The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins: A D&D graphic novel

FanLit welcomes a new guest reviewer: Serena Labrecque! Find out more about Serena at the bottom of this post.

The Adventure Zone, Here There Be Gerblins by Clint, Griffin, Justin, and Travis McElroy & Cary Pietsch

The Adventure Zone, Here There Be Gerblins (2018) is the first in an ongoing graphic novel series based on the McElroy family’s D&D campaign. It’s a convenient way to enjoy the story without listening to 69 podcast episodes: over 82 hours of content.

Magnus Burnsides (human fighter), Merle Highchurch (dwarf cleric) and Taako (elf wizard) are setting out on a quest under the guidance of their GM Griffin McElroy (actual human). What was supposed to be an easy job – transport goods for Merle’s cousin Bogard – is turned upside down when Bogard and his bodyguard Barry are kidnapped by Gerblins. (No relation to the popular D&D race goblins.) It’s up to our three heroes to rescue them.

Except Magnus, Merle, and Taako have stumbled across a plot even larger than they’d expected. The mastermind behind their kidnapping is after more than the magical map in Bogard’s possession. Who is the half-orc woman Killian, and why do the heroes hear static when she talks about the mastermind’s true goal? It will take all of their bravery and cunning to defeat the villains and unlock an out-of-this-world conspiracy revolving around a certain ancient artifact linked to Bogard’s past …

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As goofy as they are, you can’t help but root for these heroes. At first they can seem like one-dimensional people, but as in every good story, we watch them grow. We uncover new sides of them that they don’t initially show. Merle is often bumbling and goofy, but he has moments of great wisdom. His player is the father and new to D&D, and that translates into his character. He isn’t quite sure what he’s doing – especially with his spells – but he’s a moral compass and the one to go to for advice. Magnus is headstrong and doesn’t always think things through, but he’s also a kind and honest person. He is the most genuinely heroic of the party. He also hides great sadness that’s only hinted at so far, but the fact he can still be upbeat shows emotional resilience. Taako seems selfish and hedonistic, but he’s also brilliant. (Every book has at least 1 moment where Taako’s quick thinking saves the day. You can tell his player is the more experienced gamer.) He’ll also get the best character development throughout the series. But that’s for later books.

I love how the GM is a character too. It really makes the novel feel like we’re watching a D&D campaign. Although he’s an omniscient being leading the plot, the party treats Griffin like just another friend. Also, this book’s meta moments mean we get weapons and NPC/enemy stats, which is always a laugh.

The tone of this graphic novel is mostly comedic. There’s lots of jokes, and the characters don’t take anything very seriously at first, whether it be their enemies or themselves. However, without giving away spoilers, the finale takes a sudden darker turn. There’s also foreshadowing throughout their adventure that something far bigger is going on, and that there are more epic plotlines to come. The story’s tone is balanced quite well. Since we have such a wide range of emotion – from highs to lows – everything is felt more. The tragedy hits all the harder thanks to the wacky jokes that came before.

The art is dynamic and engaging, and its use of color conveys meaning to the scenes. For example, while most of the story has a wide range of hues, during a scene full of fire, everything is shaded orange and red. This color shift relays how overwhelming the fire is. The characters themselves have fun and unique designs. Throughout the series, they change outfits based on their destination. Not every visual medium puts that much thought into character design. It’s easier to pick a recognizable ensemble and stick with it, instead of creating a whole new outfit for each book.

As of the summer of 2024, THE ADVENTURE ZONE series has 6 books out and more on the way. This D&D graphic novel is an all-around fun read, with plenty of heartfelt and epic moments to keep the readers wanting more. No wonder Here There Be Gerblins was a nominee for the Goodreads Choice awards!