Review – Dragon Age: Knight Errant #1 (Dark Horse)

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer(s): Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir
Artwork: Fernando Heinz Furukawa, Michael Atiyeh (colours)
Release Date: 10th May 2017

One of the reasons that the Dragon Age games are so compelling is the well fleshed-out setting, which steals liberally from dozens of mythologies and other intellectual properties to weave a distinct and deep world for the stories to be played out in. And, on this showing, Knight Errant takes full advantage of that.

This first issue does a good job of introducing our leading characters, the braggart knight Ser Aaron of Ferelden and his elvish squire Vaea who is more than she appears. More than that, it does a good job of developing the setting and atmosphere, playing up the grim aspect of Kirkwall and introducing themes of slavery and racial oppression alongside more conventional fantasy intrigue.

In the space of one issue, I find myself interested to see what becomes of Vaea, whether Ser Aaron is also more than he appears and how other characters such as Viscount Tethras and Ser Nevin develop and ultimately I can pay few higher compliments to a first issue.

The artwork and colours are good without being exceptional, with this issue lacking any action scene or especially impactful panel to stand out from the perfectly competent and characterful presentation of Thedas. There are two panels that I feel could have been given a bit more attention and really made to pop, but perhaps the creative team were aiming to maintain the tone rather than breaking the atmosphere they were developing with a sudden shift in art style.

All in all, this is a quality first issue which promises an entertaining story to follow and would be a worthwhile purchase for fans of fantasy in general or Dragon Age in particular.

Rating: 3/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
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