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.
