Warlord #35
Published and © by DC, July 1980
Title: “Gambit”
Synopsis: Warlord’s return journey from Wizard World takes an unexpected detour through a world ruled by chance – and the comics’ creative team.
Writer: Mike Grell
Penciler: Grell
Inker: Vince Colletta
Review: The use of a D&D-style framework is a clever twist for this done-in-one detour, but it also points to one of this series’ greatest flaws: The seeming randomness of events in this outing is not much different than a typical Warlord adventure. A recurrent complaint about Mike Grell’s first magnum opus is its lack of sustained narrative complexity. But, as is often the case, this issue works as a fun-but-undemanding, one-off tale. On the art side, Grell’s art remains above average, but also falls short of its next-level potential due to Vince Colletta’s often-unflattering inking.
Grade: B
Cool factor: This issue does a great job capturing the geek zeitgeist of its time.
Notable: In-story appearances by Mike Grell, Jack C. Harris and Joe Orlando.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “To hear him tell it, you’d think it was easy controlling the fate of men!” – Mike Grell, character
Editor’s note: This review was written Jan. 17, 2025.
