Cover Image: The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 1

The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 1

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I actually enjoyed the high fantasy stuff, but it was complicated to read on computer because of the type of file. Although I would like to keep rereading this series.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a fun and compelling read! Fans of Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings looking of a new, comic book world to get totally sucked into, check this out! I'll be counting down the days for Vol 2. (**ARC provided by Netgalley**).

Was this review helpful?

Netgalley Review

Star Rating: ★★★★☆

I thought this was just going to be another Orc vs Human manga. It definitely did well by adding an interesting third party to the mix to make it more intriguing and make me want to read more. It also mentions a lot of little that makes me interested to see what others characters they'll bring into the mix. Can't wait for the next volume to find out how they get out of their current predicament.


Like always read it and decide for yourself!

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this comic book. I really liked the aestetic of the orcs, as well as the Vangol. The story was interesting too and it seems like it has an underlying ecological message which I like to see in fiction.
I hope I can find the next volume and continue the story.

Was this review helpful?

The world is dying - scarce farmland is being fought over by orcs and a desolated human population, but now the two sworn enemy races find themselves in a tentative alliance against a more violent foe - the Vangol. In an effort to ally the races, Tara, a promising young healer and cousin to one of the most powerful orc overlords, is stationed with the human warrior Callum Battlechild and his group known as “The Last Men”. Their mission is to discover how the Vangol are finding their way so far in from the shores where they land, but to also secure the shrinking farmlands from further violence.

This was an engrossing fantasy with a rich world that I am excited to find out more about in volume two. This volume only scratched the surface of the complex society of the orcs, and we barely got to see why there was such a collapse amongst the humans, but all that did was pique my curiosity. What we saw of the Vangol was also mysterious and ferocious, but there were hints that they also had reasons behind their actions that were left unexplained. I appreciate the way Wilson built characters through flashback sequences and political intrigue but balanced that with action that drove the story forward.

The illustration team of Wildgoose, Msassyk, and Sousa created a beautifully colored fantasy world that fully engrossed me as I was reading, and it was full of some amazing details. I enjoyed the character designed, especially the different details for the orcs in the different climates we saw them in throughout the book.

There is one sexual scene where the overlord and his wife finally get to consummate their marriage, so teen collection development folks be warned.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12

Was this review helpful?

G Willow Wilson writes a fairly basic Dungeons and Dragons Actual Play. Art and coloring are great though so that carries it. I enjoyed the focus on orc society and culture.

Was this review helpful?

Willson came up with a fast pace, well-crafted plot and characters story here. My only issues is the action is bit too short for how big the sequence get. The emotion is there and the artwork is gorgeous. The world that we are placed in is also fascinating. I will be conituing on and excited to see what in store.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely adore anything that G. Willow Wilson puts her name on so it came at no surprise to me that I would come to absolutely devour this one. I loved it. The storyline was great and so was the artwork. I love the air of mystery around the Vangols. I love that Orcs are portrayed as somewhat peaceful warriors and that it's only land that really is making them war with humans. The D&D vibes are immaculate and I really cannot wait to read more from this series.

Was this review helpful?

As fantasy graphic novels go, this was very well done. In fantasy, you typically see Orcs as the antagonists and in 'The Hunger and The Dusk' it seems like it was how it was before the Vangol started invading. Fighting for land and resources, now they must ally to fight and survive. The alliance is of course fragile as they don't trust each other. The story while seen before, is incredibly well done, and you just absolutely want to make sure the characters survive and what happens throughout. The artwork is amazing, each character is distinct and memorable, with the background being detailed as well. The fight scenes are done amazingly and while fast-paced are easy to follow.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this graphic novel.

In a lot of ways this reminded me of a DnD campaign. Overall it was an enjoyable read, but there were a few times where I found myself getting distracted and losing interest. The art was great and was the thing that kept me returning to the book. The story ended on a cliffhanger, but I don't know if I will pick up the next book or not. I didn't dislike this by any means, but it just didn't fully grab my attention.

Was this review helpful?

The Hunger and the Dusk vol. 1 collects issues #1-6 of the series. This comic features a dying world where only humans and orcs remain. They are mortal enemies, but when a group of ancient humanoids known as the Vangol pose an even greater threat, the humans and orcs form an alliance to take on this new threat together. This alliance is fragile but it’s the only way to move forward. The survival of both groups lies in the hands of a commander of a band of humans and a high-ranking orc healer.

This story has an adventurous Game of Thrones/Dungeon & Dragons vibe which I enjoyed, and the vibrant art brings the characters, action and scenery to life. Unfortunately, everything else about the book fell flat for me. I wanted more worldbuilding and I feel like I don’t have a reason to care about the characters. And because I don’t care about the characters I also don’t care about the romance. There was an interesting moment where we learn about the Vangol, but it wasn’t fully explored. I know there’s only so much that can be done in six issues, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. This genre is so popular and overdone, and so far I feel like The Hunger and the Dusk isn’t bringing anything new to the table. Hopefully this will change as the story continues. I’m interested in reading the next volume to see if my opinion changes.

Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC to review.

Was this review helpful?

This book was very confusing. Quite a few different groups whose stories intertwine, some only briefly before they disappear. I couldn’t really connect with the characters, nor did I even find them interesting. Not the book for me, I guess

Was this review helpful?

Big shoutout to IDW Publishing for granting me an early peek at "The Hunger and Dusk Volume 1," encompassing issues 1 through 6. Scheduled for release on June 10th, Volume 1 offers a comprehensive collection. For those eager to dive in before the official launch date, Comic Unlimited subscribers can access the first two issues of "The Hunger and Dusk." Now, let us delve into the narrative.
In "The Hunger and Dusk," crafted by G. Willow Wilson, we're thrust into a world embroiled in conflict between humans and orcs, the last remnants of their respective races. Enduring a prolonged and fruitless war, both factions grapple with famine and environmental decay. The arrival of the Vangol complicates matters further, disrupting the fragile equilibrium between humans and orcs.
Our journey begins with the introduction of Callem Battlechild, leader of the mercenary group "The Last Man Standing." Negotiating an alliance with the orc clan led by Troth Iceman, they enlist healer Tera as part of the truce. This alliance proves pivotal as it underscores the necessity for humans and orcs to unite against the indiscriminate threat posed by the Vangol.
Wilson's portrayal of orcs is a refreshing departure from the typical savage archetype. Troth Icemane’s concern for his people and desire for cooperation with humans resonates deeply, challenging the prevailing stereotypes. The depiction of orc culture, characterized by its elegance and tribal nuances, adds depth to their characterization.
However, like other fantasy epics, "The Hunger and Dusk" suffers from the inherent challenge of balancing a sprawling cast of characters. With a multitude of players introduced within the span of six issues, a few of the characters receive inadequate development, diminishing their impact on the narrative.
Turning to the artwork, it captivates with its blend of hand-drawn aesthetics and vibrant digital coloring. Action sequences burst with kinetic energy, seamlessly conveying the fluidity of combat. The paneling, while intricate, never overwhelms, keeping a clear visual flow throughout.
In conclusion, "The Hunger and Dusk Volume 1" promises an immersive high fantasy experience. Scheduled for release on April 10th, it's available for pre-order at various online retailers, including Amazon. However, I urge you to support local comic shops whenever possible, as they play a vital role in promoting diverse storytelling. Embrace the enchanting world of "The Hunger and Dusk" and embark on an epic adventure.

Was this review helpful?

Huge fan of G Willow Wilson from afar but as a first time reader of her work this is great! Great art :)

Was this review helpful?

It's a fair start to what is hopefully an interesting series. There's nothing I can really ding it for; it just didn't captivate my interest. The cousins in love part does give me pause, although I presume they won't end up together.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this volume and look forward to continuing this series. The art and color palette was perfect for the world and storyline, very vibrant and eye catching. I have reas other series by this author before and have liked their story telling and here it’s once again very engaging. The slow build of trust in the orc/human alliance is done so well and even though I don’t know the characters super well yet I found myself invested in their journeys. Overall a great start to a series.

Thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for granting me access to an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The Hunger and the Dusk vol. 1 is about humans and orcs - the mortal enemies - that got forced into an alliance. It follows along the orc main character - the orc overlord Troth Icemane - and the human main character - commander Callum Battlechild.

This was a great fantasy graphic novel. It didn’t hit the 100% mark just because I would have loved it to be longer - some scenes were a bit rushed.
However, the amazing illustrations and the mystery behind the dying world sucked me into this novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A gorgeously rendered new fantasy world and an action packed story that I will be keeping up with as each volume drops.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy!!! So, I absolutely love the artwork. It it top-tier. I turned to my partner and said look at this when I opened it. If you are an artwork person in graphic novels, you will like this. The characters didn't feel rushed and even though every panel feels tense due to the situation this felt like a relaxation to read. I can't wait for the next issues.

Was this review helpful?

This book was so much more incredible than I was expecting. It had political intrigue, thoughtful worldbuilding that was well-embedded in the story, and realistic, emotionally compelling character interactions. The art was exceptional for a number of reasons. The first being that the style and character designs reminded me of the Rankin-Bass adaptation of The Last Unicorn, a film I am very fond of. The second was that the art itself and page layouts were shockingly cinematic, including conventions like establishing shots and dynamic fight scenes.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of 80s and 2000s epic fantasy films, DnD-related media, and the Disney+ series Willow. I look forward to seeing the next installments of this series.

Was this review helpful?