A Razor-Sharp Return to One of Comics’ Smartest Fantasy Worlds
The squad reunites to celebrate Chuck’s life, which is equal parts sweet, awkward, and “bro, can we NOT trigger the apocalypse again tonight?” And of course, someone rolls the world’s worst (or best?) dice, and BOOM new players get yanked into the game like they accidentally clicked a phishing link from a god. Classic Die energy.
Gillen’s script is sharp enough to shave your eyebrows clean off. Every line hits funny when it wants to be, heartbreaking when it needs to be, and dangerous whenever Gillen decides he’s bored of your peace of mind. The emotional weight is real, but the dialogue is so tight you don’t even notice the knife until you feel the warm trickle of regret down your shirt.
Clayton Cowles is back doing lettering magic like he signed a pact with a deity of word balloons. The way he balances chaotic internal monologues with clean emotional beats? Chef’s kiss, baby. The gods’ speech alone is so visually powerful it practically judges your entire life choices.
But let’s be real Stephanie Hans could draw a grocery list and still make it look like the final prophecy of a doomed kingdom. Every page is painted drama. Colors shift from gentle whispers to explosive “OH SNAP” moments that slap your eyeballs with divine force. When the first new player gets sucked into the game… hermano, that page TURNED THE LIGHTS BACK ON IN MY SOUL.
What makes Die: Loaded so fire is how smooth the transition feels. No recap, no warm up, no foreplayjust straight back into the emotional trenches. The story builds slow, but intentionally. It tightens the tension like a drum skin until you feel that final-page snap in your bones.
Bottom line? This isn’t just a sequel. This is the next evolutionmore dangerous, more emotional, more beautiful, and absolutely ready to ruin your week in the best possible way. The dice are rolling again, and trust me… fate is petty and ready to fight.
SCORE:
4.5/5
Die: Loaded #1 is out now at comic shops and digital platforms, continuing the series with a sharp, emotional, and visually explosive new chapter.
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Stephanie Hans
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
Author Profile
- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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