Review – Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons: Rise of Hellfire #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

February 18, 2025

2–3 minutes

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer(s): Jody Houser, Eric Campbell
Artist: Diego Galindo
Colorist: Diana Sousa
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Release Date: 19th February 2025

The worlds of Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons have been inextricably linked since the very first episode of the smash hit Netflix show aired way back in 2016. And with the news that Stranger Things’ executive producer Shawn Levy is currently working on a live action ‘Forgotten Realms’ Dungeons & Dragons TV show, this seems like the perfect time to bring those two worlds together in the pages of Dark Horse Comics’ latest comic book series.

‘Rise of Hellfire’ sees co-writers Jody Houser and Eric Campbell delivering a compelling dual-narrative tale, with one storyline set back in 1978, featuring a young Eddie Munson getting his first taste of D&D, and the other in 1985 as Eddie recruits Dustin, Mike and Lucas into the Hellfire Club. It’s safe to say that Munson (as played by Joseph Quinn) became an emphatic fan favourite character on the show, so getting a chance to delve a little deeper into his ‘origin story’ is likely to appeal to any and all Stranger Things fans.

It’s clear that both Houser and Campbell have a passion for both of the source materials they’re pulling from, and while the story itself is enjoyable enough in this first issue, it feels like they’re holding back just a little for the time being. There’s nothing particularly new or unexpected here, with the writers laying out Munson’s already-established character traits without giving us too much in the way to additional insight or info. That said, the five-page sequence where Eddie and his friend Ronnie play their first game of Dungeons & Dragons is an absolute delight, and perfectly captures the joy of “the world’s greatest roleplaying game” and feels utterly believable as a hook that would utterly enrapture the two youngsters.

On the visual side of things, Diego Galindo does a serviceable job with the artwork, utilising a stripped-back style which favours expression over unnecessary detail. Everything flows smoothly enough, but much like the writing, the artwork only really cuts loose during the aforementioned D&D sequence, which gives the Spanish artist the opportunity to really show his stuff, embracing the cinematic fantasy as Eddie (as “Relgar the half-orc Barbarian”) bravely sticks up for the vulnerable Ronnie (as “Gildia the halfling rogue”). Brilliant stuff, particularly with the strong colour work of Diana Sousa.

If you’re a Stranger Things fan then this is most certainly worth a look, although I’m hoping for a little more Dungeons & Dragons and a little less Stranger Things as this series unfolds. Don’t get me wrong, the creative team do a solid job with what they’re given, but with the stories of the inhabitants of Hawkins, Indiana pretty much written, there’s unlikely to be any real surprises along the way. However, when it comes to the Hellfire Club and the adventures they go on together, there’s a ton of opportunities for some really great sequences and powerful character moments. A solid start then, and I’m definitely sticking around to see where this series goes next.

Rating: 3.5/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]