Fan-favourite I Hate Fairyland artist Brett Bean has launched his new epic comic D’ORC, and it’s a brilliantly witty and whimsical fantasy adventure. What’s in store for the future of the series? Bean has laid out the story through issue #20 — and it’s entirely possible that D’ORC could continue beyond that.
Published by Image Comics, D’Orc #1 is a whimsical, laugh-out-loud fantasy about an orphaned half-dwarf, half-orc, wielding an ambitiously violent sentient shield, caught in the middle of a never-ending war between the Light and Dark. Writer and illustrator Brett Bean takes you inside a satirical high-fantasy world that’s brilliantly absurd and hilariously brutal.
D’Orc sets a simple premise; this isn’t your sprawling, multi-faceted fantasy, and that’s fine. We follow a half dwarf, half orc, better known as D’Orc, who’s the one prophesied to end the world, ultimately bringing an end to the never-ending squabbles between the Light and the Dark.
Issue #1 sets up the story excellently, not only introducing us to our protagonist, but also his trusty wise-cracking enchanted shield. You can read our review here. In this article, we’re focusing on what lies ahead for the future of D’ORC. First and foremost, Brett Bean has an ending in mind, and he’s already got the general story mapped out. “I have story ideas through issue 20. I have big plot points I want to hit, yes. I know how it ‘ends’ but as you write, things change and characters begin to write themselves, so who knows. Other characters are waiting to join the story as well,” he said in an exclusive interview with Comics Bulletin.
What’s more, he reveals that the enchanted shield — an instant standout fan-favorite — will get more of a backstory. Right now, the shield remains pretty eclectic and more of a comic relief than anything else. An origin story is coming. “Yes, it will happen,” Bean confirmed. “It will all weave in and out of the story I have planned.”
As for what’s in the pipeline for spinoff projects, he’d like to see other artists lend their expertise to the world he has created. There’s one character in particular that he would love to see from the perspective of other creators. “I love chicken so much,” he said. “I can expand the universe, hire another artist and let them run with the character and make a Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead type of situation. Basically, from Chicken’s point of view as he goes off to explore the world of Sunderaine. Get more lore from his storyline, but from a very different perspective.”
Clearly D’ORC and the world of Sunderine are here to stay. And we’re here for it.
D’ORC #1 is out now from Image Comics.
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