Dungeon Twilight: Volume 1: Dragon Cemetery

European Comics
Dungeon Twilight: Volume 1: Dragon Cemetery
By Hervé St-Louis
April 15, 2006 - 15:55

NBM Publishing
(Originally Published by Delcourt)
Writer(s): Lewis Trondheim
Penciller(s): Joann Sfar
Inker(s): Joann Sfar
Cover Artist(s): Joann Sfar

(Originally published as Donjon Crépuscule: Le Cimetière des dragons, Le Volcan des Vaucanson)

It’s years later and Marvin the dragon is ready to die, after being forcefully retired by his old friend Herbert the Duck. With the help of a little bat and a rabbit named after him Marvin will search for the hidden dragon’s cemetery where he can finally die. However, there are lots of ambushes on his way from all those who seek to pillage the dragons’ cemetery, once Marvin takes them there.

This story is another incredibly funny and mature look at the world of Dungeon. Trondheim continues to imbue his characters with a quiet and serene intelligence that makes them see things for what they are. There are fewer twists than in previous stories but it does not make this volume less interesting. There are lots of secondary degree hints like having a bat guide a blind creature. Bats can see in the dark, including the darkness of blind men.

As usual, the artwork will fool anyone that this story is intended for little kids. It’s not. There is much violence in the chopped barbarians and warriors who fight Marvin and his crew. The artwork is simple yet the storytelling is clear and appealing. If you haven’t started reading Dungeon, now’s the time to start. It really is one of the best comic book series around.