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Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft—Orphan of Agony Isle #1-4
Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft--Orphan of Agony Isle
DISCOVER the Demiplane of Dread! In her castle laboratory, D&D's own mad scientist, Dr. Viktra Mordenheim, performs experiments testing the bounds of science and magic!
THRILL to a Castle of Horrors! Following a terrible accident, Miranda awakens in Schloss Mordenheim under the questionable care of the definitely-not-lawful-good doctor, with no memory of who she is. Desperate to learn about her past, she soon begins to question what she is told and test the strictures placed upon her. Gentle Reader, the truth she uncovers will SHOCK and DISTURB you!
SHUDDER at a Menagerie of Monsters! A collection of lab notes detail the tragic fates of Ravenloft's unfortunate inhabitants, in a collection of supplementary stories by writers Casey Gilly, Ryan Cady, and Ro Mediavilla, and artists Corin Howell, Vincenzo Riccardi, and Kayla Felty.
We must caution you, Dear Reader, these are not tales for the faint of heart!
THRILL to a Castle of Horrors! Following a terrible accident, Miranda awakens in Schloss Mordenheim under the questionable care of the definitely-not-lawful-good doctor, with no memory of who she is. Desperate to learn about her past, she soon begins to question what she is told and test the strictures placed upon her. Gentle Reader, the truth she uncovers will SHOCK and DISTURB you!
SHUDDER at a Menagerie of Monsters! A collection of lab notes detail the tragic fates of Ravenloft's unfortunate inhabitants, in a collection of supplementary stories by writers Casey Gilly, Ryan Cady, and Ro Mediavilla, and artists Corin Howell, Vincenzo Riccardi, and Kayla Felty.
We must caution you, Dear Reader, these are not tales for the faint of heart!
96 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 3, 2023
Dungeon's & Dragons meets Universal Studios Monster Movies? Fun times!
January 16, 2023
I received a copy of this eARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
Here is a decent return to Ravenloft, a realm I hadn't personally ventured to in a couple of decades. It was an interesting "Frankenstein"ish story set in the dark realm with great visual art. We also had some linked stories that tied in to the main drama, all touching on other facets of Ravenloft.
In the day, this was one of the great expansions to the AD&D game and it was during this time that I was an active gamer and Dungeon Master. So here is a good trip to that nostalgic time...
Here is a decent return to Ravenloft, a realm I hadn't personally ventured to in a couple of decades. It was an interesting "Frankenstein"ish story set in the dark realm with great visual art. We also had some linked stories that tied in to the main drama, all touching on other facets of Ravenloft.
In the day, this was one of the great expansions to the AD&D game and it was during this time that I was an active gamer and Dungeon Master. So here is a good trip to that nostalgic time...
December 17, 2022
This is a Frankenstein-like story set in the world of Dungeon and Dragons, and more spesificly, at Castle Ravenloft.
I love Dungeons & Dragons, and Curse of Strahd is one of my favorite campaigns, so naturally I was looking forward to reading this one.
It has some elements of D&D, but it was lacking a little and I wish there were more. But the story in itself was allright. It felt like a classic, gothic horror story, where a lot of stories come together to a spooky conclusion.
All in all I think people who like reading horror comics might like this one a lot!
I love Dungeons & Dragons, and Curse of Strahd is one of my favorite campaigns, so naturally I was looking forward to reading this one.
It has some elements of D&D, but it was lacking a little and I wish there were more. But the story in itself was allright. It felt like a classic, gothic horror story, where a lot of stories come together to a spooky conclusion.
All in all I think people who like reading horror comics might like this one a lot!
January 13, 2023
I am a fan of weird horror stuff with interesting art so I enjoyed this and am definitely interested in diving into this particular D&D setting more.
(I did have an issue with the digital ARC I received where it was too large for the screen and would not allow me to zoom out so did miss the bottom of the pages...)
(I did have an issue with the digital ARC I received where it was too large for the screen and would not allow me to zoom out so did miss the bottom of the pages...)
November 25, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, IDW Publishing, and Casey Gilly for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This graphic novel is a one-off tie-in to the Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft campaign.
The art isn't really my favorite, and I had a hard time getting into the story, but once I realized how the stories within the story were connected, man this is one creepy book! I love the creep-factor and how each story is linked to the injured girl, "Miranda."
There are a number of stories about how this person or that person dies, seemingly unrelated, dreams or stories from a book, perhaps, but the connection is awesome and I don't want to spoil the multitudes that is this stand-alone graphic novel. Excellent for Dungeons and Dragons fans for certain, as well a horror-seekers.
This graphic novel is a one-off tie-in to the Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft campaign.
The art isn't really my favorite, and I had a hard time getting into the story, but once I realized how the stories within the story were connected, man this is one creepy book! I love the creep-factor and how each story is linked to the injured girl, "Miranda."
There are a number of stories about how this person or that person dies, seemingly unrelated, dreams or stories from a book, perhaps, but the connection is awesome and I don't want to spoil the multitudes that is this stand-alone graphic novel. Excellent for Dungeons and Dragons fans for certain, as well a horror-seekers.
November 23, 2022
In Orphan of Agony Isle, the world of D & D meets Gothic Horror. Let me begin by explaining that I am familiar with Dungeons and Dragons, not so much with the Ravenloft setting. My first dip into those waters was the enjoyable story presented here. And while it might be a case of knowing which direction the story is heading, here it's more about the journey than the destination. It's definitely a page turner as each bit let me quickly to the next. I would gladly grab any future Ravenloft comic projects from the creative team and any fantasy-type project for that matter.
Special Thanks to IDW Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Special Thanks to IDW Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
December 29, 2022
One of the things that I love about DnD is the chaos of playing with other people. Every game I have ever played includes the line "can I lick it". Or some variation of that. Then everyone is yelling at said player that they absolutely should not touch, lick, or flirt with said item. This energy is rarely caught in books. Orphan of Agony Isle has that energy. I found myself actually saying outloud not to touch something. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed this book more than I expected.
Story is about a girl who wakes up in a creepy house with a creepy caretaker. She is being kept for her safety. So yeah, she probably shouldn't touch that.
4 stars
Story is about a girl who wakes up in a creepy house with a creepy caretaker. She is being kept for her safety. So yeah, she probably shouldn't touch that.
4 stars
January 4, 2023
This was a great gothic story, and I loved the artwork. Other than a few references, it didn’t really have anything to do with D&D or Ravenloft, which was a bit of a disappointment, and some of the storytelling was a little choppy and disjointed. Still a good read though
November 4, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
(Rating is 4.5!) I just want to preface this with the fact that I know pretty much NOTHING about any Dungeon and Dragons stories, and I know nothing about Ravenloft. Which I think is a campaign or something? Really, I know nothing. This felt like a very Frankenstein-inspired novel but set in a Dungeons and Dragons universe. Miranda, is a mystery girl covered in wounds with no memory of who she was before waking up in Dr. Viktra's lab. Miranda wonders who she was before and why Viktra is bothering to help her at all. Some of Dr. Viktra's and Miranda's interactions are pretty bizarre to me. Dr. Viktra flies into a rage for one second and then instantly goes calm again. Miranda tries to stand up to Dr. Viktra, only to instantly chicken out and go "Forgive me for my indolence!". Like...huh? Those interactions are minor and only happen a few times, but enough for me to notice. The overarching storyline that slowly has Miranda find out how and why she came to be in Dr. Viktra's lab was pretty good. Each chapter has a very small side story, before switching back to the main plot line. I think those side stories are actually interconnected with the main plotline, but I didn't really understand that until about the third chapter. I'm still not one hundred percent they are interconnected, but I assume. The art style is so good! Some of the page spreads are absolutely gorgeous, and the color schemes are beautiful. The page flow is good, and I never got confused about what was happening or who said what dialogue. There's also a good balance of dialogue and action, never too much of one or the other. I dunno, if this is going to just be a stand-alone novel or if there, will be more, but I hope so! I would love to see a novel fully focused on Miranda and a certain side character introduced in this novel.
(Rating is 4.5!) I just want to preface this with the fact that I know pretty much NOTHING about any Dungeon and Dragons stories, and I know nothing about Ravenloft. Which I think is a campaign or something? Really, I know nothing. This felt like a very Frankenstein-inspired novel but set in a Dungeons and Dragons universe. Miranda, is a mystery girl covered in wounds with no memory of who she was before waking up in Dr. Viktra's lab. Miranda wonders who she was before and why Viktra is bothering to help her at all. Some of Dr. Viktra's and Miranda's interactions are pretty bizarre to me. Dr. Viktra flies into a rage for one second and then instantly goes calm again. Miranda tries to stand up to Dr. Viktra, only to instantly chicken out and go "Forgive me for my indolence!". Like...huh? Those interactions are minor and only happen a few times, but enough for me to notice. The overarching storyline that slowly has Miranda find out how and why she came to be in Dr. Viktra's lab was pretty good. Each chapter has a very small side story, before switching back to the main plot line. I think those side stories are actually interconnected with the main plotline, but I didn't really understand that until about the third chapter. I'm still not one hundred percent they are interconnected, but I assume. The art style is so good! Some of the page spreads are absolutely gorgeous, and the color schemes are beautiful. The page flow is good, and I never got confused about what was happening or who said what dialogue. There's also a good balance of dialogue and action, never too much of one or the other. I dunno, if this is going to just be a stand-alone novel or if there, will be more, but I hope so! I would love to see a novel fully focused on Miranda and a certain side character introduced in this novel.
December 19, 2022
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
I had nothing but trouble with this file, even after I reported the initial problems with it not downloading and the publisher presumably uploading a newer version. I always liked the Ravenloft aspect of D&D so I was looking forward to this, but even the second version that I was finally able to open in Adobe Digital Edition wasn't fully readable. For some reason it was sized too large for the screen without the ability to adjust it to something smaller. Thus, I was only able to read the top half of the pages, which made it impossible to fully understand the story. And the font they used in the text, while I'm sure was intended to seem "gothic" wasn't the easiest to read. I hope in the future the publisher will do a better job of making sure its reviewers can easily and adequately access the files they provide.
I had nothing but trouble with this file, even after I reported the initial problems with it not downloading and the publisher presumably uploading a newer version. I always liked the Ravenloft aspect of D&D so I was looking forward to this, but even the second version that I was finally able to open in Adobe Digital Edition wasn't fully readable. For some reason it was sized too large for the screen without the ability to adjust it to something smaller. Thus, I was only able to read the top half of the pages, which made it impossible to fully understand the story. And the font they used in the text, while I'm sure was intended to seem "gothic" wasn't the easiest to read. I hope in the future the publisher will do a better job of making sure its reviewers can easily and adequately access the files they provide.
November 1, 2022
"You see, dear, when a doctor and science love each other very much, they decide they want to make a new life."
THis is an EXTREMELY good take on the Frankenstein story, and the fact that it's put through the lens of the Ravenloft setting actually only improves it. The writing is fantastic and the art is incredible. The arc I got to read was extremely difficult to read (the enormous watermark faded out about half the text and art to be unreadable, and the format for download wasn't designed to be resized in Adobe Digital Editions) so I had to read it on my phone instead of full size on my computer but despite that I was INCREDIBLY impressed by the quality of the writing, art, and storytelling. The frame narrative as Miranda began to recover her memories was extremely well done, and Viktra's instability was very compelling. Excited for Miranda to meet Elsie properly, and just -- yeah, this is also queer as hell, by the way. Thank you for this gift of a butch mad scientist lady version of Mordenheim.
I'll definitely be buying the physical edition of this comic when it's available so that I can read it properly when I revisit it.
THis is an EXTREMELY good take on the Frankenstein story, and the fact that it's put through the lens of the Ravenloft setting actually only improves it. The writing is fantastic and the art is incredible. The arc I got to read was extremely difficult to read (the enormous watermark faded out about half the text and art to be unreadable, and the format for download wasn't designed to be resized in Adobe Digital Editions) so I had to read it on my phone instead of full size on my computer but despite that I was INCREDIBLY impressed by the quality of the writing, art, and storytelling. The frame narrative as Miranda began to recover her memories was extremely well done, and Viktra's instability was very compelling. Excited for Miranda to meet Elsie properly, and just -- yeah, this is also queer as hell, by the way. Thank you for this gift of a butch mad scientist lady version of Mordenheim.
I'll definitely be buying the physical edition of this comic when it's available so that I can read it properly when I revisit it.
April 14, 2023
4.5/5 stars, with disclosure that I've read this before as individual issues on Comixology. I just bought the tradeback today, so new review time.
Ravenloft is my all-time favorite D&D settings, and the 5e revival has been so thrilling. In particular, the new/revitalized character of Dr. Viktra Mordenheim in the land of Lamordia was an instant favorite, so when I found out that there existed a brand new comic book based around her and the setting, I was thrilled! I immediately sunk my teeth into the issues, and I waited for months for the tradeback to be released so I could read it again.
The story is split between a recurring, long-form A plot and four separate anthology-style B plot stories that do, eventually, relate back to the central plot, to not put too fine a point on it. The A plot is centered around Dr. Mordenheim and a mysterious, amnesia-riddled young girl she names Miranda; the B plots take place over the wider Ravenloft/Domains of Dread settings, each a spot of dread and heartbreak to showcase different flavors of horror and portions of the setting.
I never have very high hopes when it comes to a lot of these D&D or western issue-style comics; the pacing and flow often leaves something to be desired, as too often does the art. So when I say I came away from the reading of Orphan of Agony Isle, I was simply stunned by the beauty and the brilliance of it! The horror is felt, the heartbreak and despair is oozes in the pages, and the art--both inks and brilliant colors--really helps to hammer the horror home. (I'd also like to give a very special shoutout to the art of the short story "Making Friends in Falkovnia"--that art style is absolutely to die for.)
I do wish that this story had been given a proper Graphic Novel treatment--I think the pacing is fine for what it is, but a story like this benefits from room to breathe, which is not alloted to it by the tight constrictions of comic issue page limits. Especially given the nature of the horror on display--there is body horror, to be sure, but more than that, the moody gothic horror that permeates the story could have benefited more from slower pacing, especially some of the interactions between Miranda and Mordenheim, and the ending which seems a little abrupt for what it is.
My *real* gripe isn't about the story at all, but rather the marketing--or specifically, the lack thereof. I follow a lot of D&D's social media profiles rather closely; it is a signifcant hobby for me and has been for over a decade of my life. Ravenloft is a special interest of mine, and with the release of Van Richten's Guide a couple of years ago, the interest in Ravenloft as a property has been fairly high! But I never saw an ounce of advertisement or marketing for this comic. I found it on *accident* while looking up the Ravenloft miniatures on Amazon; never once on twitter, nor an article... It was just sort of. Thrust out there, Hope For The Best, and given how hard I've seen them push some of their Markedly Worse comic adaptations, I think it's a shame.
I want this comic to do well, both because I think it's a good comic, but also because I want to see more Ravenloft adaptations in the D&D media zeitgeist, especially more comics. If you're interested in short Frankenstein-esque stories of gothic horror, Ravenloft, or D&D comics as a whole, I think this little comic is more than worth your while.
Ravenloft is my all-time favorite D&D settings, and the 5e revival has been so thrilling. In particular, the new/revitalized character of Dr. Viktra Mordenheim in the land of Lamordia was an instant favorite, so when I found out that there existed a brand new comic book based around her and the setting, I was thrilled! I immediately sunk my teeth into the issues, and I waited for months for the tradeback to be released so I could read it again.
The story is split between a recurring, long-form A plot and four separate anthology-style B plot stories that do, eventually, relate back to the central plot, to not put too fine a point on it. The A plot is centered around Dr. Mordenheim and a mysterious, amnesia-riddled young girl she names Miranda; the B plots take place over the wider Ravenloft/Domains of Dread settings, each a spot of dread and heartbreak to showcase different flavors of horror and portions of the setting.
I never have very high hopes when it comes to a lot of these D&D or western issue-style comics; the pacing and flow often leaves something to be desired, as too often does the art. So when I say I came away from the reading of Orphan of Agony Isle, I was simply stunned by the beauty and the brilliance of it! The horror is felt, the heartbreak and despair is oozes in the pages, and the art--both inks and brilliant colors--really helps to hammer the horror home. (I'd also like to give a very special shoutout to the art of the short story "Making Friends in Falkovnia"--that art style is absolutely to die for.)
I do wish that this story had been given a proper Graphic Novel treatment--I think the pacing is fine for what it is, but a story like this benefits from room to breathe, which is not alloted to it by the tight constrictions of comic issue page limits. Especially given the nature of the horror on display--there is body horror, to be sure, but more than that, the moody gothic horror that permeates the story could have benefited more from slower pacing, especially some of the interactions between Miranda and Mordenheim, and the ending which seems a little abrupt for what it is.
My *real* gripe isn't about the story at all, but rather the marketing--or specifically, the lack thereof. I follow a lot of D&D's social media profiles rather closely; it is a signifcant hobby for me and has been for over a decade of my life. Ravenloft is a special interest of mine, and with the release of Van Richten's Guide a couple of years ago, the interest in Ravenloft as a property has been fairly high! But I never saw an ounce of advertisement or marketing for this comic. I found it on *accident* while looking up the Ravenloft miniatures on Amazon; never once on twitter, nor an article... It was just sort of. Thrust out there, Hope For The Best, and given how hard I've seen them push some of their Markedly Worse comic adaptations, I think it's a shame.
I want this comic to do well, both because I think it's a good comic, but also because I want to see more Ravenloft adaptations in the D&D media zeitgeist, especially more comics. If you're interested in short Frankenstein-esque stories of gothic horror, Ravenloft, or D&D comics as a whole, I think this little comic is more than worth your while.
January 28, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher IDW Publishing for this graphic novel featuring one of Dungeons & Dragons most famous adventure settings, with a mix of gothic horror to keep readers on their toes.
Back in the day my friends and I had D&D sessions on Wednesdays, a tradition I think we kept up for a few years until high school got in the way. I don't remember if it was an ad or an article in Dragon Magazine, but it was about a new module that was coming out and it featured what looked like a well dressed man on a balcony, with his head back and teeth. Sharpened teeth. When the module hit the hobby store, I think we all bought it, and began some epic campaigns from what was inside. A world where magic was different, it was always dark, and the peasants were more food than characters. I think I was not playing as much when the box sets came out, I don't have them, but I have the fiction books, and still have a very soft spot for Ravenloft and the times I adventured there. That's why this graphic novel caught my attention I wondered how Ravenloft had changed. Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft- Orphan of Agony Isle written by Casey Gilly and illustrated by Bayleigh Underwood is a spooky story full of corrupted science, foul magic, mad Doctors and more, and as much fun as I remember the module being.
In a pocket universe known better as the Demiplane of Dread, a young woman returns to the conscious world, covered in wounds in a lab from a nightmare, but one she has no hope of awakening from. Her mind is slow, her memory erased, and she is strapped down with no idea of who she is, nor how she arrived here. Her name she is told is Miranda. This is told to her by the one other person present, Doctor Viktra Mordenheim, and they in her lab in Schloss Mordenheim in the Doctor's lab, safe for a time. As Miranda tried to remember what happened to her, one thing that is becoming clear is that the Doctor might not be who she pretends to be. Nor does Miranda know who might be more in need of help, Miranda or the Doctor whose moods have a habit changing at a whim. Lab papers tell of strange events happening, along with stranger creatures, but what does this have to do with Miranda? And will Miranda ever find out?
A Frankenstein-like tale that is a bit Dungeons & Dragons and a bit gothic horror. The story drops the reader right in, so it might take a few pages to see where the story is going, but the story moves along well, and is good. The story is set up with sub-plots moving to the bigger story, which is novel, and again has a Gothic feeling in the way the story is told. The characters are intriguing especially Doctor Mordenheim who I gather is a regular character in the current Ravenloft stories. The art is really good. I enjoyed both the colors and the backgrounds, which reflect the mood of the story, changing as the plot changes. The art and the writing really gel well here, and I would like to read more by this team in the future.
Recommended for Dungeons & Dragons fans without a doubt. Also for comic fans who like their horror a little more gothic, and not jump scary. A good idea, and a good story that reminded me of the fun campaigns we used to run. I look forward to more adventures in Ravenloft.
Back in the day my friends and I had D&D sessions on Wednesdays, a tradition I think we kept up for a few years until high school got in the way. I don't remember if it was an ad or an article in Dragon Magazine, but it was about a new module that was coming out and it featured what looked like a well dressed man on a balcony, with his head back and teeth. Sharpened teeth. When the module hit the hobby store, I think we all bought it, and began some epic campaigns from what was inside. A world where magic was different, it was always dark, and the peasants were more food than characters. I think I was not playing as much when the box sets came out, I don't have them, but I have the fiction books, and still have a very soft spot for Ravenloft and the times I adventured there. That's why this graphic novel caught my attention I wondered how Ravenloft had changed. Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft- Orphan of Agony Isle written by Casey Gilly and illustrated by Bayleigh Underwood is a spooky story full of corrupted science, foul magic, mad Doctors and more, and as much fun as I remember the module being.
In a pocket universe known better as the Demiplane of Dread, a young woman returns to the conscious world, covered in wounds in a lab from a nightmare, but one she has no hope of awakening from. Her mind is slow, her memory erased, and she is strapped down with no idea of who she is, nor how she arrived here. Her name she is told is Miranda. This is told to her by the one other person present, Doctor Viktra Mordenheim, and they in her lab in Schloss Mordenheim in the Doctor's lab, safe for a time. As Miranda tried to remember what happened to her, one thing that is becoming clear is that the Doctor might not be who she pretends to be. Nor does Miranda know who might be more in need of help, Miranda or the Doctor whose moods have a habit changing at a whim. Lab papers tell of strange events happening, along with stranger creatures, but what does this have to do with Miranda? And will Miranda ever find out?
A Frankenstein-like tale that is a bit Dungeons & Dragons and a bit gothic horror. The story drops the reader right in, so it might take a few pages to see where the story is going, but the story moves along well, and is good. The story is set up with sub-plots moving to the bigger story, which is novel, and again has a Gothic feeling in the way the story is told. The characters are intriguing especially Doctor Mordenheim who I gather is a regular character in the current Ravenloft stories. The art is really good. I enjoyed both the colors and the backgrounds, which reflect the mood of the story, changing as the plot changes. The art and the writing really gel well here, and I would like to read more by this team in the future.
Recommended for Dungeons & Dragons fans without a doubt. Also for comic fans who like their horror a little more gothic, and not jump scary. A good idea, and a good story that reminded me of the fun campaigns we used to run. I look forward to more adventures in Ravenloft.
June 3, 2023
“How dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to be greater than his nature will allow.” --Mary Shelley "Frankenstein"
For those that have not heard of the Demiplane of Dread you can imagine them as a D&Ds tales of horror like the movies where great evils have been taken from their native plane of existence and dragged to a part of this plane that was created by the entities known as the Dark Powers. Once trapped these great evils become Darklords of their domains which is the role of Dr. Viktra Mordenheim who rules over Lamordia.
Basically the D&D version of Dr. Frankenstein in the 5th edition of the game we see she has created a young girl in her quest for greater knowledge (and perhaps companionship even though she is known for her temper and often cold scientific nature.) Along the way of seeing the girl now known as Miranda seeks out answers as she discovers things are not what they always seem and that her life although muddled thanks to her amnesia has resulted in her being trapped by the "good" doctor as she continues to experiment and study her. Along the way we are treated to a variety of tales where we discover some of the victims that have made up parts of Miranda as well as discover the truth behind the mysterious entity of Elise (though there is foreshadowing early on.)
As a matter of fact I did a little research on the characters in this story and discovered there is a bit of history between Elise and Viktra which is sad considering the ending of the series and how pathetic the local mad scientist seems to be filling her life with a pursuit of knowledge when what was left of her heart is now free in her domain. Of course the ending is open ended so there is a potential for a 2nd series coming out and I will be just as thrilled to get that one too. :)
For those that have not heard of the Demiplane of Dread you can imagine them as a D&Ds tales of horror like the movies where great evils have been taken from their native plane of existence and dragged to a part of this plane that was created by the entities known as the Dark Powers. Once trapped these great evils become Darklords of their domains which is the role of Dr. Viktra Mordenheim who rules over Lamordia.
Basically the D&D version of Dr. Frankenstein in the 5th edition of the game we see she has created a young girl in her quest for greater knowledge (and perhaps companionship even though she is known for her temper and often cold scientific nature.) Along the way of seeing the girl now known as Miranda seeks out answers as she discovers things are not what they always seem and that her life although muddled thanks to her amnesia has resulted in her being trapped by the "good" doctor as she continues to experiment and study her. Along the way we are treated to a variety of tales where we discover some of the victims that have made up parts of Miranda as well as discover the truth behind the mysterious entity of Elise (though there is foreshadowing early on.)
As a matter of fact I did a little research on the characters in this story and discovered there is a bit of history between Elise and Viktra which is sad considering the ending of the series and how pathetic the local mad scientist seems to be filling her life with a pursuit of knowledge when what was left of her heart is now free in her domain. Of course the ending is open ended so there is a potential for a 2nd series coming out and I will be just as thrilled to get that one too. :)
February 11, 2023
I really liked this. I was super excited to read it because I grew up with my dad playing D&D with me. And honestly, I’m trying to get my baby sibling into it (I’m almost there, wish me luck).
What really drew me in was the art. I saw it and was pulled in and it’s one of the many comics I’ve come to love because the art and story meld perfectly.
Now the story was very much a Frankenstein story and I loved that. It wasn’t bad at all. I loved the whole amnesiac damsel in distress and her overworked creator. It was very interesting to see the way their personalities butted against one another.
It was a little easy to predict the way the story was going but I didn’t mind that because the art was absolutely stunning. It really did make everything better. The atmosphere of it, the character designs, all of it was great.
Reading this on a dark night? That would be an absolute joy.
If you’re looking for a quick Dungeons and Dragons story with a Frankenstein twist? This is it. Highly recommend.
Four solid stars.
I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publisher.
What really drew me in was the art. I saw it and was pulled in and it’s one of the many comics I’ve come to love because the art and story meld perfectly.
Now the story was very much a Frankenstein story and I loved that. It wasn’t bad at all. I loved the whole amnesiac damsel in distress and her overworked creator. It was very interesting to see the way their personalities butted against one another.
It was a little easy to predict the way the story was going but I didn’t mind that because the art was absolutely stunning. It really did make everything better. The atmosphere of it, the character designs, all of it was great.
Reading this on a dark night? That would be an absolute joy.
If you’re looking for a quick Dungeons and Dragons story with a Frankenstein twist? This is it. Highly recommend.
Four solid stars.
I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publisher.
April 13, 2023
Very Frankenstein! If you like Frankenstein, Dungeons & Dragons, or M is for Monster by Talia Dutton, you are sure to like this!
Miranda wakes up in a Gothic castle with no memory of who she is or what happened to get her there. Viktra is the doctor who claims to have healed her, and promises to care for her until she is fully healed. She has conditions however: Miranda must not try to regain her memories, and she ABSOLUTELY must not look under her bandages.
Viktra makes for a good example of a classic abuser. She keeps Miranda confined and in the dark all in the name of protecting her, and when Miranda becomes curious and starts asking questions, Viktra manipulates Miranda into feeling guilty for not appreciating the care and protection Viktra gives her. It's very very yucky to see.
I'm very interested in the mysterious Elise and very much look forward to seeing her in the future.
Miranda wakes up in a Gothic castle with no memory of who she is or what happened to get her there. Viktra is the doctor who claims to have healed her, and promises to care for her until she is fully healed. She has conditions however: Miranda must not try to regain her memories, and she ABSOLUTELY must not look under her bandages.
Viktra makes for a good example of a classic abuser. She keeps Miranda confined and in the dark all in the name of protecting her, and when Miranda becomes curious and starts asking questions, Viktra manipulates Miranda into feeling guilty for not appreciating the care and protection Viktra gives her. It's very very yucky to see.
I'm very interested in the mysterious Elise and very much look forward to seeing her in the future.
December 21, 2022
I love all things d&d (dungeons and dragons) but this one was a bit disconnected for me. Maybe I haven't played the particular campaign this graphic novel is based off or maybe I didn't quite understand the little side quests (disconnected chapters) well enough. But it didn't feel d&d enough to me. I did enjoy the Gothic vibes and the literary allusions though!
The main premise: an evil scientist goes a bit Frankenstein in her lab and cooks up various monsters and people from discarded corpses. Miranda, one of her latest creations, is on the mend, but is struggling with her new identity, restrictions within the castle and a growing need to be outside the confines of the castle.
What I loved: the dark color tones which contrasts with Miranda's seemingly innocent nature, the unilateral focus of both the doctor and her creation
The main premise: an evil scientist goes a bit Frankenstein in her lab and cooks up various monsters and people from discarded corpses. Miranda, one of her latest creations, is on the mend, but is struggling with her new identity, restrictions within the castle and a growing need to be outside the confines of the castle.
What I loved: the dark color tones which contrasts with Miranda's seemingly innocent nature, the unilateral focus of both the doctor and her creation
November 29, 2022
Received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Such a thrilling and enticing add-on to the Ravenloft campaign playable through DnD. If you want something to sate the mood of monster madness, spooky thrills, and insatiable horror-filled fantasy this is definitely right up your alley.
The artwork was a pleasure to see if not for the hard-to-read text at times that could and most likely will be remedied. I don't think you have to have a previous understanding of the game to be able to read this or any of the ones after. I sure don't have much knowledge of it beyond the basics. And I most definitely enjoyed it.
Such a thrilling and enticing add-on to the Ravenloft campaign playable through DnD. If you want something to sate the mood of monster madness, spooky thrills, and insatiable horror-filled fantasy this is definitely right up your alley.
The artwork was a pleasure to see if not for the hard-to-read text at times that could and most likely will be remedied. I don't think you have to have a previous understanding of the game to be able to read this or any of the ones after. I sure don't have much knowledge of it beyond the basics. And I most definitely enjoyed it.
August 25, 2023
I was quite surprised I hadn't heard anything about this coming out, as I'm really into D&D and Ravenloft, but to be honest the connection to D&D was rather surface level, and it's mostly just a collection of short fantasy horror stories.
That said though I really liked the overarching story between Miranda and Dr. Mordenheim, and I really liked their characters and design. The artwork throughout is amazing and I really appreciated the different art styles between the stories! Occassionally the pacing feels a bit off, especially in some of the sub-stories, which is a shame because it takes the momentum away a bit, but overall this was still an enjoyable read!
That said though I really liked the overarching story between Miranda and Dr. Mordenheim, and I really liked their characters and design. The artwork throughout is amazing and I really appreciated the different art styles between the stories! Occassionally the pacing feels a bit off, especially in some of the sub-stories, which is a shame because it takes the momentum away a bit, but overall this was still an enjoyable read!
January 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC of this graphic novel!
"Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft--Orphan of Agony Isle" was an entertaining and spooky frankenstein-esque story. The frame story follows a young girl called Miranda covered in bandages who awakens in the lab of a Doctor Viktra Mordenheim with no memories of her past. Dreams/memories come to her as she begins to strain against the Doctor's insistence that she cannot leave the castle. I think juvenile and older readers who enjoy gothic horror and "Dungeons and Dragons" will enjoy these tales. Readers also don't necessarily need to know very much about "Dungeons and Dragons" to understand the stories. I was a bit disappointed with the open ending, so I hope another installment will be published eventually. It was a fun creepy little read.
"Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft--Orphan of Agony Isle" was an entertaining and spooky frankenstein-esque story. The frame story follows a young girl called Miranda covered in bandages who awakens in the lab of a Doctor Viktra Mordenheim with no memories of her past. Dreams/memories come to her as she begins to strain against the Doctor's insistence that she cannot leave the castle. I think juvenile and older readers who enjoy gothic horror and "Dungeons and Dragons" will enjoy these tales. Readers also don't necessarily need to know very much about "Dungeons and Dragons" to understand the stories. I was a bit disappointed with the open ending, so I hope another installment will be published eventually. It was a fun creepy little read.
November 3, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW publishing for granting me access to this ARC in return for a fair and honest review. First of all the art in this graphic novel perfectly captured the feel and horror of Ravenloft. As a long time DnD player i think this is a great graphic novel to expand the knowledge of Ravenloft and give Dm's and players ideas for a Ravenloft campaign. My only hesitation to recommend this work is the text can be hard to read because of the font.
November 20, 2022
Having not read the manual I didn't know what I was going to expect for this, but the art is brilliant, the characters are compelling, and the story is pretty good. I'm excited for the next issue to find out what monster is going to be released into the world.
November 26, 2022
Overall, a fun read and the art work was incredible. I enjoyed this storyline and wish there was more!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 3, 2022
A compelling book of woven stories, told through beautiful artwork... Orphan of Agony Isle has mystery, horrors, magic, and science all wrapped up together. I enjoyed this one a good deal and I hope to see more!
December 25, 2022
I’m familiar with both the Ravenloft setting and have played in and run more than a few games of D&D. This was a solid Frankenstein story, the art wasn’t perhaps my favorite but the story entertained me! If you like the Ravenloft setting or just fantasy/horror comics this one would be a good one.
May 26, 2024
good.
Great D&D content. Saw the “twist” coming a mile away, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It subverted expectations in a few of the short sections. Good inspiration material for a module.
Great D&D content. Saw the “twist” coming a mile away, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It subverted expectations in a few of the short sections. Good inspiration material for a module.
February 17, 2023
3.5 stars
February 19, 2023
Reviewed for No Flying No Tights.
https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/202...
https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/202...
April 5, 2023
A mediocre return to Ravenloft with a Frankenstein motif. The only difference is the roles are gender swapped. Just not much here of interest at all.
April 9, 2023
This was a good Ravenloft trade. It has the horror elements that Ravenloft is known for. It was an intresting story and some good art. It ends as a set up to another one. I hope it happens!
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