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Dungeons & Dragons (IDW Publishing) | HearLore
Common questions
When did IDW Publishing release the first issue of Dungeons & Dragons: Fell's Five?
IDW Publishing released issue zero of Dungeons & Dragons: Fell's Five on the 2nd of August 2010. The first issue of the series followed in November 2010 and was written by John Rogers with illustrations by Andrea Di Vito.
Who wrote and illustrated the Legends of Baldur's Gate series released by IDW?
Jim Zub wrote the five-issue limited series Legends of Baldur's Gate which launched on the 1st of October 2014. Max Dunbar and Sarah Stone provided the illustrations for this series set in the Forgotten Realms setting.
When was the Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons crossover comic published?
IDW Publishing and Oni Press released the four-issue Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons crossover on the 1st of August 2018. A sequel titled Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons Chapter II: Painscape followed in September 2019.
Who created the Forgotten Realms ongoing series released by IDW in 2012?
Ed Greenwood wrote the five-issue Forgotten Realms ongoing series that released on the 1st of May 2012. Lee Ferguson and Sal Buscema illustrated the series which introduced original characters to the Forgotten Realms setting.
When did IDW Publishing end their run of Dungeons & Dragons comics?
IDW Publishing ended their run of Dungeons & Dragons comics on the 1st of July 2024. Wizards of the Coast announced that Dark Horse Comics would take over the license in 2025 after a decade of successful comics.
The 2nd of August 2010 marked the beginning of a new era for tabletop fantasy when IDW Publishing released issue zero of Dungeons & Dragons: Fell's Five, a comic that would redefine how the world's most famous role-playing game looked on the page. Before this date, D&D comics were often seen as mere promotional tie-ins or reprints of older DC Comics stories, but this new series promised something different. Written by John Rogers and illustrated by Andrea Di Vito, the series introduced a group of adventurers who were not just generic heroes but flawed, dysfunctional individuals who felt like real people trapped in a rigid system of rules. The story began with a party of five strangers who had no idea they were about to become the focus of a long-running saga that would span over a decade. The first issue, released in November 2010, set the tone for a narrative that balanced the mechanical constraints of the game with the emotional depth of character-driven storytelling. This was not just a comic about rolling dice; it was a comic about the people rolling them, and the chaos that ensued when their carefully planned strategies fell apart in the most spectacular ways.
Legends of Baldur's Gate
The 1st of October 2014 saw the launch of Legends of Baldur's Gate, a five-issue limited series that would become the cornerstone of IDW's D&D universe. Written by Jim Zub and illustrated by Max Dunbar and Sarah Stone, this series shifted the focus from the original party of Fell's Five to a new group of heroes in the Forgotten Realms setting. The story was set in the bustling city of Baldur's Gate, a place known for its political intrigue and dangerous underworld. The series introduced a cast of characters who would go on to appear in multiple sequels, including the rogue, the wizard, and the paladin, each with their own secrets and motivations. The narrative was tightly woven with the lore of the Forgotten Realms, drawing on the legendary campaign setting's history while adapting it for the 5th Edition ruleset. The series was so well-received that it spawned five sequel limited series, each exploring different aspects of the world and the characters' fates. The first sequel, Shadows of the Vampire, introduced the infamous Strahd von Zarovich, a vampire lord from the realm of Ravenloft, as the main villain. The second, Frost Giant's Fury, took the party to the frozen north, while the third, Evil at Baldur's Gate, brought them back to the city for a final confrontation. The series concluded with Infernal Tides, which set the stage for the final chapter, Mindbreaker, a prelude to the video game Baldur's Gate III. The entire run of the Baldur's Gate series was a testament to the power of long-form storytelling in the comic medium, creating a cohesive narrative that felt like a single, epic campaign.
The 1st of August 2018 marked a surprising turn in the D&D comic universe when IDW Publishing and Oni Press released Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons, a four-issue crossover that brought together two of the most beloved franchises of the 21st century. Co-written by Jim Zub and Patrick Rothfuss, the series featured the interdimensional travelers Rick and Morty as they stumbled into a D&D campaign, causing chaos and confusion in the process. The comic was a hit with fans, blending the absurdity of Rick and Morty with the structured fantasy of D&D. The series was so successful that it spawned a sequel, Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons Chapter II: Painscape, which was published in September 2019. The crossover was not limited to Rick and Morty; in November 2020, IDW and Dark Horse Comics released Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, a five-issue series that brought the characters from the hit Netflix show into the D&D world. Co-written by Jim Zub and Jody Houser, the series explored the connection between the Upside Down and the D&D multiverse, featuring characters like Eleven and Mike as they navigated a world of monsters and magic. These crossovers demonstrated the versatility of the D&D license, showing that the game's world could accommodate a wide range of genres and styles. The success of these crossovers also highlighted the importance of creative collaboration, as writers and artists from different franchises worked together to create something new and exciting.
The Forgotten Realms Expands
The 1st of May 2012 saw the release of the Forgotten Realms ongoing series, a five-issue run that introduced original characters to the beloved Forgotten Realms setting. Written by Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Forgotten Realms, the series was a rare opportunity for fans to see the world through the eyes of its creator. The story followed a group of adventurers who were not part of the established D&D canon, allowing for new stories to be told without the constraints of existing lore. The series was illustrated by Lee Ferguson and Sal Buscema, and it was well-received for its attention to detail and its faithful representation of the Forgotten Realms. The series was followed by Forgotten Realms: Cutter, a five-issue mini-series that focused on a character named Cutter, who was introduced in the original series. The story was written by R. A. Salvatore and Geno Salvatore, and it explored the character's past and his relationship with the world. The series was also followed by A Darkened Wish, a five-issue mini-series set in the Sea of Swords, which was written by B. Dave Walters and illustrated by Tess Fowler. The story was so popular that it inspired an official actual play web series, which ran for 30 episodes and ended in 2021. The Forgotten Realms series demonstrated the depth and richness of the setting, showing that there was always room for new stories and new characters. The series also highlighted the importance of collaboration between writers and artists, as they worked together to create a cohesive and engaging narrative.
The Dark Side of D&D
The 1st of June 2022 marked the beginning of Ravenloft: Orphan of Agony Isle, a four-issue limited series that explored the dark and gothic horror elements of the D&D universe. Written by Casey Gilly and illustrated by Bayleigh Underwood, the series focused on the mad scientist Viktra Mordenheim, the Darklord of Ravenloft's Lamordia domain, and Miranda, a woman without memory who was resurrected by Mordenheim. The story was set in the realm of Ravenloft, a plane of existence that was home to some of the most terrifying monsters in the D&D universe. The series was a departure from the more traditional fantasy stories that had come before, exploring themes of madness, loss, and redemption. The series was well-received for its unique take on the D&D universe, showing that the game could handle a wide range of genres and tones. The series was also followed by At the Spine of the World, a four-issue mini-series that was set in the Icewind Dale region of Faerûn. The story was written by AJ Mendez and Aimee Garcia, and it was illustrated by Martin Coccolo and colors by Katrina Mae Hao. The series was released in November 2020, and it was a prelude to the adventure module Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. The series explored the harsh and unforgiving nature of the Icewind Dale region, showing the struggles of the characters as they tried to survive in a world that was constantly trying to kill them. The series was a testament to the versatility of the D&D universe, showing that it could handle a wide range of stories and themes.
The Film and the Future
The 7th of March 2023 saw the release of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, The Feast of the Moon, a 96-page graphic novel that served as a prequel to the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Written by Jeremy Lambert and Ellen Boener, and illustrated by Eduardo Ferigato and Guillermo Sanna, the series focused on Edgin, the bard played by Chris Pine in the film, and his band of thieves as they ended up in conflict with both the Bandit King and a local town's inhabitants. The series also included a back-up story focused on Xenk, the paladin played by Regé-Jean Page, and the Helmet of Disjunction. The series was released before the film, which came out on the 31st of March 2023, and it was well-received for its faithful adaptation of the film's characters and story. The series was a testament to the power of the D&D license, showing that it could be adapted into a wide range of media, from comics to films. The series also highlighted the importance of collaboration between writers and artists, as they worked together to create a cohesive and engaging narrative. The series was followed by Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures, a four-issue limited series that was based on the 1983-85 Dungeons & Dragons animated TV series. The series was written by David M. Booher and Sam Maggs, and it was illustrated by George Kambadais. The series was a nostalgic look back at the early days of D&D, showing how the game had evolved over the years. The series was also followed by Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures II, a sequel four-issue limited series that continued the adventures of the original series. The series was released in January 2024, and it was a testament to the enduring popularity of the D&D franchise. The series also highlighted the importance of creativity and innovation, as writers and artists worked together to create something new and exciting.
The End of an Era
The 1st of July 2024 marked the end of an era for IDW Publishing's Dungeons & Dragons comics, as Wizards of the Coast announced that Dark Horse Comics would take over the license in 2025. The announcement came after a decade of successful comics, including two ongoing series, fifteen limited series, three crossover series, two annuals, and a graphic novel. The series had been a testament to the power of the D&D license, showing that it could be adapted into a wide range of media, from comics to films. The series had also highlighted the importance of collaboration between writers and artists, as they worked together to create a cohesive and engaging narrative. The series had also shown the versatility of the D&D universe, demonstrating that it could handle a wide range of genres and tones. The series had also been a testament to the enduring popularity of the D&D franchise, showing that it could continue to evolve and grow over the years. The announcement of the new license was a bittersweet moment for fans, as it marked the end of a long and successful run of comics. However, it also signaled the beginning of a new chapter in the D&D universe, as Dark Horse Comics took over the license and began to explore new stories and new characters. The series had been a testament to the power of the D&D license, and it would continue to be a source of inspiration for future generations of fans.