Brett Bean’s epic fantasy D’ORC is taking over the comics world, now on its unprecedented fifth reprint of issue #1 after debuting back in February 2026. What is D’ORC all about, any why are readers so excited?
Published by Image Comics, D’ORC is created by fan-favorite writer and illustrator Brett Bean, who’s best known for his on Skottie Young’s I Hate Fairyland. D’ORC 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. In our review, we hailed the series as another gem.
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.
The official synopsis for D’ORC reads: Armed with nothing but a magical yet ambitiously violent shield, a lonely orphan stumbles headfirst into Sunderaine’s never-ending war between the Light and Dark. Elves vs. Orcs. Wizards vs. Common Sense. Dragons vs. Literally Everyone. And caught dead-center? D’ORC. With a wholly inconvenient doomsday prophecy, the half dwarf, half orc—all D’ORC—is fated to end the world. Soon, every human, elf, goblin, dwarf, Snargletooth, Necroid, Ice Giant, Trauma Llama, and at least three other unpronounceable magical creatures, will know his name and want him dead. There will also be a chicken.
“The original spark, believe it or not, was life,” creator Brett Bean told us in our exclusive interview. “I’ve kind of always been the guy to sit in between factions from middle school onwards. My extreme narrow focused parents to liberal minded friends and other family members, I was able to get through high school sitting between jocks and nerds, the in crowds and the outcasts. Even through college I bridged the gaps between groups and never saw myself in any crowd and that made me feel individual and alone as well as familiar with opportunity to interact with lots of personalities. It grew from that spark in direction.”
“D’orc is fiercely loyal, good natured most days, but also knows a level of anger that brews inside that frightens himself when it comes out I think a lot of people can feel that way,” Bean added. “The awakening of self as you enter a bigger world that is ready to devour you.”
D’ORC smashes sales, meriting a fifth reprint
D’ORC reaches a wide and dedicated audience: it’s ideal for fans of Conan the Barbarian, The Lord of the Rings, and, of course, I Hate Fairyland’s deadpan humor. The latter of which Bean made a name for himself as a series artist.
The series has already been a smash-hit in its demographic, with readers flocking to stores to pick up the latest issues. In fact, due to exceptionally high demand, Image Comics has granted issue #1 a fifth printing, hitting comic stores in May. Additionally, issue #2 has its third printing in May as well.
The series is still young, and Bean has big plans for its future. “I have story ideas through issue 20,” he said. “I have big plot points I want to hit. 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.”
D’ORC #1-5 will be collected into a trade paperback volume, releasing July 29, 2026.
Have you been reading D’ORC? Give us all your thoughts on the series in the comments down below!
Disclaimer: Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
