Dungeon: Vol.1 Duck Heart - Mobile Edition

European Comics
Dungeon: Vol.1 Duck Heart
By Hervé St-Louis
December 17, 2004 - 08:52

NBM Publishing
Delcourt
Writer(s): Joann Sfar
Penciller(s): Lewis Trondheim
Inker(s): Lewis Trondheim
Cover Artist(s): Lewis Trondheim
ISBN: 978-1561634019

Dungeon is the first volume of a series originally published by Delcourt, a French publisher. It’s the story of a duck becoming the champion of a dungeon filled with heroes, monsters, bandits and more exotic and nightmarish creatures. Herbert the Timorous Duck, must overcome his fears and rise to the task. Hopefully, Marvin the Dragon is by his side helping him through the mess.

The story is unpretentious and easy to read. It’s also very funny and often philosophical without being heavy or snobbish. The characters are very down to Earth and although this is a story dealing with monsters, a 10-year-old would really enjoy himself with this book. Herbert is a better duck than we expected. This story reads a lot like The Lords of the Ring.

Trondheim is known in Europe for his curt yet effective work and storytelling. Here, we see the same economy of lines and design work in the comic book’s favour. The character’s and the background designs are not complicated, yet, they are fun. It feels a lot like reading a polished version of Groo. Trondheim proves that one does not need a popular style to be a master artist.