Dungeons & Dragons #1 Launches a New Dark Horse Ongoing Series This November

Dungeons & Dragons #1 is bringing the Forgotten Realms back to comic shops in a major new ongoing series from Dark Horse Comics, Hasbro, and Wizards of the Coast.

Launching on November 4, 2026, the new series follows the legendary Mad Mage Mordenkainen as he gathers some of Faerûn’s most iconic heroes for a sweeping fantasy epic packed with dragons, magic, world-ending danger, and exclusive single-issue bonus material for tabletop fans.

The series is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, penciled by Ibraim Roberson, inked by Arabson Oliveira, colored by Dan Brown, and lettered by Haley-Rose Lyon. For readers who follow fantasy comics, gaming adaptations, and licensed storytelling, this looks like one of Dark Horse’s biggest tabletop launches of the year.

Fans can follow more publisher updates through Dark Horse Comics, and Comic Book Addicts readers can also catch up on our previous D&D coverage with Dungeons & Dragons: Total Party Killers and more from our Dark Horse Comics archive.

Mordenkainen Faces a Draconic Apocalypse

The premise immediately raises the stakes.

A draconic apocalypse is coming for the Forgotten Realms, and one name sits at the center of the coming disaster: Mordenkainen. Once one of the most powerful wizards in reality, Mordenkainen has been stripped of his magic. But even without his full arcane power, he is far from finished.

To restore balance, he must assemble a team of Faerûn’s most legendary heroes, including Volo, Tasha, and other fan-favorite adventurers. That setup gives Dungeons & Dragons #1 the feel of a major campaign kickoff, with world-shaking stakes and a party built from some of the most recognizable names in D&D lore.

This is not being positioned as a one-off fantasy side quest. Dark Horse is presenting this as a new flagship ongoing series, and the creative team is clearly aiming for a story that can appeal to both longtime Forgotten Realms players and readers stepping into D&D comics for the first time.

A Creative Team Built for Big Fantasy

Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly have made their mark across high-profile comics and genre storytelling, including work on Star Trek: The Last Starship, Captain America, and NYX. Here, they are leaning fully into the collaborative, character-driven heart of Dungeons & Dragons.

Their comments frame the series as a true passion project. Kelly describes D&D as a game built around collaboration, creativity, trust, and character pain. Lanzing positions the book as a full-scale fantasy mystery reaching back to the earliest roots of D&D itself.

That matters because the best Dungeons & Dragons stories are not just about monsters and spells. They are about the party. They are about choices. They are about what happens when impossible odds force wildly different people into the same dangerous room.

With Ibraim Roberson on pencils, Arabson Oliveira on inks, Dan Brown on colors, and Haley-Rose Lyon on letters, the book has a team suited for both large-scale action and character-focused fantasy drama. Based on the cover art and premise, readers should expect towering dragons, arcane spectacle, and a strong sense of danger from the opening issue.

Exclusive Backmatter for D&D Players

One of the most interesting parts of this launch is the bonus content.

Each single issue of Dungeons & Dragons will include exclusive backmatter such as essays from RPG personalities or game assets for D&D campaigns. That gives the series an added value beyond the main story and makes the monthly comic feel connected to the tabletop experience.

For issue #1, Erika Ishii, voice actor and live-play talent known for Dimension 20, will contribute an essay to the backmatter.

That is a smart move. D&D is more than a setting; it is a community, a play style, and a shared storytelling engine. Including essays and campaign material gives the comic a stronger bridge between readers, players, Dungeon Masters, and collectors.

Variant Covers for Dungeons & Dragons #1

Dungeons & Dragons #1 will launch with a strong lineup of covers, including work by major fantasy and comics artists.

The first issue features cover art from:

Esad Ribić
Tyler Jacobson
Antonio José Manzanedo
Karen Darboe
Mateus Manhanini
Eric Canete

The cover lineup gives the debut a strong collector angle, especially for readers who follow D&D key art, fantasy illustration, and Dark Horse licensed releases. The issue will retail for $4.99 and is available for preorder through local comic shops.

Why This Launch Matters

Dungeons & Dragons has had a massive pop-culture presence across tabletop gaming, streaming, novels, video games, film, and comics. A new ongoing series from Dark Horse gives the franchise another major storytelling lane, especially with the Forgotten Realms serving as the foundation.

The presence of Mordenkainen, Tasha, and Volo signals that this series is not avoiding the deep lore. At the same time, the creative team’s comments suggest that accessibility is a major goal. Lanzing specifically frames the book for both new readers and longtime players.

That balance is key. A successful D&D comic needs to reward lore fans without locking out new adventurers. Dungeons & Dragons #1 appears built to do exactly that: big fantasy, recognizable icons, fresh danger, and campaign-style momentum.

Final Thoughts

Dungeons & Dragons #1 looks like a major fantasy launch for Dark Horse Comics and Wizards of the Coast. With Mordenkainen at the center of a draconic apocalypse, a legendary party forming across Faerûn, and exclusive RPG-focused backmatter in each single issue, this new ongoing series has the potential to become a must-read for both comic fans and tabletop players.

For longtime D&D fans, the hook is clear: legendary characters, high-stakes magic, and a story that reaches deep into the Forgotten Realms.

For new readers, this could be a strong entry point into the world of Dungeons & Dragons comics.

The adventure begins when Dungeons & Dragons #1 arrives in comic shops on November 4, 2026.

Comic Details

Title: Dungeons & Dragons #1
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
In Partnership With: Hasbro / Wizards of the Coast
Writers: Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly
Penciler: Ibraim Roberson
Inker: Arabson Oliveira
Colorist: Dan Brown
Letterer: Haley-Rose Lyon
Backmatter Essay: Erika Ishii
Price: $4.99
On Sale Date: November 4, 2026