The massive resurgence of Dungeons and Dragons has proven that fans want to experience the Forgotten Realms through more than just tabletop dice rolls. Following the success of the recent live-action film and massive video game releases, the franchise is officially expanding its comic book universe.
IDW Publishing has announced Total Party Kill, a brand-new four-issue comic series that completely subverts traditional fantasy tropes. The first issue is scheduled to hit comic shop shelves on July 22.
The monsters take the spotlight
Instead of following a standard group of heroic elves and noble paladins, Total Party Kill focuses on the creatures usually reserved for dungeon boss fights. The main adventuring party consists entirely of iconic Dungeons and Dragons monsters. The roster includes a mind flayer, a death knight, a baby beholder, and a lycanthrope named Tilli, who appears to be the central protagonist.
The plot kicks off following the death of a powerful wizard named Custos. His demise triggers a massive gold rush, prompting rival adventuring parties to raid his lair for a mythical artifact known as the Gorget of Dominance. The monster party must defend their home and secure the artifact before the traditional heroes can slaughter them.
A legendary villain emerges
The title of the series is a clever nod to the dreaded tabletop scenario where an entire player group is wiped out. It signals a heavily action-oriented narrative with genuine stakes. Solicitations for the second issue have already revealed a major twist. The monster squad will eventually cross paths with Valindra Shadowmantle, one of the most infamous and dangerous antagonists in Dungeons and Dragons lore.
By putting players in the shoes of the monsters, the comic offers a fresh, villainous perspective on the classic dungeon crawl format.