I love Jester with my whole heart but I don’t think this comic did her justice at all. It also ended up being canon-deviant, which imho didn’t really benefit a story that already felt a bit flat and under-developed. My main issue with this comic is it’s shallow portrayal of a very complex character. Ironically instead of adding more depth to her by showing her background story they reduced her character to a shadow of her true self. Furthermore, I didn’t like that Artagan first showed up when Jester was a teenager. Changing the timeline of their meeting undermines their deep bound and its complexities. One of the most intriguing things about their relationship is that she basically knew him since she was a toddler which makes it far more believable that she ended up worshiping him as a god. I can more easily suspend my disbelief seeing childlike adoration of a friend who can make miracles happens turn into faith than seeing a teenager who can cast magic herself start worshiping her magically gifted friend as a god. Of course the Traveller thought her how to cast spells but I think learning magic would seem more divine and wondrous to a child unable to leave her room than for a teenager. Moreover, I have to give it to them that they did a pretty good job showing how shifty the Traveller can be and also how Marion always comes from a place of true love and admiration while not being a perfect mother. I just wish they‘d touched upon this serious topics more rather than filling page after page with plotless shenanigans that added nothing to the overall story. I don’t think these scenes needed to be cut down but they added nothing to make a compelling story. On another note — which I didn’t take into consideration while I decided on my rating — I wish Jesters desire to travel the whole world was addressed more in depth and with more nuance. Especially because Laura kept hinting multiple times that Jester couldn’t stand staying in Nicodranas anymore but also couldn’t bring herself to leave her mother just for her own amusement. Framing her prank on Sharpe as a cunning form of self-sabotage to get permission to travel without bad conscience is much more interesting than her doing it solely for shits and giggles. Also the execution of that whole scene leading to her departure was very poorly written. This also brings me to what really made me disappointed in this comic. Jester as a character is fun, mischievous, happy!! All sunshine and rainbows!! But there is undoubtedly a very deep and profound sadness in her that she hides skillfully. This comic that addresses her origin story would seem like the perfect opportunity to explore more of these feelings that she doesn’t want to show at all. That doesn’t seem like they fit her. Instead we got “I was a bit sad ... sometimes ... but actually I’m fine fine fine!!” Lastly, I really loved the art style and coloration! I think aesthetically they did an amazing job! (And bonus points for a Fjord easter egg at the end!) I also liked how they subtly worked in accurate dnd-mechanics like having no more spell slots left, casting 1st level spells like charm person, disguise self etc. & even showcasing class features of the trickery domain! Overall, amazing to look at, disappointing to read. This reading of the comic might lack nuance but it’s unfortunately also what this comic effectively boils down to - especially for readers who didn’t watch Campaign 2. This comic cannot stand on its own and is definitely targeted more towards fans and even then it leaves its readers unsatisfied. I cannot help but to ask myself what the purpose of this comic was....