Start of Darkness is the latest book in the Order of the Stick series. The Order of the Stick has its origins online (from the [URL="site http://www.giantitp.com/index.html"]Giants in the Playground [/URL])and is currently updated three times a week with no schedule. In many ways, it started off as a spoof on the rule system for the Dungeons & Dragons mechanics and has made fun of many of the odd rules within it. Clocking in at 112 pages, the book is more expensive than the first print only book, but not only is it longer, twelve of those pages are in full color. Well worth the extra cost.
Despite its spoof origins however, it’s also developed quite a damn good story and has moved past being web only to include a print only story, On The Origins of the PCs, and has spawned a second print only book, Start of Darkness. While the former handled the heroes of the series, the latter addresses the villains. This doesn’t count the board game or appearances in other print media such as the recently cancelled Dragon Magazine.
When I started reading the book, I knew I was going to enjoy it was it starts with a fictional preface by Miko Miyazaki, one of the most debated paladins in web comics. After reading the book, while I wasn’t surprised by how much I enjoyed the story, I was surprised how much depth was added to ‘Redcloak’ , a goblin priest, and his back story and how despite having a relatively simple outlook on life, how much of a bastard Xykon, the lich sorcerer, truly is. About the only spot I felt the book came up short was in show casing the old thing in darkness. We see how it met Xykon and Redcloak but still have no idea of what it actually is. Heck, we even get the ‘origin’ of the wise talking fiendish roaches.
In terms of time span, because of ‘Redcloak’s’ cloak, he ages slower and because of his undead nature, Xykon is effectively ageless. This allows Rich Burlew to ‘start’ the story over a hundred years ago and we see now only the two masterminds, but those that follow them, some willingly and some not. In terms of importance, we see the cleric goblin’s efforts and how the goals he wants for his people, for the greater good, do not always work out. We also see how Xykon went from human sorcerer to undead lich.
In terms of the other part of Order of the Stick’s appeal, the humor side, Rich does a great job of using the characters in their natural state to present some funny moments. For example, when it looks like defeat is final and the only option to move forward is an evolution into a lich, Xykon originally replies, “No. I can’t. I may have done some evil things in my life, but I cannot give up my humanity so easily. Such a path would lead to an irredeemable state of utter depravity and that is a step further and I am willing to go” quickly followed by “Pfft! No! I’m just screwing with you.”, quickly followed by his transformation and lines like, “Look at how limber I am! Suck it hard, Arthritis!”
The author also manages to make great use of spoofs. One of the first spoofs is comparing mutants from the Marvel Comics line, such as the X-Men, to sorcerers. Suffice it to say that the sell ‘Professor Xavion” and his school of S-Men try to sell the young Xykon fails and that the consequences are quick and humor filled.
Other spoofs aren’t always named but the flying elephant that attacks from the circus looks pretty familiar and the bear the screams out, “Only you can prevent Forest Fires!”, also unnamed, seems well established. Some of this little cameos provide brief but entertaining clips. For example, during the circus bit with the flying elephant, we see two trapeze artists get killed leaving behind a young son whose new mentor is waiting there with the words of wisdom, “Ooooo, tough break, old chum.”
While the story fits into the overall Order of the Stick quite nicely and does shed light not only on the evil doers, but also the ‘campaign setting’, it’s not necessary to read it to continue enjoying the comic. On the other hand, there are numerous bits that I wouldn’t be surprised if they made their way into the comic at some point.
Start of Darkness showcases Rich’s talents as both a writer and a funny man and I look forward not only to the next print web compilation, but also the next brand new black and white story that Rich hits us with.
