DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics
WRITER: George R.R. Martin
ADAPTATION: Daniel Abraham
ART: Tommy Patterson
COLORS: Ivan Nunes
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
COVER: Mike S. Miller
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (2014)
Dynamite Entertainment is currently producing a comic book adaptation of A Game of Thrones, the 1996 novel from science fiction and fantasy author, George R.R. Martin. The novel is the first book in Martin’s best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of high fantasy novels. That series is also the basis for the award-winning and popular HBO television series, “Game of Thrones.”
George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones is a planned 24-issue comic book series. Science fiction and fantasy novelist, Daniel Abraham, who sometimes collaborates with Martin on fiction, adapts the novel into comic book form. Artist Tommy Patterson draws A Game of Thrones the comic book, with Ivan Nunes coloring the art. I have read and reviewed A Game of Thrones the comic book series via three volumes of A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Bantam Books’ hardcover reprint of the Dynamite comic book series.
George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones #19 opens with Lord Tyrion Lannister (the dwarf) in the company of his new allies, the mountain men, who are suspicious of him. He has promised these warrior clansmen much. Now, they ride to the Trident where Tyrion will meet his father, Lord Tywin Lannister, and try to complete the bargains he made. Will Tywin go along with a son for whom he really does not care?
Meanwhile, Robb Stark, son of the imprisoned Lord Eddard Stark, marches to meet the Lannisters, but to reach them, he needs the Crossing which will take him to Riverrun. However, Walder Frey, Lord of the Crossing, has not given his permission, allowing Stark’s forces to cross. Now, Lady Catelyn Stark, wife of Eddard and mother of Robb, must find a way to make someone who is supposed to be an ally act like an ally.
Prior to reading A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume 1, I was not familiar with A Game of Thrones, although I had heard of the television series. I did not even know that the novel was being adapted into comic book form until Random House sent me a review copy of the first graphic novel in early 2012. Since I have enjoyed the graphic novel collections so much, I have been planning on reading individual issues of Dynamite Entertainment’s series. As luck would have it, I happened to be visiting a comic book store the week George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones #19 was released. [A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume 3 concluded with issue #18]
As I have with the collections, I thoroughly enjoyed #19. Daniel Abraham and Tommy Patterson are not producing a slap-dash licensed product. This comic book is filled with the kind of character details that enrich the story. It does not matter how big a scene is or how many characters are involved, Abraham makes every bit of dialogue matter and every scene important to moving the narrative.
Patterson’s compositions transport readers to another world. It may not be anyone else version of A Game of Thrones, but Patterson makes you believe that his art is not just a depiction, but is an actual world brought to life. Ivan Nunes’ colors add the extra bit of spark that makes the drama vivid.
George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones #19 is not just a good fantasy comic book; it is a good comic book – period. I wish other fantasy authors were so luck to have Daniel Abraham and Tommy Patterson adapting their novels to comic book form.
A
www.DYNAMITE.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
No comments:
Post a Comment