Dragon Age: The Silent Grove (Dark Horse)

Dragon Age: The Hidden Grove #3

Writer: Alexander Freed, David Gaider
Artist:Chad Hardin
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Cover Artist:Nick Thornborrow, Ramil Sunga

A digital exclusive from Dark Horse and billed as an essential addition to the Dragon Age canon. Of course with David Gaider, Lead Writer of Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II laying down the story that would be expected. The story opens on the open sea as Alistair, Isabella, and Varric continue the quest Alistair began to learn the fate of his father, King Maric.

After having freed Maric's cellmate, Alistair and company learn that a witch of the wilds had freed Maric already. Alistair thinks Flemeth, but this is a different witch. With none of the crew willing to enter the swamps that are the witch's domain, Alistair, Varric, and Isabella go it alone. And encounter a dragon. And NOT one of the little ones.

The characters ring true to how they were in the games as should be expected and Hardin does a very good job on the art.... get this guy some some Conan work! And speaking of the characters, although it is a small group, it is an interesting mix. Perhaps this formula could be used for more Dragon Age comics?

An enjoyable issue and strong addition to the franchise. Here's hoping for more of similar quality. Overall a 4 out of 5.

DRAGON AGE: THE SILENT GROVE #1 (DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE)

CREATORS

Writer: Alexander Freed, David Gaider
Artist: Chad Hardin
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Cover Artist: Anthony Palumbo

It's the first issue of the digital exclusive series, Dragon Age: The Silent Grove. And yes, it's canon and matters with the series lead writer David Gaider working on the story. And yes, I've already reviewed issues 3 and 4 before this issue and 2. Could be like Todd McFarlane way back in the early days of Spawn, I can't count... OR could just be I read 3 and 4 first. Regardless of which, we're looking at ish 1 now.

I have something of a gripe with this issue, and it's not so much that something is bad or wrong as there seems to be a missed opportunity. Now it could be that I blinked in the middle of a scene of Dragon Age II, missed a DLC, or something... but I don't recall Alistair meeting Isabella and Varric before. Much less getting on well enough with them that they would go to Antiva with him on a possible suicide run. Sure, he's a king and they like money. Sure, not all stories need be told. And sure, there is a gap between this and the first game, to the tune of almost a decade. And while that might be nonessential to this story, the gathering of the company in a fantasy quest is part of the story. Maybe a lost chapter for the upcoming hardcover collected edition?

Alistair skulks around Antiva on his quest, runs afoul of some guards who must be put down. Then we find Varric and Isabella are in Antiva with him and put down the stragglers. Alistair even refers to Isabella as an old acquaintance... of sorts. There's a story in there somewhere. Nice tease.

Our intrepid heroes are plotting a raid on the archives of the Crows. And Alistair ends up being the butt of jokes from Isabella and Varric. Continuing the tradition of ribbing that he gets.

Alistair's narrative monologue is spot on characterizing him and giving info to newcomers in broadstrokes. He introduces his companions and then himself. "As for me? I'm the king that shouldn't be. And I've missed walking into death with the wrong people at my side."

Isabella and Varric dismantle a plethora of traps with names that sound like some of Iron Fist's moves. Thief's Folly. Wheel of Liquid Pain. Fire Fountain. Tooth of the Serpent. Falling Mountain. Poison Wind. Seems the building is what is called a Dragon's Creche... building designed to kill loaded with traps built by dwarves and taking decades to construct.

Alistair gets to peek at the records of the Crows. Then Prince Claudio Valisti and several guards show up. And let them go. Things get complicated. Isabella's past gets brought up. Zevran is referenced. And nothing is as it seems in Antiva.

And we find out Alistair is in Antiva to break into a Crow prison... Velabanchel.

Grey Wardens and long odds, huh?

All in all, a well balanced issue. Right mix of drama, action, and suspense. But what's the story of how they all met up? 4 out 5.

DRAGON AGE: THE SILENT GROVE #5 (DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE)

CREATORS

Writer: Alexander Freed, David Gaiderx
Artist: Chad Hardin
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh

And here's issue 5! Varric and the wounded Isabella go to Yavana for help. Does anything good come from asking a Witch of the Wilds for aid? And don't flip to fast past the splash page. Hardin does some pretty work with the dragons on the walls in the temple...

Isabella's direct approach doesn't bear fruit. The ever crafty Varric strikes a deal. You'd think he'd know better, but desperate times and all that. Wounds magically disappear, and Varric and Isabella depart to make with a rescue.

Cue a scene change to Claudio's camp. Claudio likes to gloat and reveals he wants the dragon alive and is working for someone other than the Crows. I'd expect Dragon Age III to expand on that. Varric introduces several Crows to Bianca.

Then it's Isabella versus Claudio as we get more info of Isabella's past. Isabella wants Claudio dead. Alistair wants him alive as he answers about Maric. Good thing Yavana shows up and can raise the dead...

Hardin does a rather good job with this issue on the art. Good detail and rendering. A variety of page layouts. And dynamic action scenes. Only gripe I have in that regard is how Isabella seems to float in midleap as Claudio makes a speech. One of the limits of comics. Or easy traps to fall into.

All in all, still a solid entry to the series. And this one more tense and action packed than most. A 4 out of 5.