Greg Pak's New D&D Comic: The Fallbacks Challenges Fantasy Tropes

Greg Pak, a renowned comic book writer, is venturing into the world of Dungeons & Dragons with his latest creation, \"Dungeons & Dragons: The Fallbacks.\" This new series, published by Dark Horse, draws heavily from Pak's personal experiences with the iconic tabletop role-playing game, aiming to capture its inherent unpredictability and dynamic storytelling. The narrative introduces a unique band of adventurers who challenge conventional fantasy tropes and question established power structures within their fictional realm. This comic offers a fresh perspective on the D&D universe, inviting readers to reconsider traditional notions of heroism and morality.

The comic delves into deeper themes beyond mere adventure, exploring how authority figures define heroes versus how those at the bottom perceive them. Pak's work encourages readers to critically examine the narratives presented in fantasy, moving beyond simplistic good-versus-evil dichotomies. The series distinguishes itself by presenting a group of protagonists who, despite being outmatched and unconventional, bravely confront injustice and established biases. This approach ensures that \"The Fallbacks\" is not just an exciting read but also a thought-provoking one, resonant with the spirit of collaborative storytelling found in actual D&D campaigns.

The Genesis of 'The Fallbacks' Comic Series

Greg Pak, a celebrated comic book author, revisits his long-standing connection with Dungeons & Dragons, bringing his rich experience from titles like 'Planet Hulk' and 'Batman/Superman' to a new Dark Horse comic series, 'Dungeons & Dragons: The Fallbacks'. This project is deeply rooted in Pak's personal D&D sessions, which he resumed in 2019 alongside friends and their children. His own game experiences, particularly moments of chaotic defiance against overwhelming odds, serve as the primary inspiration for the comic's narrative style, promising a storyline where anything can happen, much like in a real D&D campaign. This connection to authentic gameplay imbues 'The Fallbacks' with a genuine spirit of adventure and unpredictability.

Pak's vision for 'The Fallbacks' is to translate the spontaneous and often surprising nature of tabletop D&D into a comic book format. He recounts an instance in his own game where his low-level, chaotic good half-orc fighter impulsively initiated a conflict against formidable adversaries due to pure frustration, an experience he hopes to echo in the comics. The series aims to break away from formulaic fantasy storytelling by presenting characters who are not always "playing it smart" but are driven by their convictions and the chaotic spirit of adventure. This approach, combined with his prior work on 'Stranger Things' comics that heavily featured D&D, positions Pak to deliver a series that resonates with both seasoned D&D players and newcomers, offering a fresh, dynamic, and genuinely unpredictable fantasy experience.

Challenging Conventional Heroism and Fantasy Stereotypes

'The Fallbacks' introduces an unconventional group of protagonists led by the rogue Tessalynde Haldendria, mirroring the reluctant leadership style of Marvel's Wolverine. This ensemble includes characters like the pragmatic cleric Baldric Goodhard, who bargains with divinities rather than worshipping them, and a semi-domesticated otyugh named Uggie. This diverse and low-level party deliberately defies typical hero archetypes. The narrative immediately plunges them into conflict with city guards over their refusal to confront kobolds stealing food, setting up a clash not just with antagonists, but with established societal norms and prejudices prevalent in many fantasy settings. This setup allows the series to explore deeper questions about who truly constitutes a hero and what drives their actions.

Central to Pak's narrative is a critique of entrenched fantasy stereotypes, particularly the tendency to label entire races as inherently good or evil. He challenges the simplistic view that all dwarves are greedy or all orcs are malevolent, drawing on his childhood memories of automatically attacking goblins in D&D without questioning their motivations. In 'The Fallbacks', this critical perspective is highlighted through the heroes' refusal to demonize kobolds, contrasting sharply with a rival adventuring party that adheres to traditional, prejudiced views. By portraying the Fallbacks as a group that questions authority and challenges established biases, Pak aims to create a more nuanced and thought-provoking fantasy world, reflecting the complexities of real-world morality and encouraging readers to look beyond superficial classifications of good and evil.