DRAGON AGE: BLUE WRAITH #2, out February 19th from Dark Horse Comics, continues the tale full of legend and magic. Grim is the setting for this issue, as characters seek to complete their own quests, be it revenge, capturing a relic, or freeing loved ones.
***SPOILER WARNING***
Fans of the Dragon Age video games likely have made a note of this series and with good reason. This series has brought back the infamous Blue Wraith, along with several other fan favorites from other comic series.
That means there’s a lot of fun – and drama – to be had here. After all, the events that occur in Dragon Age can be grim, as characters fight for their lives and freedom left and right. Dragon Age: Blue Wraith is a series that touches upon concepts such as revenge and desperation, in ways that wholly suit the franchise we love so much.
The Plot
It currently feels like there are several plots winding around one another in Dragon Age: Blue Wraith #2. While there’s little doubt that they’ll all eventually come together, it is doing an excellent job of showing complex storytelling. It’s also a strong reminder of how much can be happening at any given moment in the world of Dragon Age.
Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir were the authors involved in this issue, and it’s thanks to them that we’ve been handed such a complex story. There are so many characters involved, each with their own goal and desire.
It’s really no surprise then that this is a fast-paced issue. There’s no room for downtime here, as there’s seemingly always something happening. Thankfully, while there is a lot of information passed to the reader, it never once feels like an info-dump. Instead, it reads as something more organic, thanks to the use of flashbacks and character conversations.
What is shocking is how intense the plot has gotten, and so quickly. There’s really no avoiding the stakes at hand, or what certain characters have had to do in order to get to this point. When you think about it, that is one of the many reasons fans have been drawn to this franchise in the first place. So it’s appropriate to see it here.
The Art
Dragon Age: Blue Wraith #2 is full of dramatic artwork, fight scenes, and magic. It makes for an all-around feast for the eyes. You can tell that the artists really enjoyed portraying some of these scenes, as it feels like a lot of attention has been paid to the details.
Magic is a fickle thing, lending towards flash and brilliant scenes, while also sometimes being more difficult to portray. But that balance has been struck here. There are a few scenes in particular that really stand out here — one of which being an example of how the Blue Wraith got his nickname.
Fernando Heinz Furukawa’s lines are ideal for this series. Their style is on point with the series as a whole, especially in regards to the different races portrayed and the magic they carry. Meanwhile, Michael Atiyeh’s colors are truly striking. They made excellent use of the white space available to really make certain scenes and expressions pop. Finally, Nate Piekos (of Blambot) did a fantastic job with the lettering. They’re so simple and understated that for a moment, you could forget that the balloons are even present.
In Conclusion
Dragon Age: Blue Wraith #2 was an enthralling read. This was an issue that wasn’t afraid to show the darker side of conflicts. The pacing makes it easy to stay invested in this series, while also making it impossible to predict what will happen next. One thing is certain; it will be interesting to see how the series wraps up, given that there’s only one issue left.
