Minsc is still “Butt-kicking for goodness!” In the latest Legends of Baldur’s Gate. He still thinks he is traveling with Neera, which is fine with Denila, who needs all the help she can get and isn’t about to contradict her best ally. The pair are now joined by a pair of thieves who figure anyone trying to get away from the guards is a potential ally—or customer. There are plots, counterplots, and some double-crossing going on as the plot progresses.
For a Baldur’s Gate player, this is a fine, nostalgic comic. Moving the setting forward in time allows Jim Zub to take the character everyone loves and send him adventuring without worrying about what choices the player made in-game. People who have not played the game should be able to jump right in to the story; everyone has to be introduced to everyone else, anyway, and this is an entirely new adventure. Zub and artist Max Dunbar have created a fine, crowded Baldur’s Gate, with divisions between sections, and a Dungeons and Dragons cast of characters and types. It looks, too, as though another favorite from the first game might be making an appearance in the next issue.
It looks like “Wild magic did it” will be the only explanation offered for Minsc’s sudden appearance. Given the setting, it is fair enough. I wonder if a statue materialized back wherever and whenever he was when Delina’s spell caught him? That is probably even more confusing than the sudden appearance of the ranger himself.
Dunbar has created an exuberant fantasy city, full of cobbled streets, looming houses, underground passages and all the fittings necessary for a good bout of adventuring. There are some good angles on the streets and houses, too, though the streets do seem unusually clean.
Legends of Baldur’s Gate remains an enjoyable read for those who enjoy the Dungeons and Dragons setting and adventures.
Legends of Baldur’s Gate #2 is out November 19, 2014 from IDW.
Writer: Jim Zub
Artist: Max Dunbar
Colors: John-Paul Bove & Joana Lafuente
Letters: Neil Uyetake
