Frequently Asked Questions
Need an answer to your questions about this zine? This FAQ page is your convenient stop to what you may be looking for. If you still have a question that you would like answered, please email contact@ddzine2023.com or DM us on our Twitter and Tumblr socials!
What is a Zine?
A zine can be defined in many ways depending on the goal of the organizers, but in the context of this project, a zine is a collection of artworks, writing, or other short-form mediums made by multiple creators as part of a collaboration, often times as an homage to a piece of popular media. Eventually they are usually printed into a physical booklet, the word ‘zine’ comes from ‘magazine’ after all. They can be small or large, just like this one, but generally it is simply a collection of collaborators showing their skills, talent, and love for a common interest.
Why Darkest Dungeon?
The Darkest Dungeon community is a large one, but tight-knit, and filled to the brim with amazing fan creators. Spanning from livestreamers to animators to cosplayers, the Darkest Dungeon community has it all. Because there are so many, it is impossible to highlight them all, but we hope this zine can give the greater community insight into how wonderful this community can be.
If you aren’t familiar with the game franchise, we highly recommend playing them if you like turned-based strategy, RPGs, dungeon crawlers, party management, roguelites, and intensive lore, you will love Darkest Dungeon 1 and 2.
How many people are in the Darkest Dungeon Art Zine?
We have a total of 89 contributors, all you can see listed in the Contributors tab. Every one of these creators are unique, talented, and diligent, and every one of them worked hard for their creations to be shown. Please take time to visit the pages of these artists and support them through any means you can!
Absolutely yes! Though right now everything is digital, we hope to immortalize this project in a physical book and merchandising, including prints, stickers, pins, charms, and, if we are lucky, some cuddly plushies.
The sales of these will most go into the manufacturing costs, but any and all profits will be split between the following charities:
The Come Back Alive Foundation - a non-profit charitable foundation for the Ukrainian military. Several of our contributors are Ukrainian and are in a scary place right now. We hope to help them find the security they need.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) - a worldwide federation in over 160 countries supporting 1900 organizations, ILGA World hopes to bring acceptance and human rights to all people regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Much of the community, including many of the contributors in this zine, identify with the LGBTQ+, and we hope supporting this cause will encourage those around the world to express themselves without judgement or discrimination.
Take This - A mental health organization that prides itself in destigmatizing mental health and supporting those struggling with mental health issues through video games. It is no surprise that the Darkest Dungeon games reach out to so many of those with all forms of anxiety and depression, we hope supporting this cause can empower all those in their invisible battles.
Palestinian Aid - A humanitarian relief group dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people, including medical health, food security, and rebuilding their home. We want to make sure we don’t turn a blind eye to those who need our help, and bring awareness to those who have lost everything.
Will there be merchandise available? If so, where will the money go to?
Why is it called the Darkest Dungeon Art Zine of 2023 when that year has passed?
The bulk of the zine project was made in 2023, as it was started in March 2023 and took until the end of the year to get everyone’s submissions and other relevant information. To spare confusion, referring to the zine as “The Mountains and the Valleys” also helps identify it from any other Darkest Dungeon zine project.
Is this zine run by or associated with the “Fools & Corpses” Fan Zine released in 2021?
The Fools and Corpses Fan Zine is run by different organizers than the Mountains and the Valleys and does not claim any association, but it was indeed the inspiration to start a new one with a much bigger artist pool and to coincide with the retail release of Darkest Dungeon 2. If you’d like to find more information on it, we will credit them here.
What are the disclaimers and trigger warnings before viewing this zine?
Due to the nature of Darkest Dungeon, there will be features of blood, mild gore, violence, and suggestive themes. There is also a Not Safe For Work section that is separate from the wider-seen gallery. Please view our project with caution if you are sensitive to those items.