Dark Horse Comics 2018
Written by Aleksandra Motyka
Adaptation by Travis Currit
Illustrated by Marianna Strychowska
Coloured by Lauren Affe
Lettered by Steve Dutro
After arriving in an enigmatic location by mistake, and being forced to hide their identities, Geralt and Dandelion find themselves faced with an impossible task. Concurrently, Geralt's attention is drawn to a series of strange episodes surrounding the King's concubines. Will the duo be able to solve the palace's dilemma, as well as their own, and secure their safety and freedom?
When I read the first issue that would lead this to be a franchise I fell in love with Geralt immediately and the fact that this is taken from a video game just goes to show that you can flesh out pre-made worlds in the perfect of ways. This is one of those rare franchises that feels unique and set apart from a large crowd. It has elements of many different genres and like a master baker all these different ingredients are put together to make the most flavourful and unique experience. While Dark Horse may not love me I certainly love that they put out stories like this that are able to transport us to a new world both familiar and strange.
I really like the way that this book is structured. There is a fair amount of information and material that we see which completely unexpected and those elements make for some incredible reading. Then of course there is the characterisation here which is beyond expectations and I have to say that Prince Dandelion in his purple attire, which I'd so rock today, tomorrow whenever and I’m serious about that, is one of those characters we love to hate and hate to love. His presence and his attempts are things to worry about and I am sorry but I'd love him to be gay, regardless his speech patterns and how he presents himself is utterly marvellous to see.
Now that the pair find themselves in this kingdom who’s language is in a much different pattern is really nice communicated to the reader. It has a certain appeal and is something we can universally understand so to have been able to do this so well impresses me with the skill level. This helps the reader feel more like you are a part of the story, involved in some way almost akin to watching that show on television that you binge in one night which you cannot get out of your head.
The interiors here are rather fetching if I may say so. I love the linework and how it’s utilised through the varying weights to bring us that size and scope to the story while fleshing out the look and feel of the characters. The faces and facial expressions are so integral to helping the story here as well. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a stellar eye for storytelling. How backgrounds are utilised is subtle and unassuming as well as bold and blending. The colour work here gorgeous Dandelion’s purple with that pattern sigh, the way the colours are used to bring texture to the book is superb.
This series is bloody brilliant as it has all that action/adventure, intrigue & mystery that you can handle and then some. There are undertones of romance or at least what should be romance but then again that’s also part of the problem here. Sigh never trust a woman seeking wealth and power or you can end up on Mata Hari’s list or a victim of a Black Widow. With everything that we see and everything we don’t is what makes this such a great series, franchise, to read. This has become a must have/read franchise, a staple of you reading lists and if it’s not you’d better check it out because it should be.