DUNGEON, a graphic series spoof of fantasy-horror by Lewis Trondheim and Joann Sfar, popular in their native France, is slowly being issued in this country by comics publisher NBM. But this particular volume — DUNGEON MONSTRES 1: THE CRYING GIANT — is not the best introduction to the series.

By its own admission the MONSTRES sub-series features the secondary characters. The cover is also misleading, as the book actually contains two stories. “John-John the Terrible,” the unlisted first story, follows a group of oddball creatures as they make their way to Dungeon, a castle where, they hear, they can live peacefully while seeking adventure.

They are joined by William Delacour, a conniving rooster who carries the Sword of Destiny — able to cut beings in two without killing either side. Such is the fate of John-John, a dimwitted, pear-shaped character. The story ends somewhat unresolved, as William flees shortly after reaching Dungeon, presumably in search of other adventures.

Far more satisfying is the featured story, “The Crying Giant.” The incessant tears of a giant’s missing eyeball is flooding the Dungeon, where it rests. So it’s up to Alcibiades, the Dungeon’s wizard, to return it and stop the crying. But before he can do that, the giant needs help with his love life.

It’s difficult to determine who might be drawn to this book. Graphic fantasy novel fans, steeped in Warcraft and Dungeons & Dragons (the latter being the basis for the DUNGEON series’ humor) are bound to find the stories lame. Older readers might be mislead by guest artists Mazan and Jean-Christophe Menu’s panels — with their diluted, cartoonish colors and characters with long, curved beaks and roundish bodies - and assume it’s exclusively for youngsters.

Perhaps it’s best to seek out the earlier releases of this series first. Then, if smitten, introduce yourself to some of the other characters in this whimsical universe. —Alan Cranis

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