Knights of the Dinner Table (KODT) is something of a sacred cow, so far as reviews go. To be honest I have yet to see one and have been struggling to find the right tone and courage to write this review. KODT is a publication with a strong and loyal fan base and it really is one of the best periodicals to hit the gaming scene in some time, arguably ever.

It is too bad KODT isn't all good, which is where I will start. KODT deserves to go out of this review with a high note rather than a low.

KODT is too often overwhelmed by content that takes away from what is great about the comic, the strip. Like some RPG publications (i.e. White Dwarf, Dragon) KODT often appears to be a catalogue for Kenzer & Co. Sure they throw in a booster of Monty Python and the Holy Grail CCG for free once in a while, which if I played CCG's I would dig. But does so much page count have to be dedicated to Kenzer & Co.'s own CCG or RPG products? Is it KODT a comic or a supplement for their other product lines? Is it a house rag or a comic? $2.95 for a predominantly black and white comic this a little irritating despite the fact it is one of the best comics around.

In a recent issue an explanation for the "Brian's Picks" section of KODT was fully explained, basically it is free advertising for small press games and not a review. This can be a good thing, because there are some fantastic games out there that receive very little press. There are also really lousy games too. There appears to be no filter for this section, other than professional courtesy. The other reviews, books, CRPG's, movies in KODT are a mixed bag. Sometimes the reviews are good and geared towards the readers of KODT. But more often than not they are of amateur to poor quality that does not belong in a professional publication. Stick to other publications or www.rpg.net for more thoughtful reviews.

The other comics that have a few pages in KODT, outside of the magazine's namesake, are not really engaging. I think this is because there is not enough page count to really draw out plots in these smaller strips and not their overall quality. Even if they are less engaging the KODT strip, they are more interesting than a rules supplement/advertisement/catalogue to an in house product.

Some of the articles and humor in KODT are just padding. Jokes that can be found on the Internet that, more often than not, have nothing to do with gaming. They just eat away at page count. That said, all the padding that is put into KODT could be better served by more comics be it about the Knights, or the Black Hands the other side groups or even the other non related comics.

For lack of more descriptive words, the letters columns in KODT are really bad. Either they only get good letters that in summary say: "KODT rocks ass!" or an analysis of the characters to the fan-boy level. This is probably the weakest part of KODT, but that could be said about most publications. Far too much page count is dedicated to letters and probably could be used to better effect

None of these are an excuse to not buy KODT. But they are comments on where KODT could improve if Kenzer and Co. wanted to truly have a great magazine. If the production values were upped a notch or two (i.e. Shadus), I would have a tough time saying anything bad about KODT.

I think humor is the hardest thing to write and KODT is easily one of the funniest publications I have ever read. So much, that it is one of the few publications I can not wait to come out.

KODT has a similar hook to gaming as Dilbert does to the IT profession: sometimes the truth is funnier than fiction. KODT sums up many of the funny truisms about gaming: munchkins, power gaming, ego, the industry, social lives, no social lives, role playing and roll playing. KODT also does a good job in spoofing the gaming scene with strips based around LARPS*, miniatures, racing games and collectable card games.

It can also be argued that KODT has a similar hook to gaming as Rocky Horror Picture show does to audience participation. There are live readings of KODT at conventions and some fan material submitted into the magazine. Some of the original material submitted is fan boy self-insertion stuff (re stinky bad), but some of it is almost as funny as KODT. Such is the way of fan fiction, love it or hate it. This leads to a bigger point what publication in the gaming industry has acquired such fan participation? When was the last time Dragon or White Dwarf had a live reading?

The characters in KODT are stereotypes, but ones that the reader can relate to. Who hasn't played with a power monger rules lawyer like Brian or kill happy munchkins like Dave or Bob? How many gamers feel like Sara does? The connections the characters have on the reader are surprisingly deep and combined with the quality plotting make for a great read. The plot has multiple lines, arcs across issues, self references itself and does a good job in filling in holes as they come along. The sub plots about Patty and her gaming group or Johnny's return and flash blacks are really good examples.

Some of the old issues of KODT are hard to get, like any other coveted comic/magazine. Kenzer and Co. has released old issues dubbed Bundle of Trouble, and they are well worth the money to catch up on your collection. There are a couple of spin-offs from the core comic that might be worth checking out. There is KODT illustrated, which is a funny and well drawn take on KODT as it is the actual adventures the Knights play in. There is also the Hackmasters of Everknight, which is an fantasy comic based in the Hackmaster** setting, but the comic is not as engaging as KODT.

The art in KODT is not good, in the traditional sense. But it is catchy, unique and conveys the stories well, which is much better than many traditional comics currently printed. Besides how much art needs to be dedicated to gamers sitting around a table? That question answers itself.

* LARP = Live Action Role Playing

** Hackmaster is the fictional game setting and system featured in KODT.

If you have never picked up a copy of Knights of the Dinner Table, do so. It is a funny, brilliant and good-natured take on gaming. Half the magazine could be improved, no doubt, but it is still the best publication in gaming.