The Savage Beard of She Dwarf

by Kyle Latino

A heartwarming graphic novel that tells the story of a lonely dwarf searching for her place in the world.

She Dwarf believes herself to be the last dwarf in existence. Hoping to find evidence to the contrary, She Dwarf sets out on a mission to find the lost dwarven city of Dammerung. But Dammerung isn’t on any map and will not be easily found. Strong forces stand in She Dwarf’s way. Begrudgingly forced to take on a partner to aid in her mission, She Dwarf is joined by war barbarian, Hack Battler. Together, the pair will face vengeful shorcs, sludge demons, mutant bear monsters, and more. When warned by an elf named Drift of the dangers of searching for the lost city, She Dwarf will come face to face with the consequences of her quest. Driven by memories of her mother, She Dwarf is more determined than ever to unearth the truth of the dwarves.

Savage Beard of She Dwarf is a fantasy webcomic seen in book form for the first time. From comic writer and artist Kyle Latino, this YA graphic novel packs all the epic adventure and delightful humor with a heartwarming story of a lonely dwarf searching for her place in the world.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult, Comics, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics, Adventure

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2020

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, inclusive questing romp, told with a light touch and eye-popping artwork.



She Dwarf is a young female dwarf, who is trying to follow in the footsteps of her deceased dwarven mother (her father being a halfling, which creates some identity worries for She Dwarf), and find the lost dwarven Kingdom of Dammerung.

What follows is a twisty-turny quest through different interesting and colourful locales.



She Dwarf is accompanied by a varied group, including a female elf, a Conan-like barbarian and a goblin.

The artwork is intricate and crowded with detail, without ever becoming hard to follow. The book has a good sense of humour, but the ending does feel a bit rushed.



Perfect for anyone who likes a good fantasy adventure, and a good laugh.

(Received an ARC through Netgalley)

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fearing that she is the last alive, the bearded daughter of a dwarf and a halfling sets off on a quest to find the lost kingdom of dwarves. High energy art, heaps of humor, and a grotesque grab bag of monsters make for a fun quest to find one's place in the world.

Sequel please.

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Dwarf might be the last of her kind, but this only fuels her desire for adventure, danger, and travel. Her famous warrior mother died before she could lead She Dwarf though the final coming of age trials, so our hero is on a quest to find the lost kingdom of Dwarves to see what knowledge she can gain from the ruins. A long the way she battles and befriends a whimsical cast of misfits who end up tagging along for the journey for reasons of their own. This story is action packed, fun, beautifully drawn and extremely aesthetically queer though there are no outright discussions of anyone's gender or sexuality. I highly recommend this comic for fantasy comic fans of all ages, it was released during covid and never got the promotion or attention it deserved. Buy this book for someone for the holidays!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆

She Dwarf, a young female dwarf, is the last of her kind and is on a quest to find the lost city of Dammerung. On the way she meets new friends and faces several beast, all while driven by the memories of her mother, a well-known warrior.

What I liked:

- I loved the artwork in this graphic novel, I stopped many times to admire the details.
- funny and super fun to read
- easy to follow, even though it is a high fantasy setting

Why I gave it a 4☆:

- the ending was slightly rushed and I didn't really grasp what exactly happened and why, which is a very usual complain of mine with books.


This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cass Moskowitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun romp in a fantasy land where She Dwarf may be the last of her kind, and she’s determined to prove that not to be the case. With humour and wit and a few gags along the way, this is an endearing tale. At times the gore was a bit gratuitous and the story lost its way a bit but all in all, a fun read.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this graphic novel from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I am kind of out of reviews it seems, so I will keep this one short. This one was awesome! Hilarious. Magical. Fun. Full of action and adventure. Very rushed at times and sometimes I was just a bit confused and had to read back to see if I missed anything. But all in all a wonderful graphic novel about the last dwarf (that she knows) looking for the mythical Dammerung. She gets help with many wonderful friends, slays tons of dragons in epic ways, fights some more against anything and everything, enjoy bath bombs, she has a fab beard, and more. I loved She Dwarf and loved how tough and kick-ass she was.
I was also a big fan of the action scenes and how everything just flowed, just like I was watching a show. The art was also fantastic. Colourful, fluid, flowing. I loved it.
All in all, I wouldn't mind more books about She Dwarf. I need them.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT'S TIME FOR SOME GOOD OLD-FASHIONED (satire of) SWORD AND SORCERY! A funny, heartfelt look at a bearded dwarf finding her way and finding friends on her adventures (quite literally, "the true treasure was the friends we made along the way"). An art style that is technicolor Conan on acid helps, as do knowing nods to D&D and sword and sorcery tropes. And I'll never look at bath bombs the same way again. The ending was a bit arbitrary, cliche, and abrupt, but on the whole a fun read.

**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic copy from Lion Forge.
She Dwarf is the last of her kind. She sets off on a quest to find the dwarves lost home. Along the way, she gather friends of different species and together they defeat the final monster and bring peace to the dwarf spirits.
Vividly colored graphics and an easy to follow story. Plenty of adventure with enough twists to keep readers engaged.

[Dax · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not crying, you're crying. This book is gorgeously illustrated and has a color palette that is so enticing my mouth watered. The friendships made along the way are brilliant and the characters do a brilliant job of growing and surprising you in wonderful ways.

[Shylo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super silly. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Jessa Franco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Transitions between scenes were wonky, but this is everything I wanted Brandis to be. She Dwarf just needs bows and she could be my D&D character 💕

[♥Sabulous ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost interest 2/3s of the way through but at that point it was out of pure will power that I managed to finish.

[Diana-christie Biancardi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art was cool!

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was both wholesome and gruesome. I loved it!
The found family vibes were great, I love a good quest, and I loved all the nods to classic fantasy characteristics.

[Kasey Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fun! I laughed all the way through it.
She Dwarf (our MC) is on a quest to find the other dwarfs. She believes she is the last of her kind. Along the way she makes a lot of friends (often reluctantly). Which characters like Hack Battler, Muscle Hawk, Shorcs, and dragons, how could you go wrong?

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Dubzor · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Savage Beard of She Dwarf by Kyle Latino, 156 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL, Roaring Book Press, 2020, $20. 9781620107386

Language: PG (4 swears); Mature Content G; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

She Dwarf may be the only dwarf left in existence. She sets off for the lost dwarven city of Dammerung to find others of her kind. Dammerung is off the grid and there are forces that don’t want it found. She Dwarf pairs up with an unlikely helper, and they face hazard after hazard as they journey to find out what happened to the dwarves.

Though age is never mentioned, She Dwarf is a beer drinker and has a full beard. The battles are violent in a graphic novel sort of way: there is hammer time to some Shork crotches, monsters losing eyes and teeth, and an elf impaled on a dragon horn. The art is fun and colorful. She Dwarf is a tough cookie, and not above ripping off someone’s beard or taking on dragons. Sometimes the story seemed to skip plot points. For example, I’m still not sure why Hack Battler’s beard turned white, but if you love Legends of Zelda, you’ll probably like this fantasy webcomic turned book.

Michelle in the Middle
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Munch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book in exchange for a honest review via Netgalley.
The art style in this isn't what I normally enjoy but I like how colourful it was and the expressions were on point. The storyline seemed a bit rushed and I probably would have enjoyed it more if it had been a bit more detailed about the world and the backstory of some of the side characters who travel with She Dwarf. I really enjoyed the banter between her and Hack and how they gradually became good friends. Unfortunately I don't think her other friendships seemed to have the same amount of depth. I loved the talking statue near the beginning of the story, it made me chuckle. I also liked how She Dwarf could go from pretty cute to bloodthirsty really quickly! Overall a quick sweet tale of friendship and adventure.

[Donna-Marie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review got lost!!! will write a new one soon.

[Pine Reads Review]

Like all good stories, we open this tail with she dwarfs ripping another man’s beard off in a beard wrestling contest. From there we follow she dwarf as she tries to find the lost home of dwarfs and find out if she is the last dwarf. Across her adventure, She Dwarf will encounter dragons, oracles, cockatrices, puzzles, and luxurious bathhouses but she doesn’t do it alone. She Dwarf assembles a team with Hack the muscle-bound fighter turned healer, drift the flying magic elf, and Gabby the goblin researcher who is handy with a crossbow as well.

I really enjoyed the expectations that were subverted in The Savage Beard of She Dwarf. This story takes the classic fantasy tropes and subverts them in DnD inspired twists. She Dwarf is a really interesting character because she perfectly blends the macho warrior type who hits first and asks questions later, with nice feminine charms like her love of baths and bathhouses. Hack is another character who desperately wants to be a warrior but who is weak with weapons and by the end of the story turns out to be a better healer than fighter turning his sword upside down and making it a staff. The story subverts genre expectations all while assembling new characters we learn to love and visually striking enemies who we love to see brought down. This journey is interrupted by a flashback of She Dwarf's life showing her quest is one to find belonging since she felt alone after her mother the only other dwarf, she knew died defending others. The building of the teams is nicely paced, and the story is charming and a great read. My only complaint is the pay off happens rather abruptly. I was loving this story and wish the last section was spread out a bit more especially since the final two team members are brought on rather late in the story. I want to see there dynamic further explored in the ending. The world is so ripe for adventure though that I am sure She Dwarf will be back and I am going to be there right there with her. If you want a fun and funny romp through a mystical and fantastical world, I would recommend going with The Savage Beard of She Dwarf.

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change.) 

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Dwarf believes she is the last dwarf in existence, but she wants to travel to the dwarf kingdom of Dammerung to see if there are any others still alive. She Dwarf is joined by a fighter, named Hack Battler, who she defeated in a beard battle. They are warned along the way to Dammerung of how dangerous this quest is, but She Dwarf is determined to make it to the dwarf homeland.

This graphic novel was so funny. It had some clever twists on the classic fantasy journey tale. She Dwarf is a female dwarf with a long beard. She is able to use the beard for fighting as well as style. She traveled with Hack, who was clueless most of the time. There were a few laugh out loud moments that I really enjoyed.

She Dwarf and Hack met different fantasy creatures along the way. There was an elf who helped them after proving their strength in a battle. There were goblins and a dragon. There was even a creature with real bears in place of arms. These fantastical characters made the story unpredictable and exciting.

Savage Beard of She Dwarf is a fun fantasy graphic novel.

Thank you Oni Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ay Oh Be · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an article about how this graphic novel is a real fantasy genre treasure. That article did not lie. I originally bought the digital version but by the second chapter I had caved and bought a paper copy of the story.
She Dwarf is adorable and determined. She is trying to follow in her mother's foot steps and find her own place in the world. She is spunky and takes no shit from anyone. She is a laughter-enducing delight. The band of merry men that she collects along the way are equal parts entertaining and endearing.
I will forever love, "Bears for Hands!!" And the other zany adventures that the group encounters during their heartfelt quest.
The art is colorful and dynamic. A perfect match to the story being told. Latino sets uses his art to carefully portray atmosphere and emotion. The blend of illustration and story is seamless.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Savage Beard of She Dwarf' with story and art by Kyle Latino is a fun fantasy graphic novel about the last Dwarf.

She Dwarf, with the bushy beard, thinks she is the last dwarf and she is on a quest to the dwarven city of Dammerung. Along the way, she will meet fierce monsters, and join up with even fiercer companions.

I had a lot of fun reading this crazy story. The characters are over the top. So is the art, with insane monsters and really great colors. It's not a massively deep story, but I really liked it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Jen Tidman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vibrant illustration combines with a heartwarming and diversely characterised story in this YA graphic novel.

She Dwarf is searching for her place in the world believing herself to be the last surviving dwarf. Reluctanytly banding together with war barbarian, Hack Battler, she sets out on a quest to find the lost dwarven city of Dammerung, and thereby honour her warrior mother.

Fighting vengeful shorcs, sludge demons, mutant bear monsters, and an elven sherrif, She Dwarf determinedly persists in her pursuit of the truth and makes new allies along the way.

This is a fun and quirky epic adventure reminiscent of DnD quests, and I really hope there will be a sequel.

[Ryan Laferney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comic book, which is the collected run of the web comic, is an emotional and funny ride. Basically, this tale follows She Dwarf on her various misadventures and quest to find her family and were she belongs. The comic is clearly inspired by TTRPGs, Lord of The Rings, Zelda, and that's okay - I LOVE ALL THOSE THINGS. Kyle is a very humorous imagination and it shows. The sharks that are orcs is a prime example.

Highly recommended! Lots of fun with an emotional punch.

*sobbing*....I'm not crying in my beard and beer....YOU ARE!

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story runs at an 11/10 speed the hole way. Every chapter had nuts-crazy monsters and gorey action. I was suprised how much I liked the spunky She Dwarf and her hulking quest companion. The dialogue is snappy and the facial expressions over-the-top, in a good way. It just ended so suddenly. I felt a rug had been pulled out from my feet.

[Barry GN · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts well enough, but then it started getting over the top (as if the premise of the story isn't over the top enough already), and I started losing interest. However, by the end, the characters became endearing and I found myself enjoying the book.

All in all, it's worth reading. Maybe it's not the best story, but it's heartwarming and enjoyable.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This comic isn't like most web comic complications or visual novels, instead being much closer to newspaper comics in almost every way. From the art to the pacing to the plot itself, this is a simple classic style comic with a mildly interesting cast who unfortunately fall flat against the rest of the book.