Dungeons & Dragons Reveals First Look at New Series (Early Review)

Published Sep 17, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT TJ Mills is an editor on ScreenRant's Comic team, where she combines her lifelong passion for DC with her analytical background as a former Intelligence Analyst. Since joining ScreenRant in 2023, she has specialized in covering major DC storylines, character evolutions, and industry developments. The 2020s are truly shaping up to be a new Golden Age for Dungeons & Dragons fans, with a slew of new content spanning TV shows, movies, and more. In 2022, The Legend of Vox Machina, whose stories originate from D&D campaigns, premiered and quickly became a hit multi-season animated series. Then, in 2023, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves became a live-action blockbuster, and now there is even confirmation of a live-action TV series, Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft, coming to Netflix. However, another D&D series has been greenlit, and thanks to an early review copy, Screen Rant can say that it is a 10/10 addition to the D&D legacy that fans won’t want to miss. Releasing November 4, 2026, is the inaugural issue of Dark Horse’s flagship Dungeons & Dragons series, a title that will drop fans into the Forgotten Realms amid the approach of a draconic apocalypse. And amid this impending doom, there will be one name on everyone’s lips: MORDENKAINEN. As longtime D&D fans know, Mordenkainen is one of the most powerful wizards in the franchise, and while the character is typically associated with the World of Greyhawk, he will now be starring in this Forgotten Realms-centric narrative. However, this comes with a major change to the character’s status quo: stripped of his character-defining magic, Mordenkainen will have to rely on the help of some of Faerûn’s most legendary heroes to restore the balance and stop this impending doom. Brought to life by the legendary creative team of Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, alongside artist Ibraim Roberson, this comic series will be unlike anything fans have experienced before. Below, fans can find a four-page preview, as well as our full, spoiler-free review of Dungeons & Dragons #1. Dark Horse Reveals First Look At Dungeons & Dragons #1, And It’s Beyond Epic Main Cover by Esad Ribic for Dungeons & Dragons #1 (2026) Dark Horse has graciously shared a full, early look at Dungeons & Dragons #1 with Screen Rant, and to say the least, it has left us in a state of awe. From Esad Ribic’s stunning cover art to Ibraim Roberson and Arabson Oliveira’s gorgeous interior art, every page of this inaugural issue is a visual treat. That’s only enhanced by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly’s exceptional writing, which breathes new life into some of the franchise’s most legendary characters. Together, these elements make Dungeons & Dragons #1 a promising start to what could be a truly legendary D&D series. First, let’s talk about Esad Ribic’s cover art. Not only is it on the level of the beautiful art found in the Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks, but it arguably exceeds it. And that’s not even counting the stunning variant covers by a multitude of other A-list artists, including, but not limited to, Antonio José Manzanedo, Mateus Manhanini, and Tyler Jacobson. These covers alone make getting a copy of Dark Horse’s Dungeons & Dragons #1 worth it for lovers of the franchise-defining artistry often found in the sourcebooks. However, as any comic fan knows, sometimes the interior art doesn’t live up to the expectations set by the cover. That is the furthest thing from the case with Dungeons & Dragons #1. Ibraim Roberson and Arabson Oliveira’s interior art is a thing of beauty, and they make that clear right off the bat on the first page with a gorgeous spread that shows Mordenkainen getting blasted by a massive dragon god. Truly, this is some of the best interior art you’ll find in an ongoing comic series right now. Now, without giving anything away, Jackson and Collin’s writing takes this from an epic visual spectacle into an outright masterpiece in the Dungeons & Dragons ever-expanding bibliography. The dialogue, character interactions, and pacing make this 26-page issue a fully immersive read that will have you grinning from start to finish. It’s tension-filled yet exceptionally fun, and the characters are without a doubt the best part of this issue. Each has a unique voice and personality, making it nearly impossible for readers not to find a favorite. Dungeons & Dragons #1 is a beautiful masterclass in respecting the franchise’s lore while presenting an entirely fresh story that will find plenty of appeal among die-hard fans of the franchise. However, newcomers, fear not. This series also serves as a perfect jumping-in point for those who have yet to discover the magic of Dungeons & Dragons. Jackson and Collin: We are insanely excited. Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most important games ever made, full stop. It allows you to explore identities beyond the mirror, solve problems with impossible tools, and be brave in ways that real life rarely offers. We regularly play with our friends, our parents, our loved ones, and even the occasional stranger at a convention. The truth is, D&D has been core to our friendship for as long as we can remember—particularly the massive world of the Forgotten Realms—and is a shared language we use daily. Turning that shared obsession into a grand, epic, and original story is nothing short of a dream come true. Dungeons & Dragons #1 from Dark Horse will be available to read on November 4, 2026!