REVIEW: Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons: The Rise of Hellfire #1

Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons: The Rise of Hellfire is an entirely dull comic devoid of any real conflict or intrigue. The issue swings back and forth between 1985 where the Eddie we love first meets Lucas, Dustin and Mike and 1978 where Eddie is first introduced to Dungeons & Dragons.

The show uses D & D as a metaphor for heroism and the fight against things that haunt teenagers and children. But here we are simply put through a by the numbers campaign without any apparent subtext. The interest in this story would be watching Eddie transform from a meek tag-along to the rebel leader we know and love.

But starting the story in present time robs us of seeing that transformation and instead makes the past sequences feel obvious and pointless. Eddie became the consummate rebel but there is not enough in the past sequences focusing on what he was rebelling against. The artwork throughout the 1985 sequence is great with the characters looking familiar and Eddie carrying the tale with his personality and leadership. But the 1978 sequences reflect Eddie as a much less interesting personality. The characters and story feel dull and generic without any real momentum.

This of course should change in coming issues as there is no question that there are dire times ahead for Ronnie and potentially other members of the 1978 crew. But there is not enough quality here to bring readers back for the next issue to see what twists may lie ahead. We understand the need for a dull beginning to contrast with Eddie’s eventual Hellfire transformation. But as of now the D&D sequences feel silly and the characters feel light. There is no anger, no rebelliousness, no danger and no injustice in this book to justify any future transformation.

Writing: 1 out of 5
Art: 2 out of 5
Colors: 2 out of 5

Overall:
1.5 out of 5

Writers: Jody Houser and Eric Campbell
Art: Diego Galindo
Colors: Diana Sousa
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.