Normally, as this is a graphic novel/comic book, I would put it as a listing in the Comic Book Chronicles, but I have things I want to say about this one. THINGS.
An amazon summary, "Welcome to the Adventure Zone!
SEE! The illustrated exploits of three lovable dummies set loose in a classic fantasy adventure!
READ! Their journey from small-time bodyguards to world-class artifact hunters!
MARVEL! At the sheer metafictional chutzpah of a graphic novel based on a story created in a podcast where three dudes and their dad play a tabletop role playing game in real time!
Join Taako the elf wizard, Merle the dwarf cleric, and Magnus the human warrior for an adventure they are poorly equipped to handle AT BEST, guided ("guided") by their snarky DM, in a graphic novel that, like the smash-hit podcast it's based on, will tickle your funny bone, tug your heartstrings, and probably pants you if you give it half a chance.
With endearingly off-kilter storytelling from master goofballs Clint McElroy and the McElroy brothers, and vivid, adorable art by Carey Pietsch, The Adventure Zone: Here There be Gerblins is the comics equivalent of role-playing in your friend's basement at 2am, eating Cheetos and laughing your ass off as she rolls critical failure after critical failure." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE
A brief note on my background, I was a part of an after school club in high school that played Dungeons and Dragons. It was really fun and I loved every gaming session. I have since dabbled in the game on and off since then over the years, but never had a solid campaign.
Which brings me to my next point. If you've never played Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) or any other kind of role playing game, I highly doubt you're going to understand the jokes, mechanics, or even story of this book. It's all heavily intertwined with D&D.
Within the first few pages, the characters have spoken to their dungeon master, and are declaring different abilities or spells they're using. Which, makes sense, if you've played D&D. If you haven't played D&D, I have high concerns that the nuances of how the characters are behaving/interacting with the world are lost on you.
That being said, is the story funny? Yes.
Is it an illustrated D&D adventure? Yes.
Does it feel like how a campaign would most likely normally go? Yes.
Will people who have never had anything to do with D&D enjoy it? ehhhh, most likely not.
I'm not bothering with a summary for this book review since you can sum it up with "The beginnings of an intricate D&D game".
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID.
If you have played D&D, would you enjoy this book? PROBABLY YES. There is a ton of stuff scattered throughout the pages for D&D players. There's a lot of fun ingenuity for tackling different situations while also having some classic missteps throughout the story.
I did enjoy the book, but again, I think it's intended for the audience of people who have at least played one game of D&D. It's fun, I'd recommend trying it once.
Happy reading!
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