D&D was – and in my opinion, still are – too well-defined. There are maps of the Forgotten Realms, and Greyhawk, and Eberron, and every other published setting. Some of the published settings are older than I am, if they don’t date back to the origins of D&D. They’d been mapped, and charted, and explored in exhausting detail. If you’re playing in any of these settings and ask the DM, “what’s beyond the edge of the map?” instead of going, “I don’t know, let’s find out,” the DM can pick up a book and hand it to you, and you can find your answer there. There’s no real opportunity to improvise, no chance to create a world of their own.

But let’s get back to the comic.

Just as most of the big settings had books detailing their world, they also had works of fiction set within them, whether it be comic books, novels, or even video games. The IDW comic series was the only such work to take place in the Nentir Vale setting.

The series – naturally – focuses on a group of adventurers, Fell’s Five: Adric Fell, a human fighter; Varis, a wood elf ranger; Khal Khalundurrin, a dwarf paladin; Bree Three-Hands, a Halfling rouge; and Tisha Swornheart, a Tiefling warlock.

What I love about this series is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously; the characters will crack jokes. To quote the series’ “TVTropes page,”: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Comicbook/DungeonsAndDragons the series, “often reads as much like as a bunch of creative players playing their characters as it does an actual story.”

In short, it’s just a flat-out fun read.

Which is what makes the next part so depressing. The series ran for a total of 16 issues, ending its run very suddenly in February of 2012. You can tell the decision was sudden from a few facts. There are plot lines that are set up, but never developed. We get a brief flashback showing how three of the protagonists meet (and actually get to see how the party met Tisha), but nothing else. There are hints at characters’ back stories that are only ever just hints. Finally, the last issue ends with a teaser for the next adventure – if that doesn’t mean there were plans for more, I don’t know what is.

Still, I’m grateful that at least some of the story got to be told. And the entire series is available on Comixology, so you can pick it up for yourself.

Tagged as: , ,

Comment

  1. Juracan on 6 November 2017, 23:28 said:

    In short, it’s just a flat-out fun read.

    Well that’s good, because with final term papers and NaNoWriMo and applications, I could sure do with a fun fantasy comic book read. It’s sad to hear they’re discontinued, but alas, that’s a thing that happens to a lot of great serieses and it’s important to enjoy what has been released.

    I’ll try to pick these up some time soonish.

  2. Apep on 7 November 2017, 01:15 said:

    Well, the digital version of the trades are about $10 each, so you won’t be breaking the bank if you only get one.

    Reading the series again, the sudden end got me a little depressed. I kinda hope the writer made a lot of notes and outlines, and that he either still has them, or released them to the public once the series was cancelled.

  3. Write my Essays on 1 January 2018, 01:44 said:

    Appreciate your actually being considerably accommodating and also for choosing certain amazing areas most people are really desirous to be aware of. My honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to you earlier. Read more

  4. Custom assignment writing service on 14 March 2018, 09:15 said:

    You can be good or evil or neither. You can be loyal or in it for your self or decide in a situation appropriate manner. Although it provides a number of adventuring “classes,” which are a bit like occupations, the rules do not make these classes defiinitive. You can add, subtract or alter the classes as the person running the game sees fit.

  5. gclub app on 24 March 2018, 01:00 said:

    The movie is interesting to see. Each story is said to be the best.

  6. Harvard Case Analysis on 25 April 2018, 03:22 said:

    Thanx for sharing such useful post keep it up :)

  7. Content Creation Service on 25 April 2018, 03:24 said:

    Things are very open and intensely clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very beneficial.

  8. Online Economics Assignment Help on 25 April 2018, 03:25 said:

    I’m really impressed with your article, such great & usefull knowledge you mentioned here

  9. Do my Finance Assignment on 25 April 2018, 06:11 said:

    The leading assignment help UK firm offers state of the art services to its clients with a promise of delivering all the required work well within the deadline.

  10. Java Programming Assignment Help on 25 April 2018, 06:13 said:

    This is really great work. Thank you for sharing such a good and useful information here in the blog for students.

  11. Matlab Programming Help on 25 April 2018, 06:14 said:

    I am so happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs.

  12. Medical Science Assignment Help on 25 April 2018, 07:17 said:

    I loved the way you discuss the topic great work thanks for the share Your informative post.

  13. Mba Writing A Case Study Analysis on 25 April 2018, 07:18 said:

    Science Channel’s are giving a complete knowledge to its viewers about every thing students write done dissertation on this subjects and show its importance.

  14. the academic writers on 7 May 2018, 01:14 said:

    Great article. I totlly liked it. Your entire website is great. I am a finance brokers. We got folks awesome mortgages and other commercial finance.

  15. HBR Cases Solution on 22 May 2018, 05:41 said:

    Dissertation Guidance Provides Quality Online Dissertation Help For Students.

  16. Operations Management Coursework Writing Service on 26 June 2018, 05:10 said:

    John Arnold Is An Academic Writer Of The Dissertation-Guidance. Who Writes Quality Academic Papers For Students To Help Them In Accomplishing Their Goals.

  17. Do My Law Assignment For Me on 26 June 2018, 07:14 said:

    I Appreciate Your Efforts In Preparing This Post. I Really Like Your Blog Articles.

  18. Online MBA Thesis Writing Service on 11 July 2018, 07:37 said:

    Those who come to read your article will find lots of helpful and informative tips

  19. do my essay for me on 26 July 2018, 10:05 said:

    heard of dungeon and dragons for a while never payed attention to it just thought it was some nerd game. i bought my 1st role playing game today dragon age origons for xbox.

  20. seekclip on 30 April 2020, 11:17 said:

    seekclip is expert in creation of video animation, we are working from 2008. we create videos for all the medium and small bisisses. we work for the best quality videos.

  21. WeTheCoders on 22 December 2020, 09:50 said:

    Data Structure Assignment Help – wethecoders.com provides you the best services for <a href=“https://wethecoders.com/data-structure-assignment-help-data-structure-project-help-homework-help”>Data Structure Assignment Solution</a> and homework help to ensure your success.

  22. betty on 1 January 2021, 18:04 said:

    We help you to complete your Python coding. We provide best Python Simple Project Ideas in reasonable price, within your deadline.

  23. Huawei H13-811_V3.0 Exam Questions on 18 January 2022, 03:21 said:

    There is so much in this article that I would never have thought of on my own. Your content gives readers things to think about in an interesting way. Thank you for your clear information https://www.certensure.com/huawei-dumps/h13-811_v3-0-cert.html

  24. matlabhelpers on 8 February 2022, 04:23 said:

    Here I am sharing a wonderful platform for students in Australia , US and UK seeking for matlabhelpers.com This is matlabhelpers.com , world’s no1 matlab help company since 2014. They cover almost all wide range of matlab subjects, here you go:

    <a href=“https://matlabhelpers.com/matlab-assignment-help.php”>MATLAB ASSIGNMENT HELP</a>, <a href=“https://matlabhelpers.com/matlab-homework-help.php”>MATLAB HOMEWROK HELP</a>, <a href=“https://matlabhelpers.com/matlab-project-help.php”>MATLAB PROJECT HELP </a>, <a href=“https://matlabhelpers.com/simulation.php”>SIMULINK PROJECT HELP</a>, <a href=“https://matlabhelpers.com/matlab-dissertation-help.php”>MATLAB Dissertation Help </a>,
    <a href=“https://matlabhelpers.com/”>MatlabHelpers.</a>