Dragonlance Classics Volume 1 (Dragonlance Classics Tp) by Dan Mishkin

Dragonlance Classics Comics #1

by Dan Mishkin

Open the door to the magical world of Krynn, where the evil Dragonlords rule...but not without opposition from the mighty Champions of Krynn. Among their number is Sturm, steadfast Knight of Solamnia, veteran of the War of the Lance, and sworn enemy of the tyrants of Krynn. Collects issues #1-8 of the Dragonlance series originally published by DC Comics.

Genres: Dragonlance, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels, Dungeons and Dragons

Paperback

First published June 16, 2015

About the author

Dan Mishkin is a comic book writer who has worked on superheroes, sci-fi, and sword & sorcery, as well as comics featuring funny animals and American history. He is a co-creator of the girls' fantasy adventure Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld, the superhero series Blue Devil, and the current webcomic Amazon Academy.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad these comics were made available on Hoopla, I'd honestly never even known of their existence but now (similarly to the excellent Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms Classics series) I am hooked!



Now if THAT page doesn't scream classic D&D-based comics to you, I don't know what you're missing!

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware the Draconian! (1-4). It's rather daring to set a new story with a new protagonist right in the heart of the original Dragonlance Chronicles. But, oh, Riva is horribly Mary-Sued here. Not only does she get her own artifact of the gods and her own Dragonlance, but she's also drawn the attention of powerful forces like Lord Soth and Kitiara and even gods like Takhisis and Paladine. Who even needs the Companions with Riva here?

With all that said, this is still a good story that makes strong use of the Krynnish setting. I could certainly quibble about some of the details, which at times feel non-canonical, but in its overall shape and form it's quite a strong Dragonlance story with interesting characters and a good ending [6/10].

Raistlin's Pawn (5-8). Interesting to see that this comic is going to jump all over the Dragonlance chronology. Here we have not just a new protagonist, but also a new time period: near the end of Dragons of Spring Dawning, as opposed to the previous book which was set before Dragons of Autumn Twilight.

This is another story peopled with great characters, and it has a really strong ending too. Mishkin isn't writing standard comic fare, but instead fantasy-tragedies! And this book is also deeply entrenched in Dragonlance chronology ... to the point that I'm not sure it would make sense to someone unfamiliar with the Chronicles. Though our new protaganist has dealings with some of the greater forces of Krynn, it feels more believable here (but I'll look forward to future stories where the characters can stand on their own more). [7/10].

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grabbed this off Hoopla due to nostalgia - I loved the Dragonlance setting back in the day (still do) and wanted to see what this particular tie in was like. The artwork was on the plain side, but felt in line with what the big 2 were doing at the time. In particular I loved the look of the draconians and the dragons.

The plots... meh. The first half had a somewhat interesting story that followed a woman who wanted to be a knight of Solamnia (which, like most organizations modeled after medieval Europe, was misogynistic), and a knight who had retired and joined an order of monks, as they try to warn their family and friends about the invading army. There were a couple of unearned cameos from the Companions, but the story was fun enough. The second half followed a dark elf who is bewitched by Raistlin for... purposes. This didn't work for me. The elf wasn't interesting, his companions weren't interesting. Heck, the gnome was the best part of that story and he's only in about a chapter and a half.

Worth reading if you want a historical artifact, or REALLY love the world of Krynn. Otherwise, there are better things to read out there.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brought me back to my childhood when I read all of the paperbacks like a posessed Draconian.

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pair of stories set during the events of the original Dragonlance novels. Both are pretty solid, interesting stories. Unfortunately, unlike the AD&D and Forgotten Realms comics from the same period, you really need to know at least the basics of Dragonlance to really appreciate them. I suspect they'd leave new readers pretty cold. Still, if you do know the Dragonlance saga, these make pretty nice side stories... (B+)

[Andrew Sorrentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introductions of new characters along with meetings with the original companions. First story is great! New character Riva and Sturm's uncle. Second story is okay. A dark elf being used by Raistlin, and a magic user/pirate are he focus. I really enjoy the art.

[Baal Of · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story is a straightforward fantasy adventure filled with archetypal characters, jumping directory to the Dragonlance with little build-up. This is light, enjoyable fare worth about 3.5 stars. The second story was mostly crap with some irritating characters, especially the pratfall gnome Gnatsch with his stupid run together words and stupid inventions. I disliked this one enough that by the time it got more serious, I didn't care. 2 stars.
The artwork on both was lovely, leaning toward exaggerated poses, but it's fantasy so I can give it leeway. The colors are vivid and suitable to the style, although there was at least one page where all the characters inexplicably had green skin instead of their normal colors.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old 80's Dragonlance Comics that happen alongside the books. Sturm meets a monk of Majere and continues home to Solace without realizing that monk is actually his uncle. Then it follows the uncle's storyline. Not bad really but seems like a strange alternate timeline even though I'm pretty sure they are part of the overall canon.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Late 80s early 90s comics have a very specific feel and look, especially in how they portray female characters, so there’s definitely some eye rolling of chain mail bikini action in here. However I love stories in Krynn and if you can put up with some of the overt sexism of the era the stories are actually pretty nice addition to the Dragonlance universe.

[I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great art and interesting storylines but you will need to be a fan to truly get the most out of this. The plots take place concurrently with the original book trilogy so you may be lost if you haven’t read those

[Neil Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun stroll down memory lane. The writing isn't as crisp as I remembered, but I suppose that's partially my fault for getting old. The world was still as exciting as I remembered it and the art brought the original books characters to the page consistent with my mind's eye rendering.

[John Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun stories in the Dragonlance world recommend!

[Ron Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grew up reading Dragonlance as a kid. It's been twenty years. Unfortunately there's not much here. Cheesy and dated. More of a nostalgic glimpse than anything else. I wouldn't mind seeing a reboot.

[Jonathon Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love going back to my childhood D&D days! Glad to find these and revisit that classic fantasy world that made me who I am today.

[Ben A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, fun stuff that helped stoke the nostalgia flame but just not quite as fun as the first Forgotten Realms Classics volume.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first encountered Dragonlance in high school circa '85 and have always adored the core stories, especially the original trilogy, but always felt the ancillary stuff was lacking the heart and soul of the material by Weis & Hickman, and these comics are no different. Sometimes interesting, always serviceable, they are a decent diversionary read, but do not provide anything close to the type of memorable experience that you will never forget and always be willing to revisit that the original trilogy did. You could pass on these and never miss anything vital to the Dragonlance experience, but they are still well-crafted comic stories.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tried combining this book with the other editions. It didn't work. These are nice side stories to the main Dragonlance Chronicles story arc. They fit for a fantasy story. They lack the feel of Dragonlance. That was my biggest drawback.