Dungeons & Dragons Returns Today With Unexpected New Release

Published Oct 27, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

Dungeons & Dragons has entered an exciting new era with the recent announcement of D&D Universes Beyond, an ambitious initiative that will bring some of pop culture's biggest franchises to the tabletop. First up is World of Warcraft, with a massive crossover arriving November 17 that adapts Azeroth's characters, creatures, and iconic dungeons for D&D campaigns. And in 2027, Star Wars will officially join the lineup, opening the door to some fascinating possibilities.

It's a bold direction for the 52-year-old franchise, and one that has sparked plenty of discussion among longtime players. While some have expressed concerns about D&D following in Magic: The Gathering's crossover-heavy footsteps, there's also genuine excitement about what these partnerships could bring to the game. Crucially, Wizards of the Coast has promised that D&D's original settings won't be left in the dust.

However, fans don't need to wait until November for a new adventure, with an unexpected brand-new Dungeons & Dragons release officially arriving today, offering a surprisingly different take on the iconic tabletop franchise.

Dungeons & Dragons is back today, but you're not going to need a DM, character sheet, or even a single dice for this one. Officially available now, October 27, the Dungeons & Dragons Pop Manga Coloring Book gives fans an entirely different way to experience the iconic tabletop franchise, transforming some of its most recognizable characters and monsters into stunning manga-inspired artwork.

Published by Ten Speed Press, the 80-page coloring book is an officially licensed D&D product, featuring brand-new illustrations created specifically for the coloring book itself. Priced at just under $20, the paperback is available through all major booksellers (link below).

The book features an impressive assortment of familiar D&D creatures, heroes, and villains, all reimagined through a distinctive Japanese manga-inspired aesthetic. Readers can expect everything from fearsome dragons, Neothelids, and dozens of other legendary monsters to surprisingly adorable interpretations of some of the franchise's most noteworthy monsters/characters.

Preview artwork includes the iconic Minsc and Boo (who modern fans will recognize from the Baldur's Gate series), Vecna and the Demogorgon (the original D&D monsters Stranger Things used as reference), Beholders, Owlbears, and even Displacer Beasts. The illustrations embrace both the darker and more whimsical aspects of D&D, giving familiar fantasy designs a completely different personality while allowing readers to choose their own colors.

The artist behind the release, Camilla d'Errico, is an acclaimed Italian-Canadian illustrator and painter renowned for her signature Pop Surrealism style, combining Japanese manga influences with imaginative, frequently surreal imagery. Her work is recognizable for how it incorporates expressive, oversized eyes and colorful, dreamlike designs.

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D'Errico has an extensive portfolio that includes collaborations with major companies such as Disney, Hasbro, Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics, and Sanrio. She's also an accomplished author with numerous published art books, including Pop Manga Dragons and Other Magically Mythical Creatures, Pop Manga Cute and Creepy Coloring Book, and Pop Manga Myths and Monsters Coloring Book.

For the new D&D release, her illustrations are presented in black and white on thick, non-bleed paper, making the book suitable for adult coloring enthusiasts looking to experiment with different techniques. Its nearly 10-inch-square format also provides plenty of room to appreciate the finer details of each illustration.

You can order Camilla d'Errico's Dungeons & Dragons Pop Manga Coloring Book via Amazon here.

It's certainly an unexpected direction for Dungeons & Dragons, but one that makes perfect sense given the franchise's emphasis on imagination and creativity. The book is also a relatively affordable addition to any D&D collection, particularly for fans who appreciate fantasy artwork or are looking for something a little different from the usual tabletop accessories and campaign supplements.