Member Reviews

This was a gruesome and realistic view into the results and reality of war, which is important. The last men were a ragtag group which I couldn’t help but love and I am interested to see the ongoing story with the war between Vangols and the tension between humans and orcs. I thought this was a great first installment to map out the world and its entities and am interested in where this will go!

Was this review helpful?

I know reviews for this book are great, it jist isn't the genre I'm into, and I just didn't get into this book so I DNFd it a couple issues in.

Was this review helpful?

The beginning of a turbulent high fantasy that promises to be a sprawling epic with complicated interspecies politics. The lore of this world is introduced so organically as we merrily-and-not-so-merrily roll right along, decades of warring grief and political matches of love informing our characters actions as much as the threat of invaders. And by the way this book ends, more is to come on that horizon.

Was this review helpful?

I was not sure what to expect from this graphic novel, but it wasn't the excellent and complex story I read. Strong characters. Tropes both used well and subverted. A completely different way of writing orcs. I was thoroughly riveted. Looking forward to what comes next.

Was this review helpful?

Quite gory and intense for my liking, but very interesting nonetheless! It is a good sign when you get excited for the next volumes after reading the first one!

Was this review helpful?

This a colourful and gripping graphic novel which has all the feels of an epic saga in the making.

Humans and Orcs have been at war for hundreds of years but they unite to defeat a common enemy, the Vangol.

This story weaves between the main characters as they seek to defeat the deadly invaders. The alliance that will save their world is not an easy alliance as both orcs and humans have to unlearn their hatred and mis-trust of each other, so that their way of life and their civilisation can survive. This will take courage, wisdom and a willingness to unlearn their traditions and lives of mutual hatred.

Meanwhile the Vangols use their own ancient lore and traditions to destroy both humans and orcs, hunting everything that gets in their way and using stealth and ancient knowledge to destroy the world.

The story is gripping and also tense. It weaves the past and present together into a tapestry of fine story telling and artwork.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

An epic tale of a fantasy world on the brink of falling and the alliances created to survive. Both bleak and hopeful, it reflects a world in a state of upheaval but its inhabitants are also willing to fight.

Was this review helpful?

I think this was enjoyable but ended up not being something I would rave about. One problem I find with a lot of fantasy graphic novels is that the story feels incredibly rushed and characterization is not prioritized for us to really understand the who and motivations of the main characters. We are not shown and just told or rushed through their backstory and basic character profile. It lacks depth for me often. This book did that for me.

I loved that there was world building and a bit more showing of the way the world is falling apart on many fronts to give more weight to the motivations of the characters. I like that there are different clans of orcs with defining features and we are shown a bit about their lifestyle, and it makes us want to learn more. I also was left wondering why humans are so scarce and scattered (honestly going extinct in this world). I appreciate the layers of mystery around the threat in this world, and how they as a people are not just evil incarnate but have their own motivations and purposes.

I wish the story was a bit more slow in the building of relationships and we got to get a deeper understanding of the main players, so that it was even on the playing field of the worlds complexity.

I am going to read the next volume, and really hope to see more about these characters.

Was this review helpful?

A Big Thank You To IDW Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the Opportunity to Review It.

We’re moving through our previous reviews of Shonen manga, Historical Fiction, and Superheroes into a world of Magic and Fantasy. The Hunger and The Dusk Vol. One brings together a powerhouse creative team consisting of G. Willow Wilson (Wonder Woman, Ms. Marvel, Cairo), Chris Wildgoose (Porcelain, Batman: Nightwalker, Alienated), and MSASSYK (Isola, Gotham Academy, Critical Role: VOX MACHINA Origins) for a thrilling tale filled with Action, Suspense, and Romance. Warning: While it is a Fantasy series, it contains sexual themes and incest.

Orcs and Humans are the only beings left in this dying world, both are mortal enemies fighting for territory and political advantage. But when a group of ancient beings known as Vangol arrives from across the sea, destroying everything in their path. The Orcs and Humans are forced into a fragile alliance to protect what they have built. As a gesture of his commitment to the cause, and to the relief of his wife-to-be, Faran Stoneback—the most powerful orc overlord, Troth Icemane, sends his beloved cousin Tara, a high-ranking young healer, to fight alongside brash human commander Callum Battlechild and his company of warriors. With a crisis looming, the success of this unlikely pair’s partnership and the survival of their people will depend on their ability to unlearn a lifetime of antagonistic instincts toward one another and rise above the sting of heartbreak. This volume contains Issues 1-6.

Going into this story, I thought it would be your typical “Orc vs Human” story, but it began to play out more of a TTRPG (Table Top Role-Playing Game) which made the title more interesting. I have been a fan of Wilson’s work since her time with Marvel and felt that her approach to this Fantasy-filled world was great for people who enjoy the genre and those who are new to it. It may be action-packed, but it is a romance story as well! Setting up a romance between the Human mercenary named Callum Battlechild and the Orc Healer Gruakhtar “Tara” Icemane, which I am certainly rooting for! Aside from that, the Vangol are terrifying and sinister, truly cruel creatures when you get further into the story but the most vile thing about this volume is that it leaves you on a Cliffhanger.
The artwork in this volume was stellar, Chris Wildgoose and MSASSYK were two of the biggest factors in this volume in terms of illustration. Aside from Wilson’s script, Wildgoose’s linework and MSASSYK’s colors brought the action and each emotional moment to life, especially when it came to the Vangol’s cruel and barbaric nature. How well the characters were designed and how they were portrayed was the number one factor for me to purchase this title in the future.

Was this review helpful?

When reading a comic book feels like you are watching a movie, you know that a very well done comic book. This felt like watching events that already happened and are set in stone written by an author to have it recorded for posterity. The world has its own ways of being and everyone within the world depending on their background believe differently and are fighting for different things. However, the great equalizer in this story is hunger.

Every orc and every human and even every Vangol are all working to end their own hunger. The orcs and the humans fight each other for better farmlands and the Vangol just kill everyone. Yet there is something that everyone is missing except the Vangol in this war to feed their own people and that’s something I want to know about so badly, but have to read in volume 2 and beyond.

I loved that this felt like a snippet of the beginning of a very very long journey ahead. This epic fantasy comic has so much depth and the authorship and the artistry meld together beautifully in equal parts to tell this story.

I need more!!!

Was this review helpful?

The art was gorgeous and the premise of the story drew me in from the get go. I absolutely loved this book!!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much to NetGalley and IDW for allowing me to read the first volume of The Hunger and the Dusk! I really appreciate it :)

I was a little confused at first about what was going on, and what the 6 months change after the prologue had to do with anything. I do love that we’re seeing bards and rogues and just orcs in general!! I find fantasy so much fun to read and as a person who has an orc-loving friend, this was a really interesting read!

The artwork is BEAUTIFUL. Oh my God, the choice in colours, the way everything was drawn, the artwork of Chris Wildgoose and MSASSYK is beautiful. It makes me wonder what other graphic novels they have taken part in, because the artwork in this book was next level. I also wonder if they’ve worked together on another graphic novel as well.

The plot was really interesting to read! While I love the found family trope, it just didn’t really focus on that because the family has already been made. Maybe that’s why I docked a star? To be honest, I’m usually not 100% sure why stars are docked in some way because I really think about how I feel about the book. The alliance is very intriguing to read about.

This was a really quick read though. It feels like I barely read anything. There’s some intricacies in the plot between characters, and it makes me wonder what’s going to happen in the next volumes. Also, I’m a little unsure of how I feel about orc relationships.. Incest isn’t really my cup of tea.

Incest aside, I did enjoy the rest of the book and I saw that there are 6 volumes! I will be sure to read them when I get the chance!

Was this review helpful?

Admittedly, I was worried about another “humans versus orcs” conflict and the humanization of both sides taking on a dramatic tone, as well as another D&D/TTROPG inspired comic, but I was pleasantly surprised.

To be clear, I’m not a professional artist of any degree. So this is coming strictly from a consumer standpoint. But there were a few times when the panels and spreads were used so artfully that I wish there could have been more inventive use of the panels to make the bloodier scenes come alive and be, well, graphic.

The interlude pages I think could have offered a bit more in terms of artwork.

But the romance between Troth and Faran? Chokehold. Chokehold. Chokehold.

LORIS? Step on me. Call me your little girl, call me pathetic, don’t care. Happy PRIDE.

Cal and Tara’s relationship—I want to see how it develops. Even I flinched when Tara called out Cal’s origins. I do understand her, even if I don’t condone her words. I don’t condone how Cal handled things leading up to that moment, but I also understand him.

I think my one thing I can’t shake is that—orcs are just…humans. I really enjoy it when other species are “other”. They don’t need to be so other that it’s now monster-territory, but, you know, just not human-adjacent.

All in all, this was a solid start, if a bit rushed. 3.5 ⭐️ read rounded up to 4. It makes me want to get a better ereader, so I can buy it!

Was this review helpful?

Intriguing world-building, diverse characters, gorgeous illustrations. The story didn't quite grip me as much as I'd hoped but I still enjoyed it.

I'd still be interested to see where the story goes in future volumes!

Was this review helpful?

I was really excited to read The Hunger And The Dusk, Vol. 1. I’ll be the first to admit that fantasy with orcs and everything isn’t always my jam, but this story looked really cool

And, I am very happy to say that I was not let down. I can’t wait to read more!

The world is The Hunger And The Dusk sets the humans and orcs as historical enemies who have to come together to fight an even bigger enemy. The humans are leaderless and hapless. The proud and regal orcs are facing a good shortage unless they conquer or partner with the humans.

The story is a romance, and I’m here for it. The human mercenary leader Callum Battlechild and the orc healer Gruakhtar “Tara” Icemane are going to fall in love before our very eyes, and we’re going to enjoy it.

The Vangol were righteous and scary. They left the lands currently occupied by the humans and orcs and have now returned with a bloodlust. Right? There’s nothing more to the story, right?

Just kidding. There very clearly is something else going on here, and I can’t wait to find out more.

I really liked this book. The setting is familiar but different. The characters and story are intriguing and, almost, species-swapped. And the artwork is gorgeous. G. Willow Wilson and Chris Wildgoose killed it. I can’t wait for more.

Thank you Netgalley and IDW Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Intriguing start to the story. I really like the orcs in this book. Their society is interesting, and I like the way they are drawn. The ears are kind of cute - they are definitely cuter in general than most other orcs I've seen.
This is just the beginning of the story though. I don't think I'll know how to feel about it properly before I've read the next volume... But I will be looking forward to it! I usually don't like war stories, and I did think the fighting was less interesting than the relationships, but i did like reading about the conflict between the orcs and the humans and their attempt at peace. And I liked the main characters, especially Tara, the orc healer. I hope we get to see more of the main characters' backstories in the next volume.

Was this review helpful?

The Hunger and the Dusk Vol 1 immerses readers in a captivating fantasy realm that feels both fresh and enchanting. The world-building is intricate, offering a rich backdrop for a diverse cast of characters who each bring something special to the narrative. The storytelling is compelling, seamlessly weaving together elements of adventure and mystery that keep you eagerly turning pages. Accompanied by stunning artwork that brings the world to vivid life, this graphic novel is a treat for anyone who enjoys imaginative storytelling and beautifully illustrated worlds.

Was this review helpful?

Two waring races come together to fight a common foe the Vangol. The Humans and Orcs have been fighting for centuries over fertile land but must work together if they want to survive. I enjoyed the back and forth between two MMCs one from the Humans and the other from the Orcs. You get to see the struggle from both sides.
I wish the Vangol would have been more of a mystery throughout the entire first volume but overall I enjoyed it. Also the orcs are a little more nice and intelligent than I thought they would be. The artwork was great. I will be sure to pick up the next one.

*Thank you NetGalley, IDW Publishing, and G. Willow Wilson for this arc.

Was this review helpful?

I’m so glad I finally got to read through volume one of this series. It’s just a good fantasy world and the team does an excellent job building up the history in just six issues. Even more than that, I love the characters - from Tara and Callum to Troth and Faran and all of the more minor characters. They all shine in different ways.

The art team on this blew it out of the water with incredible character designs and vibrant world-building. This story feels like it is pacing to be more of an epic fantasy, but with just one volume so far it’s hard to say for sure. I absolutely loved it and if you love fantasy stories and graphic novels, this is one not to miss!

Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for his eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A cool fantasy comic with interesting characters and beautiful artwork. Once I started, I didn't want to put it down and plowed through the whole thing in one sitting.

Was this review helpful?