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Creative Team:
Written by: G. Willow Wilson; Art by: Chris Wildgoose; Colors: Msassyk; Letters by: Simon Bowland.
The Hunger and the Dusk, from IDW Publishing
This comic has been full of violence, prejudices, fear, and some amazingly beautiful relationships. Humans and Orcs have reluctantly teamed up to fight a common enemy. However, the relationships that felt forced at first have grown. All the while, not everyone or everything is black and white.
Check out the Review for Issue 4 from Lauren.
![The Hunger and the Dusk Issue 5 Variant Cover](https://i0.wp.com/nerdinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Hunger-and-the-Dusk-5-Variant-Cover.jpg?resize=600%2C912&quality=77&ssl=1)
The Story for Issue #5
This issue kicked off with Cal and Tara, our orc and human couple bonded by a treaty to help save everyone from the Vangol. While I have loved seeing these two put aside the prejudices that were instilled in them both growing up, and truly bonding, it couldn’t be all roses and fighting the Vangol forever. While Tara continues to impress Cal with gifts he didn’t know were possible, she can no longer ignore why his group is called, ‘The Last Men Standing.’ They may be survivors, but their strategies make it clear why there are not more of them left standing.
Meanwhile, Mikil, who was sent to follow the Vangol, has learned these monsters aren’t exactly what everyone thinks them to be. Their enemy and the environment around them are all much bigger threats than they realize.
![](https://i0.wp.com/nerdinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Hunger-and-the-Dusk-5-second-variant-cover.jpg?resize=600%2C923&quality=77&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/nerdinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Hunger-and-the-Dusk-5-second-variant-cover.jpg?resize=600%2C923&quality=77&ssl=1)
The Art
The art continues to portray these characters with realistic emotions and beautiful details. Tara and Cal are children of war, and you can see it on their faces, and in their expressions. The beauty of comics is when the words and the art sink up so perfectly that you feel for these characters as if they’re real. The violent scenes also come across as dark, gory, and angry, while still maintaining a calming and beautiful scene. The sight alone of the Vangol can make you cringe yet the page is still beautiful.
The Hunger and the Dusk #5 Rating: 8.5/10
If you listened to our recent Hops GEEK News podcast, you know how much I have absolutely been loving this comic! However, this issue took an inevitable turn that I know needed to be done, but I didn’t want to see. This just makes me need the next issue that much sooner. Overall, I am still loving this story. It’s about war and survival, but it has so much heart as well.
Meanwhile, the constant twists, turns, and reveals continue to take me by surprise. We’re almost half way through this 12 issue run, and I cannot wait to see how it all plays out. I know who I’m rooting for, but much like life… that is rarely possible. The Hunger and the Dusk continues to be my favorite current comic book run.
Lauren is half of Hops GEEK News: a weekly podcast that discusses all things geek pop culture, while enjoying a craft beer of the week. They also interview many different people from the comic book world and beyond.