What do you think?
Die: Loaded Volume 1: Zero Sessions
What if the fantasy game you played as a teenager became real—and refused to let you go? The cult-favorite, "goth Jumanji" series returns for an epic new story of a dark fantasy adventure game gone horrifically right or wonderfully wrong.
A year after their return from the hellish game world, the players gather for Chuck’s wake. They’ve finished with the game. The game isn’t finished with them.
The three-time Hugo Award-nominated series from Kieron Gillen (The Power Fantasy, The Wicked + The Divine) and Stephanie Hans (We Called Them Giants) is back. Get ready to roll initiative. Who’s going to DIE this time?
Collects DIE: LOADED issues #1-6.
A year after their return from the hellish game world, the players gather for Chuck’s wake. They’ve finished with the game. The game isn’t finished with them.
The three-time Hugo Award-nominated series from Kieron Gillen (The Power Fantasy, The Wicked + The Divine) and Stephanie Hans (We Called Them Giants) is back. Get ready to roll initiative. Who’s going to DIE this time?
Collects DIE: LOADED issues #1-6.
176 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Kieron Gillen
1,501 books1,948 followersKieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.
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November 11, 2025Even as a long-time fan and friend of Kieron Gillen, I was especially invested in Die, his comic about a cursed role-playing game. Partly this was because I got to be one of the early playtesters of the actual role-playing game (not cursed (probably)) which he created in tandem with the comic. Partly it was that, after a number of comics about glamorously fucked-up young superstars of their own stories, Die was, among other things, about people who.used to be geeky kids in the Midlands now facing up to middle age, and the damage the past always does once you've accumulated enough of it. Which, yes, felt relatable in exactly the same way all those insufferable/irresistible Phonogram cool kids used to.
Now, I'm in a slightly tricky position here, in that I never entirely know where to draw the line between explaining the premise of a piece of narrative art, and spoilers. That goes double for a sequel series, where you're not introducing the players wholesale, but referring to an established cast with whom readers are likely already connected. And it's yet more acute here where, thanks to Edelweiss and Image and generally being a very lucky boy, I've read the first trade the day before the first issue comes out. Which means there's a limit to what I can say before I start ruining surprises. So in the next paragraph I'm going to make some still fairly oblique observations, and drop a quote or two with minimal context, and I'll do my best to be careful, but if you want to go in completely fresh, don't even read that much, OK? Exit on this: Kieron and Stephanie are absolutely not doing an easy cash-in here. This is still an excellent comic, not to mention a visually delightful one. I would say still the Die you know and love, but I suspect by the end we'll be referring to the original series, all its revived trauma and impossible choices notwithstanding, as the early, funny stuff.
So. Without saying exactly who is doing what where, the first key distinction is that Die was a story about giving a bunch of RPG nerds what they wanted, turning the tropes inside out and following a gaggle of insiders desperately trying to game them. This time out, possibly in response to the further increase in wider cultural awareness of the hobby, there's a little more about how it looks to outsiders. And the obvious, responsible way to play that would be to have everyone realising what lovely fun games are, but a) that would be boring and b) this is Die. I was particularly taken with the awed, horrified line "He's researching history, culture, and... It's all for a game? What kind of game could have all of that inside it?"
As for who those outsiders are, well: if Die was partly a response to middle age, Loaded is, appropriately, about the next level of encumbrance: parenthood. Not something where I have the same direct experience, at least not from the parent side, but I've still seen enough people I know make the transition that I can sympathise with the horror of it – the exhaustion, the inability to ever feel you've done enough, the worry about every possible threat from the imminent and drastic to the lurking possibility of one's offspring having the wrong influences and growing up dreadful. And then, curled inside that, the worry of what it says when you've become the exasperated old git muttering about kids these days, and the chill of alienation when young folk look at you and see another uncomprehending adult, despite the fact that surely they should be able to tell you're still young at heart, right? You've still got it?
All of this, of course, could be expressed in plain old realist clothes. But isn't it so much less tiresome, not to mention more faithful to the inward reality of these huge experiences, when you turn it into quests through warped fantasy realms which, if not quite as explicitly doubling as a history of the genre this time, are still dotted with plenty of little nods to make anyone familiar with the territory smile and/or sigh in recognition?
Also, this is the second Gillen comic which has made spotting magpies out and about even more of a minefield than it already was, so thanks for that. And the gods get a bigger role from the off this time out, which is largely a delight, but frankly I'm amazed Stephanie let Kieron get away with the French one.
Now, I'm in a slightly tricky position here, in that I never entirely know where to draw the line between explaining the premise of a piece of narrative art, and spoilers. That goes double for a sequel series, where you're not introducing the players wholesale, but referring to an established cast with whom readers are likely already connected. And it's yet more acute here where, thanks to Edelweiss and Image and generally being a very lucky boy, I've read the first trade the day before the first issue comes out. Which means there's a limit to what I can say before I start ruining surprises. So in the next paragraph I'm going to make some still fairly oblique observations, and drop a quote or two with minimal context, and I'll do my best to be careful, but if you want to go in completely fresh, don't even read that much, OK? Exit on this: Kieron and Stephanie are absolutely not doing an easy cash-in here. This is still an excellent comic, not to mention a visually delightful one. I would say still the Die you know and love, but I suspect by the end we'll be referring to the original series, all its revived trauma and impossible choices notwithstanding, as the early, funny stuff.
So. Without saying exactly who is doing what where, the first key distinction is that Die was a story about giving a bunch of RPG nerds what they wanted, turning the tropes inside out and following a gaggle of insiders desperately trying to game them. This time out, possibly in response to the further increase in wider cultural awareness of the hobby, there's a little more about how it looks to outsiders. And the obvious, responsible way to play that would be to have everyone realising what lovely fun games are, but a) that would be boring and b) this is Die. I was particularly taken with the awed, horrified line "He's researching history, culture, and... It's all for a game? What kind of game could have all of that inside it?"
As for who those outsiders are, well: if Die was partly a response to middle age, Loaded is, appropriately, about the next level of encumbrance: parenthood. Not something where I have the same direct experience, at least not from the parent side, but I've still seen enough people I know make the transition that I can sympathise with the horror of it – the exhaustion, the inability to ever feel you've done enough, the worry about every possible threat from the imminent and drastic to the lurking possibility of one's offspring having the wrong influences and growing up dreadful. And then, curled inside that, the worry of what it says when you've become the exasperated old git muttering about kids these days, and the chill of alienation when young folk look at you and see another uncomprehending adult, despite the fact that surely they should be able to tell you're still young at heart, right? You've still got it?
All of this, of course, could be expressed in plain old realist clothes. But isn't it so much less tiresome, not to mention more faithful to the inward reality of these huge experiences, when you turn it into quests through warped fantasy realms which, if not quite as explicitly doubling as a history of the genre this time, are still dotted with plenty of little nods to make anyone familiar with the territory smile and/or sigh in recognition?
Also, this is the second Gillen comic which has made spotting magpies out and about even more of a minefield than it already was, so thanks for that. And the gods get a bigger role from the off this time out, which is largely a delight, but frankly I'm amazed Stephanie let Kieron get away with the French one.
July 15, 2026
" Mistrust a man who takes games too seriously, it means he doesn't take life seriously enough"
Okaaaay then.
"Shush im a chosen rat in a human suit. Don't tell anyone "
If its Kieron Gillen...its going to be a deep dive experience..so buckle up or take a deep breath.
Okaaaay then.
"Shush im a chosen rat in a human suit. Don't tell anyone "
If its Kieron Gillen...its going to be a deep dive experience..so buckle up or take a deep breath.
September 4, 2026
Die is an open board, so a sequel wouldn't be a surprise. But Gillen and Hans don't repeat the formula; instead, they seek new moves. If I, who am not into RPG, find Die fantastic, just imagine for someone who is a player.
June 29, 2026
Absolutely fantastic, I would expect nothing less from these creators. I was a little worried heading into the 'second season' of Die as it were, thinking that we know already so much about the world and the main party's main challenges resolved, but I couldn't be more wrong. In just a few pages Gillen brings us up to speed, introduces new and returning characters that were previously mentioned in passing that quickly become very important, and kicks off a new terrifying adventure into the world of Die. This time there's a new party, connected in various ways to the original crew, new trauma to work through, and new themes that Gillen and the artists are going to be working with. The writing is stellar as always full of witty lines and sharp twisted turns, and the art is spectacular - there are spreads in this volume that took my breath away or made me giggle with glee. Oh, and the essays at the end are sharply written and insightful - I highly recommend not skipping them. Can't wait for the collected Volume 2!
July 7, 2026
I never thought Die needed a sequel , and when i found out they were making one i was sceptical
but i must say i was very surprised and really enjoyed this new series
it continues a year after the original series with a new cast of characters (all of which are connected to the original cast)
In this series we explore other areas of die, see gods not introduced in the pervious series and have references to the original series.
this first vol which is the first 6 issues is really the "session zero" of a D&D campaign , each issue is the main character (our new narrator) Sophie finding the other players in her adventuring party needed to work together to get home back to the real world.
I still like Die better , but i have hope that now we are past the intro , we can see the new plot and maybe some cameos in the future from old characters.
I look forward to reading more
but i must say i was very surprised and really enjoyed this new series
it continues a year after the original series with a new cast of characters (all of which are connected to the original cast)
In this series we explore other areas of die, see gods not introduced in the pervious series and have references to the original series.
this first vol which is the first 6 issues is really the "session zero" of a D&D campaign , each issue is the main character (our new narrator) Sophie finding the other players in her adventuring party needed to work together to get home back to the real world.
I still like Die better , but i have hope that now we are past the intro , we can see the new plot and maybe some cameos in the future from old characters.
I look forward to reading more
June 2, 2026
This looks like it's probably going to be a great follow up to Die but I'm going to wait until it's done to read the rest.
September 18, 2026
The best sequels are sometimes the ones I never expected or knew I needed. Gillen and Hans jump back into this wonderfully imaginative setting and compelling cast, with friends and family of the original party having stumbled into the world of DIE this time.
That choice gives a fun opportunity to see things thru new eyes, both the game world itself through the mostly non-gamer eyes of their loved ones but also their impressions and experiences with the original cast from new complicated POVs. Each of the six also offers an an ironic or otherwise interesting new take on the six classes.
Beyond how clever and entertaining it all is, I remain impressed with how bold and propulsive Gillen’s plotting is, and how sneakily heart-touching he can be amidst all the heady bits.
"Really, it's easy to make a big decision in a moment, even if the result lasts forever. It's much harder to do a small decision every day."
"Things happen. There's no do-overs, because you're you, and you went through it. This place brings Betty back, but can't bring me back. Even if I don't feel as here as I used to. I'm still here. It happened."
That choice gives a fun opportunity to see things thru new eyes, both the game world itself through the mostly non-gamer eyes of their loved ones but also their impressions and experiences with the original cast from new complicated POVs. Each of the six also offers an an ironic or otherwise interesting new take on the six classes.
Beyond how clever and entertaining it all is, I remain impressed with how bold and propulsive Gillen’s plotting is, and how sneakily heart-touching he can be amidst all the heady bits.
"Really, it's easy to make a big decision in a moment, even if the result lasts forever. It's much harder to do a small decision every day."
"Things happen. There's no do-overs, because you're you, and you went through it. This place brings Betty back, but can't bring me back. Even if I don't feel as here as I used to. I'm still here. It happened."
August 30, 2026
A year after the players return from the game, they come together for Chuck’s memorial service. They are still trying to settle into their real lives, but Die isn’t done yet. Everyone at the service receives a little gift, and Ash’s wife Sophie receives a D12. She suddenly finds herself in the world of Die, trying to figure out what is happening. She needs to find the other five party members so that they can leave, but who else was given a die? And how is each person dealing with their own inner demons here?
An excellent sequel to the dark RPG fantasy-adventure graphic novel. The world-building is excellent, and the characters are all interestingly flawed dealing with their own inner turmoils. It wants to be enough of a standalone that you can read this series by itself, but it’s better if you’ve read the original Die series first. Still really excellent, and I’m curious to find out what happens next.
An excellent sequel to the dark RPG fantasy-adventure graphic novel. The world-building is excellent, and the characters are all interestingly flawed dealing with their own inner turmoils. It wants to be enough of a standalone that you can read this series by itself, but it’s better if you’ve read the original Die series first. Still really excellent, and I’m curious to find out what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I received this DRC from Edelweiss.
3.5 stars. One of my favorite things about the original comic was the artwork, and this volume continues with the same style. The costumes didn't look as elaborate thus far (I remember loving Ash's dresses), so hoping for some costume changes in future volumes. The story so far felt rushed, which made it hard to connect with the characters. There were some interesting plot points that I wish we could have spent a bit more time with. One character in particular has a plan that ends up going by quickly, but could have been much more brutal. But still overall, I'm interested in continuing with the series to see where it's going.
3.5 stars. One of my favorite things about the original comic was the artwork, and this volume continues with the same style. The costumes didn't look as elaborate thus far (I remember loving Ash's dresses), so hoping for some costume changes in future volumes. The story so far felt rushed, which made it hard to connect with the characters. There were some interesting plot points that I wish we could have spent a bit more time with. One character in particular has a plan that ends up going by quickly, but could have been much more brutal. But still overall, I'm interested in continuing with the series to see where it's going.
July 14, 2026
Crazy that I read DIE with a MC who exploring her gender and escapism two years before I came out to myself, and then I read this series that is suffused with motherhood now that I have a toddler. This series is almost spookily resonant with me while diving deep into the meaning behind my favorite type of games <3
Review of advance copy
Ahhh i mean i guess i remember the first run of these. And i must of thought they were okay. I mean i would probably read more of this new series but i wont be looking for it. Its just kinda dull and blah.
Read in single issues
3✨
Read in single issues
3✨
June 8, 2026
Loooooooove coming back to this world.
June 13, 2026
That ending is ballsy. Wow.
July 19, 2026
Wooooow
July 21, 2026
Really didn't think Die needed a sequel, but you know what.... I'm hooked.
August 17, 2026
Five stars for the story and art and would have an extra for the post-issue essays, Kieron Gillen never fails to entice me.
If you read Die and liked it, don't fail to follow up with this.
If you read Die and liked it, don't fail to follow up with this.
September 13, 2026
Just not my style of graphic novel, but if you like rpgs in comic form, this may be for you?
May 16, 2026
Kieron Gillen hurt my feelings with this one.
I'm not a big D&D head (unfortunately) but Gillen makes the concept of tabletop roleplaying so easy to understand and appreciate. I have read the first 20-issue DIE series twice now (within a year actually) and fell in love both times with the world, the characters, and Stephanie Hans' wonderful artwork.
I was super nervous that DIE: Loaded would not deliver because the story was so good and wrapped up so well (minus the teases of future parties entering the world of DIE) but Gillen takes the supporting cast that were (more or less) briefly featured in the OG DIE and gives them a depth I could never have seen coming. The characters that silently guided our first party in DIE are not put right in the middle of the game in Loaded and the cliffhanger on the final page has me fired up for more DIE.
Am I rambling too much? Probably, but this comic is in my top 10 comics (i read too much, otherwise this would be in my top 3 (I'm sorry for my literacy Mr. Gillen)).
I'm not a big D&D head (unfortunately) but Gillen makes the concept of tabletop roleplaying so easy to understand and appreciate. I have read the first 20-issue DIE series twice now (within a year actually) and fell in love both times with the world, the characters, and Stephanie Hans' wonderful artwork.
I was super nervous that DIE: Loaded would not deliver because the story was so good and wrapped up so well (minus the teases of future parties entering the world of DIE) but Gillen takes the supporting cast that were (more or less) briefly featured in the OG DIE and gives them a depth I could never have seen coming. The characters that silently guided our first party in DIE are not put right in the middle of the game in Loaded and the cliffhanger on the final page has me fired up for more DIE.
Am I rambling too much? Probably, but this comic is in my top 10 comics (i read too much, otherwise this would be in my top 3 (I'm sorry for my literacy Mr. Gillen)).
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews