The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 2

The Hunger and the Dusk #7-12

by G. Willow Wilson, Chris Wildgoose (Artist), MSASSYK (Colorist)

The acclaimed fantasy epic by Hugo and World Fantasy Award–winning writer G. Willow Wilson and artist Chris Wildgoose reaches its thrilling conclusion!

In a world where humans and orcs have spent generations at war, a fragile alliance once offered hope for peace. But after a devastating rift, that alliance begins to fracture as enemies gather and war threatens to consume both sides. Perfect for fans of: Saga and Monstress or readers who love sweeping fantasy worlds, impossible odds, and high-stakes character drama.

Collecting The Hunger and the Dusk issues #7–12! Including the previously unreleased issues #10–12 - for the first time in print, concluding the saga!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

152 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2026

About the author

Hugo, World Fantasy and American Book Award-winning author of novels and comics, including THE BIRD KING, INVISIBLE KINGDOM, and ALIF THE UNSEEN. Co-creator of Ms Marvel. Honorary doctor of letters, Rutgers University. I accidentally started a dutch baby baking cult during quarantine. Not very active on here right now, but often found on Twitter.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty great! But…over now? 👹

[Michael Howley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is still gorgeous, and I still love G's writing, but the pieces of world and story never quite fit together. The focus on individual acts of heroism and love are so jarring on the backdrop of a dying world, and the portrayal of an alien enemy who knows more about that doom never seemed to be fully drawn out. I wonder how much of this got cut to wrap it up within a second "six issue" volume.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fragile alliance between humans and orcs fractures after a falling-out between human commander Callum Battlechild ("Cal") and orc healer Tara. Without their orc healer Tara, the mercenary Last Men Standing find themselves in a precarious position as their enemies multiply. Ruthless Vangol invaders and rogue orc dynasties aggressively stoke the flames of war across the realm. As civilization teeters on the brink of total collapse, Tara remains a potential key to restoring peace, though new faces and fresh tensions on the battlefield threaten to complicate her mission before the saga reaches its high-stakes climax. Not as good as the first volume, and the ending did not satisfy me.

[Kamen Rider Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

Una decepción en todo sentido aun mas con lo que me gusto el vol.1...
🥲

[Larakaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stereotype smashing, thrilling fantasy. I like.

[Trike · Rating 2 out of 5]

The quality of this really plummeted after the first one. Which is so unlike Wilson’s work that I suspect the series was canceled yet IDW was nice enough to let them at least get some closure. Unfortunately it’s unsatisfying and feels like a summary of the story they meant to tell rather than the whole thing.

The timeline of events is uncertain here. Various characters mention that weeks have passed but it doesn’t feel that way at all. Without a map it’s impossible to tell how far away anything is.

Tara the orc healer stormed off at the end of Vol. 1 and she’s replaced by Lissa… who then mysteriously disappears. She then shows up with orcs in the last issue. It was so abrupt and weird that I went back and reread those parts twice more. Yep, she just vanishes from the story. I’m fairly certain there’s some connective narrative missing here, like an entire chapter., because it’s unlikely Wilson or Wildgoose simply forgot about her.

Wildgoose’s art is still good but I think the curtailed publication necessitated some shortcuts. There’s a scene where human warrior Callum stands alone against an invading horde of Vangol, but the “horde” is just three attackers. When the orcs ride to his rescue, there only seem to be three or four more. Even being generous by saying every Vangol shown is completely different (which clearly isn’t the case, but say it is) then there were only 12 total. Not exactly a threat to an orcish warband.

The same thing happens at the end during the grand finale. It’s set up to be like the Battle of Helm’s Deep, but it comes across like four guys fighting in a basement. I think this is due to the truncated story they were forced to tell.

Volume one was so good that I immediately preordered the deluxe edition, which comes out in a couple weeks. This was so disappointing that I canceled that order. It’s a bummer because this book had so much promise at the beginning. Definitely one of the most disappointing reads in recent memory.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I really really like this book, I think I may have overdone it in my initial excitement.

This book is easily my favorite fantasy comic in recent memory and definitely on my list of best of all time. Vol.1 was action packed and focused more on world building and the politics of the orc and humans, and then there were glimmers and of a budding romance that I know made a lot of us really excited! Vol.2 focuses on character relationships with lots of action. There are tons of great buddy moments, some steamy romance, nice character reveals and a very satisfyingly conclusion to what I hope is only the fist of many great story arcs to come! There are also one or two super great heroic moments! The nerd in me loves seeing how the humans and Orcs know each other really well from being enemies for generations, which makes them incredible allies now that they're fighting for the same cause.

I adore this book, but I have two minor gripes that ultimately lost this book a star. One is these tall freaky bastards from over the sea are scary and creepy to look at, but they really seem to go down easy for the most part. (this might be just me)
More disconcerting is that the size and travel time in the world seem to be in constant flux. I appreciate that the world is big, but it also seems like the times to find people, gather forces, heal, and travel from place to place seem a bit inconsistent. I'm not asking of a full blown Tolkien valley by valley, tree by tree account of their journeys (actually please no) but something like a world map would be great!

[Ángel Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

No se puede concluir una historia tan prometedora de una manera tan insatisfactoria. Los dibujos siguen siendo buenos, la trama sigue siendo interesante, pero... venga ya.

¿En un par de números se cargan a todos los súper malos prácticamente invencibles? ¿El mundo continúa muriéndose sin esperanza, al menos a corto plazo, de que las cosas cambien? ¿Y por qué está ocurriendo todo esto, que, no lo olvidemos, es el motivo principal por el que los vangol invaden las tierras de los humanos y las de los orcos? Da la sensación de que hay un misterio subyacente que Willow Wilson pretendía explorar y que, sea por la razón que sea, se ha quedado ahí, en el aire. El final de la serie no es que sea abrupto, es que no es ni final, y dudo mucho que esta gran autora lo hubiera planeado así. Lo único satisfactorio de este volumen (aparte del arte, que es igual de bueno que en el primero), es la resolución de la historia de amor entre Cal y Tara, que, a pesar de ser previsible, es la esperada y la que todos los lectores deseábamos. Por lo demás, un tanto decepcionante. Para mi gusto, se ha quedado a un arco argumental de la excelencia.

[Jen Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic conclusion to what has become one of my favorite fantasy graphic novels.

'If we hold on to what we believe, and to those we love...
...then we too can make the barren earth bloom."

G. Willow Wilson has a talent for making these big, epic conflicts feel deeply personal and grounded. The art does an impressive job of showing both the action and battles, but also captures the emotional conflict of the characters. This is an action-packed fantasy, but it is also complex, emotional, and romantic; I enjoyed watching the different groups come together to fight together, all while the individual characters are facing more personal challenges of the heart. Perfect for comic fans who love graphic novels with action and emotion; a great first read for romance readers who would like to dip their toes in a graphic novel.

[Cale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series really needed more time. Not to denigrate what's here - it's a good follow-up to the first volume and adds lots of interesting wrinkles, culminating in a large-scale conflict that works well on the page and provides fulfilling resolutions for most of the characters. But this world is so rich and intriguing (and so beautifully illustrated), that I would have liked to see a bit more of it before the plot tied up. It really feels like there should have been at least one more volume. Unfortunate, but at least we get to enjoy what was released. And I definitely recommend it. Action, romance, characters with nuance and depth, and some metaphors that may be a bit heavy-handed, but land all the harder for it. Check it out.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fairly good.
It was pretty clearly trying to be a left and righr coming together to fight a common enemy which seemed to be immigrants but only in the last or second last issue was it ever touched on that the immigrants also had humanity.

Not left on a cliffhanger, but left with a threat that climate change hasn't been addressed as that what the immigrants were fleeing.

Last issue felt the ending was rushed. Stakes of fhe villains never felt real. The world population didn't feel large. Just three groups of humans and orcs.

Last men standing never really made sense to me. Why wouldn't all able bodied people and orcs be fighting for their survival?

Art and colours were good.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to stay mad at IDW about this book because they released the first 3 issues as single issues and then did a turn about and only released the second half in trade which I thought was pretty shitty. But I have to say the writing and art are both still topnotch. The book looks terrific. Just so good. Wilson is at the top of her game with the story. It's just one of the best fantasy comics out there.

It felt like there was more to the story though. I have a feeling IDW isn't planning on continuing it. Wilson and Wildgoose should try and do a kickstarter or something though. I'd certainly kick in for more comics, especially if they are like this.

[Clint Hannah-Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I loved the first six issue arc, I don't think it ended quite as satisfactory. The truce between the orc and human factions and love bringing them together? Great. Unfortunately, the vangol kept being told as "fighting more than we knew" and other vague descriptors that felt really unfulfilled in the end. It was still a fun read overall but wanted just a bit more.

[Mee Too · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read these in issues on hoopla.

Wilson is one of my favorite GN authors. Her writing is just really good in everything I've read of hers so far. This series is awesome, i’m not sure where it’s going to go from here but i hope it continues.


4.4✨

[Matt Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if this is a conclusion to the series or not but I found the pacing oddly ponderous for the most part and then frustratingly rushed in the final issue, all resulting in an unfortunately underwhelming read.

The artwork is consistently beautiful throughout though.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended in a bit of a hurry, but really beautiful to look at, especially the colouring. It's refreshing to have a two volume story arc rather than trying to keep track of things over many many volumes and years.

[Andrew Gorham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A absolutely fantastic follow up to one of the best fantasy comics in years. G Willow Wilson crafts an action packed character driven love story that truly works. Chris Wildgoose’s expressive artwork is gorgeous capturing quiet character moments and big bombastic violent action.

[Iván Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gran continuación. Me encantó la historia y el dibujo, diseño de personajes, el mundo...
Por poner algún pero, me parece un final muy precipitado y además muy críptico. ¿Es a conciencia que no sepamos el porqué del ataque de los vangol? ¿Continuará? Me quedé con ganas de saber...

[Niah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did quite enjoy this (beautiful artwork, love the characters, themes, and exploration of climate change), but it felt so rushed. This really should have been more than 2 volumes to fully flesh out the world and plotlines. Alas.

[Odo · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some plot threads appearing and disappearing but on the whole rewarded with lots of fun narrative this volume.

[Thebulversaint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little too safe and predictable, but gosh that artwork is wonderful!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

*cries* is it over? 😭
Damn I could read this as a 5 book novelization series and love it even more.

[Edward Newgate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story overall.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fight over dwindling resources on a dying world. Slow healing. Punching shields.

It isn't greener on this side, the doom is just delayed.

[Michael Kocinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series. Wildgoose draws great expressions. Wilson writes great dialogue and creates a well realized world. I feel like the cancellation of this series harmed the conclusion, if in fact the second volume wasn’t the planned end of the series. It seemed like we were going to get another layer of storytelling related to the villains—there was some dialogue suggestive of more backstory m, but I’m afraid and saddened we won’t ever know if that’s the case. Anyway, definitely enjoyed it and recommend it to folks who like dungeons and dragons, high fantasy, romantasy, etc. worth a borrow from the library at the very least.

[Simon · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Lecture assez décevante. Le Vol 1 m'avait bien hypé, je me disais qu'on faisait face à un projet qui pourrait aller devenir grandiose. Quand j'ai commencé la lecture du Vol 2 (issue 7 donc) j'ai directement décelé que ça allait dans une direction qui me plaisait pas vraiment. Je me suis dit "ok peut-être que le volume 2 agira comme un buffer avant le volume 3" mais ce n'est pas le cas puisque la série est maintenant terminée. Les issues 7-11 sont très lents, on suit juste Callum qui tente de rattraper Tara et au final l'issue 12 rattrape un peu tout ça mais on nous a vendu une bataille existentielle dans le volume 1 et là ça retombe un peu comme un soufflé. C'est tellement différent du volume 1 qu'on se demande si la maison d'édition n'a pas annulé la série d'elle-même. Y'avait tellement à explorer que ce soit au niveau des Vangol ou de la terre qui se meurt petit à petit qu'on ne peut qu'être déçu de la fin écourtée de cette série.