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Raiders
From Daniel Freedman ( Undying Love ) and CROM ( Golden Campaign ), comes an original graphic novel about family, freedom, and killing monsters for loot.
Marken and Maron, inseparable brothers, are dungeon raiders in a land ruled by corrupt royals and filled with fantastic dangers around every turn. But just as Marken decides that it's time to give up the raiding life, both brothers find themselves at the wrong end of the powers that be and stumble upon a secret that may unravel the entire political system.
Marken and Maron, inseparable brothers, are dungeon raiders in a land ruled by corrupt royals and filled with fantastic dangers around every turn. But just as Marken decides that it's time to give up the raiding life, both brothers find themselves at the wrong end of the powers that be and stumble upon a secret that may unravel the entire political system.
136 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 28, 2020
A nihilistic and brutal Dungeons & Dragons. This seemed very derivative of Head Lopper, particularly the art. CROM's flat art and pastel colors work most of the time. The difference here is the action sequences. In Head Lopper they flow smoothly from panel to panel, wordlessly describing the action. In Raiders, they seem like a random series of images plopped onto the page telling no story whatsoever.
Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
June 24, 2020
To start out horribly reductive, Raiders' art and flat, pastel-y colouring remind me of Head Lopper, and the story itself reminds me of Game of Thrones.
It's a classic "violence begets violence" tale, with shocking deaths and quite some gore. There's revenge that just leads to nihilistic death, but also feels unavoidable.
Crom's art is terriffic, and his (very violent) action scenes are easy to follow. When I compare his work to Andrew MacLean's, it's partly meant as a compliment, but it also feels like the book is constantly haunted by it - Head Lopper does a better job of worldbuilding and tells better stories.
That said, Raiders' story is quite effective, just not very original, and the characters feel quite flat.
The last quarter of the book are sketches, bits of script and designs. I generally can take or leave these kind of extras, they do feel a bit like filler (I think the only extras I have liked are in Mike Mignola's Hellboy/BPRD books).
Not a bad book by any means - come for the art, don't expect too much from the story.
(Kindly received a review copy from Dark Horse Books through Edelweiss)
It's a classic "violence begets violence" tale, with shocking deaths and quite some gore. There's revenge that just leads to nihilistic death, but also feels unavoidable.
Crom's art is terriffic, and his (very violent) action scenes are easy to follow. When I compare his work to Andrew MacLean's, it's partly meant as a compliment, but it also feels like the book is constantly haunted by it - Head Lopper does a better job of worldbuilding and tells better stories.
That said, Raiders' story is quite effective, just not very original, and the characters feel quite flat.
The last quarter of the book are sketches, bits of script and designs. I generally can take or leave these kind of extras, they do feel a bit like filler (I think the only extras I have liked are in Mike Mignola's Hellboy/BPRD books).
Not a bad book by any means - come for the art, don't expect too much from the story.
(Kindly received a review copy from Dark Horse Books through Edelweiss)
May 14, 2020
A very good swords & sorcery story that's short, bittersweet, and to the point. (Sword pun!)
November 28, 2021
I hated the tragic sad ending, this ending of this graphic novel book made me cry & heartbreak more than any time I have had cried in my life( I cry a lot especially to emotional & very very emotional things a lot of times easily).
Marken & Ally with their upcoming child or children babies(it or they haven't had been born yet) deserved better even Marken's Little Young Brother Maron & Maron Short Lived Young Female Friend & Partner called Lisette(whom I also like very very much).
I love the good guys characters only such Marken who is by far totally my favorite, Ally Marken's Pregnant Wife, Maron & Lisette.
I wish this story which is entertaining, emotional, tragic, dramatic grimdark, bloody & gory, cruel, heartbreaking & heartwarming meaningful, hack & slash, dark & gritty creepy fantasy drama table about the 2 brothers misfits monster slayers(mercenaries, treasure hunters & thieves) with the wonderful characters & art style & atmosphere & vibe to it(this graphic novel book) to last longer & even have a much more fitting happy or emotional bittersweet ending whic is less tragic or terrible & horribly melancholic & sorrowful.
I like the art style, the character designs & illustrations, the whole dark, emotional,
sad, grimm, colorful & surreal obscure & peculiar atmosphere, vibe, emotions & feelings to this book, the artwork, it's characters, the action/battle scenes & it's story.
Overall I like & have myself entertained but heavily cried for many hours all because of this ending(I wish a sequel would happen with Marken & Maron with Lisette to return as zombies, revenants or another kind of undead with their conciousness, heart, soul, humanity & memories all together back in life & slaughter the evil bishop & have Marken reunite with is wife & child/children & Maron with Lisette & life happily ever after all of them together in peace & prosperity.
I wanna read Head Popped next please but I do also want & desire a sequel of this graphic novel book that the story of the sequel takes place after the events of this book or after years that the child or children of Marken grew up & they want alongside their mother Ally to take revenge for their father & husband & slaughter The Bishop & his allies!!!!
Marken & Ally with their upcoming child or children babies(it or they haven't had been born yet) deserved better even Marken's Little Young Brother Maron & Maron Short Lived Young Female Friend & Partner called Lisette(whom I also like very very much).
I love the good guys characters only such Marken who is by far totally my favorite, Ally Marken's Pregnant Wife, Maron & Lisette.
I wish this story which is entertaining, emotional, tragic, dramatic grimdark, bloody & gory, cruel, heartbreaking & heartwarming meaningful, hack & slash, dark & gritty creepy fantasy drama table about the 2 brothers misfits monster slayers(mercenaries, treasure hunters & thieves) with the wonderful characters & art style & atmosphere & vibe to it(this graphic novel book) to last longer & even have a much more fitting happy or emotional bittersweet ending whic is less tragic or terrible & horribly melancholic & sorrowful.
I like the art style, the character designs & illustrations, the whole dark, emotional,
sad, grimm, colorful & surreal obscure & peculiar atmosphere, vibe, emotions & feelings to this book, the artwork, it's characters, the action/battle scenes & it's story.
Overall I like & have myself entertained but heavily cried for many hours all because of this ending(I wish a sequel would happen with Marken & Maron with Lisette to return as zombies, revenants or another kind of undead with their conciousness, heart, soul, humanity & memories all together back in life & slaughter the evil bishop & have Marken reunite with is wife & child/children & Maron with Lisette & life happily ever after all of them together in peace & prosperity.
I wanna read Head Popped next please but I do also want & desire a sequel of this graphic novel book that the story of the sequel takes place after the events of this book or after years that the child or children of Marken grew up & they want alongside their mother Ally to take revenge for their father & husband & slaughter The Bishop & his allies!!!!
June 15, 2021
(4 of 5 for nice sword & sandals/sorcery "Conan-ish" adventure)
Yes, this is the classic. Old successful warrior wants to leave killing behind but he is forced to go against the odds, once again.
But the story is well written, the author is very sensitive in including classic mechanics and weaving the story. The feel from this story is somewhere between Conan and Head Lopper (there is added humour and exaggeration) and it is fun, touching and adventurous. I really enjoyed it.
One small letdown is the art. I have nothing against digital processing, but this one feels... not exactly great. Yes, it's maybe some kind of stylization, but it just doesn't look that appealing. It looks "web comics-ish" and a bit cheap. At the same time, I saw the bonus gallery and the pencil drawings are pretty cool. But digital inking dull that down and the colouring just do the rest, like thick paint over nicely structured wood.
Yes, this is the classic. Old successful warrior wants to leave killing behind but he is forced to go against the odds, once again.
But the story is well written, the author is very sensitive in including classic mechanics and weaving the story. The feel from this story is somewhere between Conan and Head Lopper (there is added humour and exaggeration) and it is fun, touching and adventurous. I really enjoyed it.
One small letdown is the art. I have nothing against digital processing, but this one feels... not exactly great. Yes, it's maybe some kind of stylization, but it just doesn't look that appealing. It looks "web comics-ish" and a bit cheap. At the same time, I saw the bonus gallery and the pencil drawings are pretty cool. But digital inking dull that down and the colouring just do the rest, like thick paint over nicely structured wood.
July 27, 2022
Freedman and crom are really onto something with this pairing of minds. Raiders has the playfulness of early hellboy along with the stark colour contrast and big panels and splash pages. For the biggest monster takedowns but the violence is guttural roar and a sloppy visceral chop of an axe as opposed to Mignola’s much cleaner boom boom boom punches. Raiders is more akin to its contemporary comic Head-Lopper in regard to Braindead style slapstick gore but with a far more nihilistic approach to its world view. The perfect companion piece to anyone starting out playing the Swedish doom metal rpg mörkborg as you can almost hear the droney dungeon synth and rumbling blast beats on every page. This one really doesn’t pull its punches, can’t wait to see what the two of them do next.
February 27, 2021
Probably this comic book will be my top 3 fantasy comics of this year very impressive and emotional.
December 31, 2023
I was here purely for the vibes and the art by Crom and it really delivered in that aspect the story is meh at best but the world and design is pretty dope
December 31, 2022
A tale of familial love and revenge. Lots of fun and great to look at, reminds me so much of HeadLopper- violent but cute and colorful.
January 29, 2025
I couldn't pass up a sword+sorcery comic illustrated by a person called CROM.
By Crom, he draws exactly what you'd expect and want. The story isn't anything special but the pacing and action make the whole thing worth it. At times it feels like a quest in an Elder Scrolls game.
By Crom, he draws exactly what you'd expect and want. The story isn't anything special but the pacing and action make the whole thing worth it. At times it feels like a quest in an Elder Scrolls game.
October 12, 2022
An enjoyable enough action adventure romp, with the central themes focusing on vengeance. The story is effective in execution, though perhaps the predictability of it doesn't help elevate it beyond the concept. Crom's artwork is rightly compared to Mike Mignola/Andrew MacLean due to the rigid linework and use of flat colors, and perhaps is the biggest reason to indulge in this book.
July 9, 2020
Fun, should have been longer.
November 9, 2020
A young dungeon raider hopes for fame and an undying reputation far beyond his years. And as all fantasy epics and tales of adventurous woe go, the headstrong Maron willingly forsakes comfort and simplicity for the dynamic and unknowable. He is not entirely unskilled and he is not without resources to fare well enough on his own, but Maron is no Marken, his elder brother, whose raiding exploits are known and reputed far and wide. But as RAIDERS opens, Marken is weary of beheading goblins and gutting trolls. Marken thus asks: Is it so wrong to hope for enough loot to turn a plot of arable land into one's own farm and settle down with a local wench?
Marken is satisfied with his station in life. He's earned it. But Maron? The headstrong younger brother in search of a reputation he's not yet earned? Youth tends to twist ones grasp of what is graspable.
RAIDERS successfully reframes Maron's internal struggle as an external one. His unresolved need for personal success is soon embodied by his lack of acceptance among other circles of raiders in the region. Will the village of Bridge-Fort bear better fortune for the young man? Will his alliance with a clever and vulgar sword-wielder, Lisette, result in the successful pillaging of a wizard-cursed castle? RAIDERS conjures an entertaining narrative full of all the delightful dungeon gore one can expect, but also weaves a good deal of character development into the mix.
Readers won't find the realistic art akin to the survivalist, swords-and-sorcery epics that have driven much of the genre's tentpole properties from the 1980s to the present day. In its place is a flat-colored tale whose line art captures all the grays, browns, and beiges of rural adventure folk. Visually, the kinetic action is weak, as the rhythm and continuity lack scene-to-scene fluidity and punch. The title holds one's attention well but lacks the finesse required to make the most of it. Not to say the graphic novel's adventuring isn't fun, only to clarify, some of the book's episodes read much in the way an action film might integrate too many jump-cuts to imply a scene possesses more demonstrative action than is truly present.
There's much to enjoy about RAIDERS, though. The characters are warm, the art team's use of inlaid text is fun, and the diversity of creatures of all kinds, some strange and others possessed, which lurk in the corners of each fight scene, makes the occasional info dump worth the wait. RAIDERS is a regrettably short read.
Marken is satisfied with his station in life. He's earned it. But Maron? The headstrong younger brother in search of a reputation he's not yet earned? Youth tends to twist ones grasp of what is graspable.
RAIDERS successfully reframes Maron's internal struggle as an external one. His unresolved need for personal success is soon embodied by his lack of acceptance among other circles of raiders in the region. Will the village of Bridge-Fort bear better fortune for the young man? Will his alliance with a clever and vulgar sword-wielder, Lisette, result in the successful pillaging of a wizard-cursed castle? RAIDERS conjures an entertaining narrative full of all the delightful dungeon gore one can expect, but also weaves a good deal of character development into the mix.
Readers won't find the realistic art akin to the survivalist, swords-and-sorcery epics that have driven much of the genre's tentpole properties from the 1980s to the present day. In its place is a flat-colored tale whose line art captures all the grays, browns, and beiges of rural adventure folk. Visually, the kinetic action is weak, as the rhythm and continuity lack scene-to-scene fluidity and punch. The title holds one's attention well but lacks the finesse required to make the most of it. Not to say the graphic novel's adventuring isn't fun, only to clarify, some of the book's episodes read much in the way an action film might integrate too many jump-cuts to imply a scene possesses more demonstrative action than is truly present.
There's much to enjoy about RAIDERS, though. The characters are warm, the art team's use of inlaid text is fun, and the diversity of creatures of all kinds, some strange and others possessed, which lurk in the corners of each fight scene, makes the occasional info dump worth the wait. RAIDERS is a regrettably short read.
February 3, 2023
I really liked this. I think my enjoyment of it is super subjective, though. Raiders isn't a break-the-mold kind of comic, but it was exactly what I was looking for:
A self-contained fantasy graphic novel.
Raiders isn't super complex, but there's enough potential in this little story to make it into a full-blown series. It has more than enough concepts and ideas that could be expanded and explored in several volumes worth of juicy world and character building. But it settles at just mentioning the bigger stuff, (The bishops, Moyers, the way the dungeons work and their relationship to the economy, etc.) and moving on with the main character's story. That's fine with me. But it's cool that there's potentially more there. The story isn't incredibly unique, but there are several small twists that make the story engaging and elevate it above boiler-plate.
I don't really know how to describe the art. There's probably a word for it, the simplified and almost cartoonish-looking design of everything. It all has a classic fantasy undercurrent, but with a kind of simple, almost Mike Mignola style, but without the harsh shadow or darkness. In fact, it's mostly in bright pastels, which I don't think goes perfectly with the grim fantasy setting. (Nor is it garish enough to make an interesting clash.) Maybe it's not iconic, but it's more than serviceable. It didn't take my breath away, but there were several panels of classic fantasy scenes (horrific human sacrifice and outrageous, axe-throwing carnage,) that looked really cool. It's reminiscent of stuff like Conan the Barbarian, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser or Elric of Melniboné. Pulp fantasy, and I liked it.
I don't know, like I said, I just think that for me specifically, this is really cool. Something like a mid-2000s fantasy/action movie like Pathfinder (2007) or 300, except with a more imaginative world. A short, self-contained story. I'm running it down a lot because I'm kind of ashamed how much it entertained me, lol.
Raiders is really cool.
A self-contained fantasy graphic novel.
Raiders isn't super complex, but there's enough potential in this little story to make it into a full-blown series. It has more than enough concepts and ideas that could be expanded and explored in several volumes worth of juicy world and character building. But it settles at just mentioning the bigger stuff, (The bishops, Moyers, the way the dungeons work and their relationship to the economy, etc.) and moving on with the main character's story. That's fine with me. But it's cool that there's potentially more there. The story isn't incredibly unique, but there are several small twists that make the story engaging and elevate it above boiler-plate.
I don't really know how to describe the art. There's probably a word for it, the simplified and almost cartoonish-looking design of everything. It all has a classic fantasy undercurrent, but with a kind of simple, almost Mike Mignola style, but without the harsh shadow or darkness. In fact, it's mostly in bright pastels, which I don't think goes perfectly with the grim fantasy setting. (Nor is it garish enough to make an interesting clash.) Maybe it's not iconic, but it's more than serviceable. It didn't take my breath away, but there were several panels of classic fantasy scenes (horrific human sacrifice and outrageous, axe-throwing carnage,) that looked really cool. It's reminiscent of stuff like Conan the Barbarian, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser or Elric of Melniboné. Pulp fantasy, and I liked it.
I don't know, like I said, I just think that for me specifically, this is really cool. Something like a mid-2000s fantasy/action movie like Pathfinder (2007) or 300, except with a more imaginative world. A short, self-contained story. I'm running it down a lot because I'm kind of ashamed how much it entertained me, lol.
Raiders is really cool.
July 24, 2020
I liked the artstyle but the story felt reductive and bland. While I appreciate the sudden deaths in the middle, it's nothing really spectacular or anything.
Also, felt like whitewashing or whatever you call this, because I don't imagine Raiders irl were as nice and chivalrous as this. Very white fantasy nerd. There's really no metaphors or interesting ideas here too. The villain is the stereotypical LEADER AND KING RULER and so on.
I liked the art a lot. The style with its' pastel colors and really fun character models felt very contrasting to the blood and gore which I can appreciate. I also liked the ending a bit but not very much. It's mostly stereotypical big white beat-em-up savior bullcrap so yeah. Miss this. But if you do come across this, you'll like the art.
Also, felt like whitewashing or whatever you call this, because I don't imagine Raiders irl were as nice and chivalrous as this. Very white fantasy nerd. There's really no metaphors or interesting ideas here too. The villain is the stereotypical LEADER AND KING RULER and so on.
I liked the art a lot. The style with its' pastel colors and really fun character models felt very contrasting to the blood and gore which I can appreciate. I also liked the ending a bit but not very much. It's mostly stereotypical big white beat-em-up savior bullcrap so yeah. Miss this. But if you do come across this, you'll like the art.
March 8, 2021
Definitely an extra star for Crom's art, whose blocky, cartoony style suits me just right.
The story is a common one...a man tries to succeed in societies crooked game, does, leaves, but then gets pulled back in due to human entanglements and corrupt rulers.
One very nice tweak to the story comes as Freedman goes a step farther in demonstrating how the underclass can only win be destroying its own members by revealing how a common "video game" phenomena actually works.
Fight the power!
The story is a common one...a man tries to succeed in societies crooked game, does, leaves, but then gets pulled back in due to human entanglements and corrupt rulers.
One very nice tweak to the story comes as Freedman goes a step farther in demonstrating how the underclass can only win be destroying its own members by revealing how a common "video game" phenomena actually works.
Fight the power!
October 25, 2020
Crom's flat, pastel art was very refreshing and the story line is a mix of dungeon and dragons meets Game of Thrones. It's a classic "violence begets violence" tale, with shocking deaths and gore. There's revenge that just leads to nihilistic death, but also feels unavoidable. This was a quick read that I happened to enjoy. Come for killing monsters for loot, stay for the shocking and sad storyline.
May 10, 2023
Not bad, not great.
It reminded me a bit of John Wick: very action-focused, with the plot being about a retired hunter who had bought his way out, only for the death of a loved one to pull him back in. Nothing spectacular, but serviceable.
Though I like the art quite a bit, the action sequences aren't as good as something like Head Lopper. The action doesn't flow all too smoothly from panel to panel, and jumps around quite a bit.
55/100
It reminded me a bit of John Wick: very action-focused, with the plot being about a retired hunter who had bought his way out, only for the death of a loved one to pull him back in. Nothing spectacular, but serviceable.
Though I like the art quite a bit, the action sequences aren't as good as something like Head Lopper. The action doesn't flow all too smoothly from panel to panel, and jumps around quite a bit.
55/100
September 20, 2024
Some excellent ttrpg concepts explored, Crom gives us amazing art that taken from the book without context, would provide world building all on its own. However there's a couple pages in the center of the book that dragged so I'd say, Nearly perfect! Definitely worth a read if you enjoy high adventure and possible dungeons and dragon related stories.
October 17, 2024
Bande dessinée super captivante, dans un univers qui mêle D&D mais un peu plus brutal.
Magnifiques panneaux.
“No one knows how, but dungeons have a way of resetting themselves. Some say they come from the cracks in the walls. Others from the aether itself. However they come, they are always there. Hungry, waiting for the next eager treasure hunter.”•§₽ 17
Magnifiques panneaux.
“No one knows how, but dungeons have a way of resetting themselves. Some say they come from the cracks in the walls. Others from the aether itself. However they come, they are always there. Hungry, waiting for the next eager treasure hunter.”•§₽ 17
November 26, 2025
This story was just like the art; short, punchy and raw. We jump straight to the point and into the action in a great way. PLOT TWIST at every second. As soon as you think you have an idea of what is happening it changes. Full of great twists, decent world building for being so short. Read it all in one sitting, great read.
November 25, 2023
Oof, grimdark fantasy, comic book style. Crom’s art looks a bit like Sergio Aragones at first, but as the story progresses and gets bloodier and more brutal, that comparison fades away. It’s ultimately about finding one’s personal freedom no matter the cost… and the price is high.
December 17, 2024
Probably a 3.5 book.
I really liked the art and colours. The plot snd characters were good too.
The message of hope, fighting back against the system were great. I hope the team's Birdking series is collected in a single hardcover edition and I'll buy that too.
I really liked the art and colours. The plot snd characters were good too.
The message of hope, fighting back against the system were great. I hope the team's Birdking series is collected in a single hardcover edition and I'll buy that too.
July 25, 2020
A triumph in comic book and fantasy storytelling.
January 20, 2021
Fun read, beautiful illustrations
April 24, 2021
Nice artwork.
November 4, 2021
Entertaining and interesting. A bit dark for me. Quite violent and tragic.
April 2, 2022
I felt quite let down by the end of this one. I kinda assumed due to its size it was the first in a series and was expecting the build up to a massive quest but it just kinda fizzled for me
June 6, 2022
Super fun hack-n-slash dungeon crawl goodness. Loved the art and the attitude. Made me want to play D&D!
January 3, 2023
Loved every bit of it, except the ending. Maybe we’ll get a Volume 2 with Marken’s child. Phenomenally fun art!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews