THE WICKED + THE DIVINE writer KIERON GILLEN teams up with artist supernova STEPHANIE HANS (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE 1831, Journey Into Mystery) for her first ongoing comic! DIE is a pitch-black fantasy where a group of forty-something adults have to deal with the returning unearthly horror they barely survived as teenage role-players. If Kieron’s in a rush, he describes it as “Goth Jumanji.” That only captures a sliver of what you’ll find in oversized debut issue—where fantasy gets all too real.

This comic book introduces us as readers to a compelling and dark fantasy world where role-playing games become dangerously real. At the same time this comic book presents a fascinating premise that captures the imagination, though it occasionally struggles with pacing and depth.

The narrative in this comic book begins with a group of teenagers who, in 1991, are mysteriously transported into a fantastical world through a role-playing game. The story then jumps to the present, where the now-adult characters are drawn back into the game’s dark realm. The writing itself in this comic book is atmospheric and layered, exploring themes of escapism, nostalgia, and the consequences of past actions.

The premise of this comic book is pretty intriguing, offering a unique twist on the concept of role-playing games. The idea of a game world that becomes real and the impact it has on its players is a fresh take, inviting us as readers to ponder the boundaries between fantasy and reality. However, while the setup is engaging, this comic book sometimes feels rushed, particularly in its transition between past and present. This can make it challenging for me personally to fully connect with the characters and their shared history.

The characters themselves are diverse, each bringing their own baggage and complexities to the story. The creators of this comic book hints at their individual struggles and the ways the game has affected them, but the limited space in this first comic book leaves some of these aspects underexplored. As a result, while the characters are intriguing, they lack the depth needed to fully engage me personally from the outset.

The artwork itself in this comic book is a highlight of this comic book, because it is creating a visually stunning and atmospheric experience. The artwork in this comic book has a rich and moody vibe to it that reflect the dark and mysterious nature of the story. In a way the artwork in this comic book has the ability to convey emotion and tension through her art enhances the narrative, which had drawn me personally into the eerie and fantastical world of “Die.”

The character designs we get in this comic book are distinctive and memorable, capturing the essence of each character both in the real world and within the game. The combination of the atmospheric backgrounds and character work results in a visually cohesive and striking comic.

Despite its strengths, this comic book occasionally struggles with pacing. The rapid shifts between timelines and the introduction of numerous characters and concepts can feel overwhelming, which has left me personally with more questions than answers. This can hinder full immersion into the story, though it also sets the stage for deeper exploration in future comic books in this series.

I Give This Book 3 / 5