Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game that, since its debut in the mid-1970s, has stood out among games of this style. But behind its great success, it has a long history, since during the 1980s it faced some criticism for making satanic claims without evidence.
However, this did not represent a major problem for the video game, and it withstood the test of time to continue climbing in popularity with its new annual campaigns and new players. In addition, if that wasn’t enough, it also recently gained more mainstream appeal with the hit series Stranger Things.
Dungeons & Dragons on the big screen
The first installment of this franchise (directed by Courtney Solomon and written by Carroll Cartwright) was released on December 8, 2000, and revolved around the story of an empress who wants to get her hands on a mythical staff that will help her fight an evil wizard, and to accomplish her mission she enlists the help of two thieves.
Now that Dungeons & Dragons is back on the big screen for the first time in decades, Game Night directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley are set to release Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, a sequel that will star Chris Pine (Star Trek), as well as Justice Smith (Detective Pikachu), and Sophia Lillis (It).
What is the sequel about?
This time, the plot involves a group of criminals who unleash a deadly war by stealing the wrong relic, so now it’s up to them to set things right and prevent an evil entity from taking over the earth.
Additionally (and according to the trailer), it was learned that the film will be released on March 3, 2023, although the public will be able to meet the heterogeneous group a month before it hits the big screen.
The first trailer
Well, regarding the first Honor Among Thieves trailer revealed, you should know that it depicts classic D&D, with a band of unlikely companions teaming up and then embarking on a journey filled with fantastic landscapes to achieve a goal and defeat a big baddie. Plus, there are zingers, the titular dragons and Regé-Jean Page destroying monsters with a rather sweet sword.
But that’s not all, as brief sightings in the tavern have apparently confirmed the appearances of several monsters, including Mimics, Beholders and Displacement Beasts. And if you’re curious about the tone of the film, Pine described it to Entertainment Tonight as a mix of Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride and Game of Thrones… Wow!
Dungeons & Dragons gets a comic prequel
Now, IDW Publishing has announced The Feast of the Moon, a new prequel comic to Honor Among Thieves. The comic is led by an all-star creative team, including writer Jeremy Lambert (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), who will team up with Ellen Boener to build the plot. while Eduardo Ferigato (Last Flight Out) and Marvel alum Guillermo Sanna, best known for his work on Luke Cage, will bring their words to life.
Here, the plot will follow Chris Pine’s character (Edgin) and his band of criminals as they hide out in a town after a heist goes wrong. There, they become embroiled in a bitter feud between the town’s residents and a bandit king who has plundered the town’s resources for years under the threat of violence and disaster.
The most interesting thing about this prequel comic is that it was created as an initiative by Dungeons & Dragons fans themselves. Thus, The Feast of the Moon will be available in local comic book stores and bookstores starting in February.
Furthermore, the book will be available in paperback and will feature 96 pages of epic fantasy adventures that will undoubtedly get fans even more excited for the Spielberg-style movie, which will be released the following month.
To sum up, Chris Pine’s new adventure in the Dungeons & Dragons universe is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of 2023. So consequently, IDW Publishing’s prequel comic will serve as an excellent introduction to a new band of heroes.