• Maeve and Dungeon Crawler Carl have released a special collection of chocolates inspired by the bestselling novel series.
• The collection features packaging by Young Jerks based on characters from the world of Dungeon Crawler Carl.

One of the weirdest things to come out of the COVID era is a cat show illustrator writing a bestselling fantasy series.  

When the pandemic canceled most in-person events, author Matt Dinniman decided to work full-time on Dungeon Crawler Carl (DCC), the story of a US Coast Guard veteran and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they are forced to compete in an intergalactic competition broadcast as a reality show.

Now, chocolate brand Maeve has partnered with Matt Dinniman to launch a series of sweet treats inspired by Dungeon Crawler Carl’s world, with packaging designed by the talented folks at Young Jerks, who rebranded the Seattle-based chocolatier last year.

The collection includes Sweet Pota-toe Chips, inspired by Carl’s encounter with the Toraline Root, a yam-like vegetable that only grows in volcanic soil. The wrapper features an illustration of Carl wearing the Enchanted War Gauntlet of the Exalted Grull and Princess Donut riding on his shoulders. Carl’s bare feet smash potato chips, and the duo of crawlers moves out of a stone archway.

Also part of the DCC and Maeve collaboration is the Virgin Dirty Shirley, based on Princess Donut’s favorite cocktail. Virgin Dirty Shirley’s wrapper depicts Princess Donut surrounded by cherries, a portrait of Mongo, the feline heroine’s royal steed, on either side of her.

They also released a Benefactor Bonbon Box, named after an item in the DCC novels that carries high-value loot courtesy of “sponsors” and doesn’t carry the usual dungeon gear (keep up with me here). The confectionery delight includes champagne, creme brulee, and milk chocolate in compostable wrappers. The art on the box includes Princess Donut riding Mongo on one panel, and a toad-like Grulke on the front.

The partnership between Maeve and DCC meshes well. Maeve’s fantasy-laden brand identity and DCC’s dungeon crawler theme are visually congruent. And seeing DCC through the lens of Young Jerk’s graphic talent is charming and true to the series.

Maeve x Dungeon Crawler Carl chocolates are available now.