REVIEW: Stranger Things D & D #3

Rating if this Book Were a Movie: PG-13

Writer: Jody Houser and Jim Zub
Artist: Diego Galindo
Colors: Msassyk
Letters: Nate Piekos
Cover: David Michael Beck
Editor: Spencer Cushing
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics and IDW Publishing

“Stranger Things: Dungeons & Dragons” #2 took place in between the first and second seasons of the TV show. We got to see how much D & D and the party meant to Mike. We saw how it created a bond between him and Will. We also got to see how that bond can’t be broken, no matter what happens with the people in the party.

“Stranger Things: Dungeons & Dragons” #3 takes place a few months after Eleven closed the gate. We see that with the additions of Max and Eleven romantic interests have been interfering with pure geekdom. It’s never just the guys anymore. 

In D & D Will has taken over Mike’s role as GM. Mike has gone from GM to paladin. Eleven has created a character that is an elvish magic user. Max has created a character that is a quickling. The guys swore that the party would always stay together; but will the game stay the same? 

Artwork: .75 Stars 

I am still enjoying the throwback to the player’s handbook for D & D from the 80’s for the covers. I would like the interior pages to be more detailed. It doesn’t affect the story though. I liked seeing  Will the Wise in full costume.

Story: 1 Star

This series has done a great job of showing how important D & D was to the party. All through the third season of the show Will just wanted to play the game. It makes so much more sense. Whether they won or lost the game the party was always together. No girls, no Upside Down, no Hawkins Laboratories. Will desperately wants to get back to a time when things made sense.

Dialogue: .75 Stars 

In this issue the dialogue shows us how much Mike has changed. He still thinks the world of his friends; but he values the chance to snog with his girlfriend when the opportunity presents itself. We also get hints that Will the Wise is not Will the Confident. 

Editing: 1 Star 

The lettering in this series continues to be great. We get enough editor’s notes to have all the information we need for the story. There’s nothing in this issue that broke canon or made me question what was happening. 

Mechanics: 1 Star 

“Stranger Things: Dungeons & Dragons”  is not an action story. If you’re looking for that I would suggest finding a different title. This title is a tale of a friendship that has withstood the tests of time and hardship that are endured with coming of age. It continues to hit it out of the park. If you weren’t already a nerd looking at Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Mike as kindred spirits “Stranger Things: Dungeons & Dragons” will make you see your fellow nerds. It will also show you just how loyal to one another they all truly are.