In The Hunger and the Dusk #1 by IDW Publishing, humans and orcs must unite against a formidable foe. Join Callum Battlechild and Tara in their fight for survival!
THE HUNGER AND THE DUSK #1
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Chris Wildgoose
Colorist: Msassyk
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Editor: Maggie Howell
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 12th, 2023
Previously in The Hunger and the Dusk: Hugo and World Fantasy-winning writer G. Willow Wilson and all-star artist Chris Wildgoose come together for a new ongoing high fantasy series. Only humans and orcs remain in a dying world, but the Vangol threatens the two struggling civilizations.
The Hunger and the Dusk #1 begins with a dark and menacing prologue. A group of orcs prepares to attack a farm out of a desperate need for food. Before the orcs and farmers can fight, both sides are murdered by the Vangol, leaving a child alive as a witness. Six months later, we meet Callum Battlechild, leader of a small mercenary troop called the Free Men. He has gained orc Overlord Troth’s respect, admiring Callum’s ability to fight and save his men. Regardless of how both sides feel, the orcs and humans must work together. Overlord Troth assigns his cousin Tara as a diplomat under Callum’s protection as they attempt this uneasy alliance.
During the initial meeting, they are attacked by the Vangol. Callum protects Tara and takes a deadly wound. Tara, an expert in healing, quickly cures his wounds, creating an easy friendship between them as she is introduced to his mercenary group.
The Hunger and the Dusk #1 was a last-minute pick-up, and I had no expectations when I started reading. However, I found myself immediately engaged with the premise. The idea of humans versus orcs has been a compelling concept for decades, and it’s rare to come across new interpretations of this idea. The shock value of those opening pages effectively sets the stakes before the story delves into the familiar tropes, and both Callum and Tara promise to bring depth to the setting. Additionally, both sides are portrayed as generally good people, making it easy to root for the protagonists.
The solid art adds to the fantasy aesthetic, with an almost cartoon-like feel that enhances the overall experience. Kudos to the artist!
I am pleasantly surprised by The Hunger and the Dusk #1. While I usually try to pick up any fantasy title, I was initially unsure about this one. However, as I read through the issue, it became evident that it is a well-written and thought-out comic. Considering that, I rate this issue 4.5 out of 5 stars, and it promises to be one of the better titles of 2023.
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The Hunger and the Dusk #1
The Hunger and the Dusk #1 is a strong pick for fans of the high fantasy genre, as it skillfully explores and revitalizes old fantasy tropes, promising an engaging and exciting read.
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Christopher Rondeau is a storyteller based in Tulsa, OK. Finding himself with little work, he ended up creating a job as a Game Master full time on the internet. Chris spends most of his days reading everything he can, writing bad fiction, and watching old Digimon cartoons with his daughter. Sometimes you can find him Dungeon Mastering a podcast or streaming on twitch. Recently, he has completed his Master's degree with a focus on collaborative storytelling. Find out more at https://rondeaucreator.com