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Erfworld #1
The Battle for Gobwin Knob
The Battle for Gobwin Knob tells the story of obsessive strategy gamer Parson Gotti, who is magically summoned into a gamelike fantasy universe and forced to command an army in an all-too-real war.
172 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Rob Balder
11 books3 followersRob Balder is the author of Erfworld. He is a full-time professional cartoonist, singer/songwriter, game designer and web entrepreneur.
Rob writes and sings comedy songs, and has recorded two CDs. The title track from Rob's first CD, "Rich Fantasy Lives" was co-written with Filk Hall of Famer Tom Smith. It won the Pegasus award for Best Filk Song of 2007. Rob's songs have often been heard on the syndicated Doctor Demento Show. In January 2006, he and six other comedy music performers founded The Funny Music Project.
In addition to Erfworld, Rob is the creator of the clip-art comic strip PartiallyClips, a clip-art comic strip started in 2001, which has appeared in more than two dozen newspapers and magazines. A book collection of the strip, "Suffering for my Clip Art: the Best of PartiallyClips, volume 1," was published in 2005.
He is the Associate Editor of Nth Degree, a popular fanzine covering genre fiction, gaming, comics, fandom and more. He writes science fiction and fantasy, including one unpublished novel and many short stories and poems.
Rob also teamed up with Pete Abrams of the webcomic Sluggy Freelance to create "Get Nifty," a stand-alone card game themed around Pete's comic. Get Nifty debuted in stores in 2006, through Blood & Cardstock Games.
Rob writes and sings comedy songs, and has recorded two CDs. The title track from Rob's first CD, "Rich Fantasy Lives" was co-written with Filk Hall of Famer Tom Smith. It won the Pegasus award for Best Filk Song of 2007. Rob's songs have often been heard on the syndicated Doctor Demento Show. In January 2006, he and six other comedy music performers founded The Funny Music Project.
In addition to Erfworld, Rob is the creator of the clip-art comic strip PartiallyClips, a clip-art comic strip started in 2001, which has appeared in more than two dozen newspapers and magazines. A book collection of the strip, "Suffering for my Clip Art: the Best of PartiallyClips, volume 1," was published in 2005.
He is the Associate Editor of Nth Degree, a popular fanzine covering genre fiction, gaming, comics, fandom and more. He writes science fiction and fantasy, including one unpublished novel and many short stories and poems.
Rob also teamed up with Pete Abrams of the webcomic Sluggy Freelance to create "Get Nifty," a stand-alone card game themed around Pete's comic. Get Nifty debuted in stores in 2006, through Blood & Cardstock Games.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 4, 2012
Parson Gotti (aka Lord Hamster) is called out of his world and into Erfworld (a sort of cutesy version of our world) to command an army and save Gobwin Knob. He's an excellent (and evil) DM on earth and has all kinds of experience he can fall back on - once he learns the Erfworld system. But he may not have time. Also, it doesn't help that his supreme commander, Lord Stanley, keeps getting in the way of their success. Cute creatures (omigod, one of the warlords rides on a flying Peep!), inside jokes, and lots of puns (I can no longer pronounce my 'r's) make this a fun read. Clever and amusing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2017
Un comic interesantísimo si gustan del RPG o el TBS. Complejos planteos estratégicos, personajes entrañables y un constante pensar fuera de la caja hacen que sea un buen page turner para ir descubriendo las posibilidades de un universo ajeno junto a Lord Hamster y entender un poco más cómo romper el juego (y con él un poco el mundo).
August 8, 2023
A really exciting read, the author managed to portray memorable characters (aka: fun, credible and consistent). The artstyle is a good fit for the world and for a table top strategy game. The game itself and the world seems inspired in comparison to what I read in most fantasy.
I really liked it, and recommend it to anyone that likes strategy games.
I really liked it, and recommend it to anyone that likes strategy games.
October 29, 2019
A fantastic start to a mediocre comic that unfortunately after tragedy after tragedy has killed the comic for good.
January 26, 2013
I read comic books when I was younger. When I have seen Graphic Novels offered in most of my dealer’s shops, I have passed over them, thinking they were “comic books on steroids.” My son, having lived with me since his, birth, knows at least two things about me: 1) I like (as a fish “likes” water) to read and 2) helping others achieve their goals, when we can, is an important part of being in community. He helped support the author and illustrator to publish this book (by donating to their Kickstarter campaign) and for his investment he was sent a copy of this graphic novel. Not only did my son experience the joy of helping another reach a goal, he delighted his Dad by making this beautiful book a Christmas gift. As a result, I have a treasure of a rare book and the pleasure of discovering a new genre of literature.
The book begins mid-siege of Gobwin Knob. The reader who is unfamiliar with “turn-based strategy games” (which would include me) could feel as if he/she has entered in the middle of a foreign language film at this point. The action, language and plot were confusing, as is not that unusual in the opening of many “action” novels. There was clarity given when I reached the “present time” when Parson Gotti, Game Master, is describing the new game he has created to three fellow game players. As he is describing the game, rules, setting, etc. he is interrupted by a “POOF!” and finds himself transported into the Gobwin Knob siege by a Croakamancer (named Wanda, I loved the character names in this work) spell. Once there, he learns he was summoned because of his abilities as a “warrior.” This is a talent of which he was unaware, having only been a “warrior” while playing “strategy-based, turn games.” As it turns out, this is just the training he needs to help Stanley the Plaid defend his homeland.
The plot is much more involved than I had expected when I initially thought of in this kind of literature. The characters are well-defined and interesting (with catchy names), the topography of the land in which the story is set IS “comic book-esque,” as is the violence (lots of places where “Splat,” “ka-BAM,” “POOF” and “smoosch” are used to highlight the action. The land in which War Chief Parson’s finds himself is self-censoring, any expletive is translated into “boop” (with one notable exception). This is a book best understood by adults or adolescents who are familiar with its premise. Children may be traumatized by the animals that are “harmed” during the battle scenes. There are moments of inconsistencies which are due to the nature of how the comic is created; the story develops as it is written and drawn and what was apparent early, appear to be misremembered later in the tale.
I am lead to understand this is but the first gathering of the many stories of Gobwin Knob into one volume. The next such gathering is in the works. Much of the dialogue of that work is included in the extensive appendices after the illustrated story is completed.
This book will be treasured by me, not just for the story it holds, but how it came into my possession.
The book begins mid-siege of Gobwin Knob. The reader who is unfamiliar with “turn-based strategy games” (which would include me) could feel as if he/she has entered in the middle of a foreign language film at this point. The action, language and plot were confusing, as is not that unusual in the opening of many “action” novels. There was clarity given when I reached the “present time” when Parson Gotti, Game Master, is describing the new game he has created to three fellow game players. As he is describing the game, rules, setting, etc. he is interrupted by a “POOF!” and finds himself transported into the Gobwin Knob siege by a Croakamancer (named Wanda, I loved the character names in this work) spell. Once there, he learns he was summoned because of his abilities as a “warrior.” This is a talent of which he was unaware, having only been a “warrior” while playing “strategy-based, turn games.” As it turns out, this is just the training he needs to help Stanley the Plaid defend his homeland.
The plot is much more involved than I had expected when I initially thought of in this kind of literature. The characters are well-defined and interesting (with catchy names), the topography of the land in which the story is set IS “comic book-esque,” as is the violence (lots of places where “Splat,” “ka-BAM,” “POOF” and “smoosch” are used to highlight the action. The land in which War Chief Parson’s finds himself is self-censoring, any expletive is translated into “boop” (with one notable exception). This is a book best understood by adults or adolescents who are familiar with its premise. Children may be traumatized by the animals that are “harmed” during the battle scenes. There are moments of inconsistencies which are due to the nature of how the comic is created; the story develops as it is written and drawn and what was apparent early, appear to be misremembered later in the tale.
I am lead to understand this is but the first gathering of the many stories of Gobwin Knob into one volume. The next such gathering is in the works. Much of the dialogue of that work is included in the extensive appendices after the illustrated story is completed.
This book will be treasured by me, not just for the story it holds, but how it came into my possession.
August 2, 2012
Book 1 collects strips #1-163 of the webcomic Erfworld.
Erfworld is a fantasy universe that an obsessive roleplaying gamer is summoned to in order to provide strategic advice to an army down to their last stronghold. If that makes it sound overly serious in tone I apologize, as most of the time it's anything but. The humor takes some time to get used to - everything in Erfworld is heavy with parody and ridiculousness. But that's where a lot of the genius comes in. The forth wall is twisted and the inhabitants of Erfworld are aware of the rules they exist by. Troops are governed by their movements, attack, etc stats and openly discuss strategy, command and goals in these terms. It provides the reader an interesting way to follow developments, plots and battle sequences and gives the kidnapped gamer, Parson Gotti, a point of reference and a "system" to try to exploit.
The Battle for Gobwin Knob follows both sides of the conflict, as well as opportunistic neutral parties, suspected traitors, and various forces with their own motivations. It's a well layered tale that balances levity from the absurd with some of the real effects and choices of commanding living (and undead) creatures in battle. Looking forward to reading more.
Erfworld is a fantasy universe that an obsessive roleplaying gamer is summoned to in order to provide strategic advice to an army down to their last stronghold. If that makes it sound overly serious in tone I apologize, as most of the time it's anything but. The humor takes some time to get used to - everything in Erfworld is heavy with parody and ridiculousness. But that's where a lot of the genius comes in. The forth wall is twisted and the inhabitants of Erfworld are aware of the rules they exist by. Troops are governed by their movements, attack, etc stats and openly discuss strategy, command and goals in these terms. It provides the reader an interesting way to follow developments, plots and battle sequences and gives the kidnapped gamer, Parson Gotti, a point of reference and a "system" to try to exploit.
The Battle for Gobwin Knob follows both sides of the conflict, as well as opportunistic neutral parties, suspected traitors, and various forces with their own motivations. It's a well layered tale that balances levity from the absurd with some of the real effects and choices of commanding living (and undead) creatures in battle. Looking forward to reading more.
June 7, 2011
OK print edition of a great web comic serial.
June 24, 2013
Absolutely awesome, deep and delicious. I found it very easy to become obsessed with Erfworld. I'd give it a 6 if I could.
May 4, 2016
Fabulous. I read it online. So good.
February 3, 2019
(This review covers the entire series. The pictures contain mild spoilers for later books if you read them closely.)
This might be my second-favorite ongoing story, right behind the Parahumans saga. Erfworld sits at the intersection of "funny", "cute", "epic", "literary", and "really damn good". The simple trick of including written sections amidst the panels gives enormous depth to the world and characters, especially when the story moves into "illustrated novel" territory:
All four of the features I mentioned above are key. The cuteness of the world lets the author get away with some really heavy material without breaking the story's pleasant flow, and the intricate plotting + Easter Egg hunts never drag, thanks to Erfworld's comedic brilliance. I could spend pages just gushing about puns and sound effects, but I'll stick to this single tantalizing panel:
And of course, it's free, so give it a try! In case the first few pages put you off: The art gets a lot better by the second book.
This might be my second-favorite ongoing story, right behind the Parahumans saga. Erfworld sits at the intersection of "funny", "cute", "epic", "literary", and "really damn good". The simple trick of including written sections amidst the panels gives enormous depth to the world and characters, especially when the story moves into "illustrated novel" territory:
All four of the features I mentioned above are key. The cuteness of the world lets the author get away with some really heavy material without breaking the story's pleasant flow, and the intricate plotting + Easter Egg hunts never drag, thanks to Erfworld's comedic brilliance. I could spend pages just gushing about puns and sound effects, but I'll stick to this single tantalizing panel:
And of course, it's free, so give it a try! In case the first few pages put you off: The art gets a lot better by the second book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews