If you don’t like goblins then you’re not looking at the right ones. They come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. My personal favorite is the dumb yet ambitious kind: Does Dynamite Entertainment have just the book for me? Is it good?
PATHFINDER: GOBLINS! #2 (OF 5) (Dynamite Entertainment)
Even though this is marked as issue #2 fear not folks, because it’s really just two stories with a beginning, middle and end. The first is written by Charles Soule about two Longlung goblins (they can hold their breath really well, hence the name) who seek treasure from a well-guarded vessel controlled by humans.
The second story is written by James Sutter and focuses on a folk tale about a “magic pig.” Both stories have a sense of humor, but also show the deep conniving nature of the goblins. They’re sort of gremlin looking, but bigger and with much more going for them in the brains department. They both also have twist endings, which don’t always end so well.
Fun fact: “Squid to the mouth” was a close second to Skyrim’s arrow to the knee.
Soule has a good grasp of the idiocy of the goblins, right down to their bad grammar and funny way of thinking. I honestly chuckled a couple times while reading this, and while the ending wasn’t the most surprising, it suited the story. I also love the idea of different types of goblins, these being the seafaring kind.
What gorgeous depth.
The success of the first story largely goes to artist Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque who also did the covers. He renders the goblins in vivid detail, with excellent detail from the waves to the floorboards. Without his skill I’m not sure the story would be pulled off, partly because some of the gags are visual, but also because everything is much more believable when rendered so well.
Beaky should get a prequel. I want to know how this dude got stuck eating goblins.
The second story is a lot of fun and perfectly captures the craziness that a good fantasy tale can reach. Sutter has a goblin tell a fairy tale of a magic pig and the exploits that follow when the chief claims he’s acquired the pig’s powers. It sounds much more ludicrous than the story is, but that’s because the story is actually about some goblins who stumble on some magic from a traveller. The hijinks loop back around to the pig, but to see goblins messing around with magic wands and capes is a sight to see.
Once again the art is great, done here by Sean Izaakse, and suits the story quite well. While the first story had a cartoony feel, this second story has the lighting and layout of how a fairy tale should go. Like a storybook, the panels are laid out evenly and always centered. There’s nothing too flashy about it, but the detail in the characters is vivid and clear.
Waterworld meets goblins!
8.5
- Look mah, it looks great!
- Goblins are dumb, fun and wild little dudes!
- The first story, while entertaining, feels somehow empty
This comic is a lot of fun. Both stories are entertaining and worth a look with incredibly well rendered art. I’d say the first story doesn’t have quite as much impact as the shorter second story, but if you like fantasy, fairy tales, or an all around good goblin time take a peek at this one.
Is It Good?
Yes, going in blind I enjoyed this goblin ride.
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