With the imminent return to HBO of George R. R. Martin’s best-selling, multi-award winning novel series, A Game of Thrones, now would be a good time to remind viewers of the TV show (and readers of the books) that Dynamite Entertainment has adapted the NY Times bestselling books into an ongoing comicbook series which has managed to do a rather remarkable job of capturing and the presenting multiple points of view and intricate plot-lines contained in the books and on HBO. So even here in comicbook form readers can closely follow the loves and lives of the noble houses of Westeros, The Starks, learn about the Wall, the Targaryen plot-line and more.
Acclaimed novelist Daniel Abraham is doing a remarkable job at faithfully adapting the books while Tommy Patterson is doing a stand-out job illustrating the series in a compelling and dynamic fashion. Together they are bringing the epic fantasy to a magnificent new life on the pages of this lavishly-rendered illustrated series (the initial six issues form a story arc that is gathered together to form a graphic novel). Meanwhile in the on-going monthly title which is up to issue #17, News of Eddard Stark's arrest for treason has spread to Castle Black, where Jon Snow, who is now a member of the Night's Watch, discovers that being a King’s bastard is nothing compared to being the son of an accused traitor.
Still, as it turns out, that is actually the least of his problems, for the frozen corpses of a pair of rangers are brought back for examination which could indicate murder. Meanwhile, in Winterfell, Robb Stark marches south, even though Osha argues that the real fight lies to the north, against the mysterious “Others”. Still, with Eddard and Sansa being held hostage, Robb realizes that only a battlefield victory can save them. So, together with his mother, Lady Catelyn, Robb prepares an bold roll of the dice.
It is within the pages of the comic, that Martin’s characters receive yet a new lease on life as they all but leap off the pages in glorious color while the art draws you into this magical world of Thrones. Needless to say, the most compelling part of the comic series is how easily it manages to convey all of the intricate plotlines, mosaic history, and complex character relationships that are contained within this magnificent prose work, bringing it to new life as it brings the work to and an entirely new fan base. Further, it makes the work surprisingly accessible for individuals who may not have either read the book or seen the HBO TV show, while — at the same time — providing both unique insights and a new take on the series and show itself.
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Robert J. Sodaro has been reviewing comicbooks for some 30 years. During that time, his reviews and articles have appeared in numerous print publications, as well as on the web. Subscribe to receive regular comicbook articles and reviews.
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