Diablo: Dawn of Hatred #1 Review

 

Diablo: Dawn of Hatred #1 Review

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Penciller: Daniele Serra

Inker: Giusi Lo Piccolo

Colorist: Jovanna Plata

Letterer: AndWorld Design’s JAME

Cover Artists: Adam Gorham, Nick Marinknovich, Dev Pramanik, Andrea Olimpieri

Also Available: Blank Sketch Cover

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: April 22, 2026

 

When the tribe gathers before Akarat, he teaches them about the light inside them. The prophet urges them to care for their neighbors and leave this world better than they found it. But Derris frowns as he stands among the others. What troubles the young warrior? And is he right to doubt the man who inspires his people? Let's leap into Diablo: Dawn of Hatred #1 and see!

 

Story

Akarat addresses his followers in the dirt paths between their tents. As he contrasts two types of virtuous behavior, Akarat points out that the people we often admire accomplish less than those whose contributions go unnoticed. Instead of urging them to be loyal servants to a leader, Akarat challenges them to believe in themselves and their capabilities.

 

Cullen Bunn contrasts Arakat’s teachings with Derris's viewpoint. After listening to the prophet's teachings and confering with his chief, Derris seeks solitude. As the battle rages in Derris' heart, unexpected violence also strikes his village in Diablo: Dawn of Hatred #1. Selviar, his leader, has placed her faith in Akarat. She believes he will help them embrace a brighter future. But as Derris acts to resolve the conflict in his village, he must choose between following his heart and the preachings of a man he distrusts.

 

For Derris, religious teachings are all well and good. But they don't protect the tribe as effectively as swords or his axe. Nor does Arakat seem to think highly of the tribe. He compares them with a well-meaning woman who is crude, unserious, and not dedicated to her cause. Unlike Arakat, Derris is proud of his people. The young man doesn't think they need a guru to uplift them. And his tribal leader only chose to follow Arakat after he healed her, and because Selviar felt ashamed of her tribe's failure in Diablo: Dawn of Hatred #1.

 

Art

Tents rise in the desert, defying the surrounding sandstone cliffs. The tribe gathers around Arakat, wearing an array of pants, tunics, dresses, and layered garments. His features carved in stone, Derris stands resolute in a short skirt. A gold amulet rests on his tanned chest. Unlike the other men of the tribe, Arakat wears his hair long like Derris. No one sports a fuller beard. The fur adorning Arakat's shoulders, and decorated with gold symbols, is larger than the one Selviar wears.

 

As Daniele Serra and Giusi Lo Piccolo show the tribe’s fascination with the prophet, Jovanna Plata lavishes a palette of warm colors in keeping with the desert environment. When the moon rises, blue overtakes the orange and yellow sky. Blue tinges the people working on their tents and pots or talking with each other. The black void creeps into the edge of a half-page vertical panel, and stars shine in the blue night, as a young woman in a blue dress approaches Derris. Neither smiles as she sits on the green land outside the camp, and inquires about his thoughts in Diablo: Dawn of Hatred #1.

 

AndWorld Design’s JAME fills white balloons and boxes with black uppercase letters. The letters grow bold for intonation. Intense emotions transform balloons into stars, and shouts swell letters. As the night sky changes color again, sound effects accompany turmoil and death. The yellow-orange embers from the campfire fly before a face, and red silhouettes fight across an eye as giant letters burst a white balloon. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

His enemies once followed Akarat. Now, Derris watches his people embrace the prophet's teachings. As Derris contemplates his future, the warrior wonders if he is right to doubt the prophet his leader endorses. But while his people hope to escape an endless cycle of violence, Derris fears that’s just wishful thinking in Diablo: Dawn of Hatred #1.

 

Rating 8.6/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Diablo: Dawn of Hatred #1.

 

For concept art see my Diablo 2025 FCBD Announcement.