In the wake of San Diego Comic-Con 2026 comes the first volume of Brett Bean’s new, hit high-fantasy/comedy series, D’Orc, shining with all the spunk and charm you’d expect from the beloved artist of I Hate Fairyland.

In a fantasy world ravaged by conflict, the kingdoms of light and dark fight against one another in an everlasting war to snuff out the other. Between the factions lies a stretch of dangerous land known as the Scar, a lawless place where the only thing that matters is who’s left standing. In the midst of everything, however, comes a hero in the shape of D’Orc, a good-natured half-dwarf-half-orc just trying to survive in a realm where he’s perpetually hunted by both light and dark.

If you’ve been following my reviews lately, you already know I am a massive fan of Bean’s work on the dark comedy series, I Hate Fairyland, where Brett Bean was able to stretch his artistic chops in a way that complemented his naturally eccentric style. Except this time, Bean is adding another title to his credits as the writer of this series, giving him an opportunity to showcase a different side of his creativity—and I’m glad to say that it matches up to his illustrative talent. The story moves along at a solid pace, with hilarious quips peppered in between plot beats and action scenes. And, boy, are there plenty of action scenes! There is no shortage of sinew as D’Orc & co. travel through the Scar, battling against ogres, wizards, and all manner of creatures.

With Beaulieu and Piekos at their respective helms, it’s a match made in heaven for fans of fairyland havoc, with colors and SFX popping on every page. Piekos’ work in this volume reminds me heavily of Rus Wooton’s lettering in Do A Powerbomb, with bombastic slams, punches, and snaps to accentuate the bloodied violence present in this book. It makes it all the more gut-wrenching when D’Orc delivers a haymaker accompanied by a brutal WHAM!

All in all, D’Orc Volume 1 is a wildly entertaining journey packed with enough humor and bloodlust to sate even the hungriest of comic book readers.

Creative Team: Brett Bean (writer/artist), Jean-François Beaulieu (colorist), Nate Piekos (letterer, logo & design)
Publisher: Image Comics
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